If there ever was a month that art ruled Portland, September would have to be it. The galleries are packed with top-notch exhibitions, independent curators are creating site-specific exhibitions, TBA takes over the 9th through the 18th and the Affair at the Jupiter Hotel kicks off on the 30th. For those who share Seaplane's "vision of fashion as art", there's even the Collections next week offering a heady roster of exclusive studio and runway shows. You almost can't go wrong, no matter where you end up. We recommend the Willamette Week for a comprehensive listing of all gallery exhibitions but here's a few picks for First Thursday:

 Inertia 2005 at Gallery 500

Gallery 500 presents Inertia 2005, an exhibition juried by our own Jeff Jahn featuring 13 of the freshest emerging artists from across the nation. Expect giant chickens, Wal-Mart receipts, vinyl upholstery, and "the dangerous intersection of knitting and power tools". From what I've seen so far, this should be a good 'un.
Opening Reception • 6p to midnight
Gallery 500 • 420 SW Washington, Suite 500 • Tel. 503.223.3951

PNCA presents Troca Brasil. Read Isaac's post from yesterday for an overview of the exhibition with preliminary photos.
Opening Reception • 6 to 9p
PNCA • 1241 NW Johnson St • Tel. 503.226.4391 

Pulliam Deffenbaugh presents Bay Area Bazaar, a massive group show of 50 curated by Laurie Reed. "Reid has assembled a group based on friendship and time spent working together—either as students, colleagues or theatre/writing cohorts." The result is an impressive collection of work from some of SF's finest.
Opening Reception • 5:30 to 8:30p
Pulliam Deffenbaugh • 522 NW 12th Ave. Portland •  Tel. 503.228.6665

 Carson Ellis at Motel

Motel presents Works in Pen and Ink by Carson Ellis. This solo exhibition includes pen and ink drawings on paper featuring Ellis' signature illustrative style. With a new collection of work anchored by two larger, more ambitious pieces, Ellis continues her obsession with uncommon characters and the scenery of Russia and Ireland. A superb showing by one of Portland's finest up-and-comers.
Opening Reception • 6:30 to 9:30p
Motel • On NW Couch Street, between 5th & 6th Aves • Tel. 503.222.6699

Chambers opens their second exhibition with work by two abstract painters, Sidney Rowe and Agnes Field. Sidney Rowe is a painter who also works through performance, often craftings her works live in front of an audience. Tonight she creates a new piece LIVE at 7pm as part of the exhibition. Also showing is painter/curator Agnes Field with a body of work exploring the local topographies around her studio in Astoria, Oregon.
Opening Reception • 5:30 to 8:30p
Chambers • 207 SW Pine, No.102 • Tel. 503.939.2255.

The Alysia Duckler Gallery opens a photography exhibition by Berlin-based artist, Stefanie Schneider. There is something distinctly Deutsch about these portaits with their overexposed lighting, a color palette of tertiaries, and skin-tight vinyl catsuits; a sort of Barbarella meets Thelma and Louise.
Opening Reception • 6 to 8p
Alysia Duckler • 1236 N.W. Hoyt Street • Tel. 503.223.7595

At Froelick, Stephen O’Donnell presents Galeri des Modes and Still, two series of work on portraiture and the male form. The first is a series of acrylic paintings that allude to the quest of ancient Greek sculptors to carve the perfect physique. The second series uses ink and watercolor to explore dress, costume and this history of fashion.
Opening Reception • 5 to 8:30p
Froelick Gallery • 817 SW Second Avenue • Tel. 503.222.1142

 Sidney Rowe at Chambers