The DeSoto Project, located on the North Park Blocks, unveils to the public this Sunday, July 22nd, with Craft PDX: A Block Party.

PORT takes you on a sneak preview as DeSoto's Museum of Contemporary Craft and accompanying galleries, Blue Sky Gallery, Augen Gallery, Charles A. Hartman Fine Art and Froelick Gallery wrap with final prep for this weekend's private gala and public openings.

- Photography by Sarah Henderson & Amy Bernstein -



DeSoto art patron and developer, Jim Winkler photo by Amy Bernstein

The project is an innovative one spurred by the unusually perceptive initiative of arts patron and developer, Jim Winkler, who created a project where arts entities could own their own spaces and ensure that Portland's current cultural vibrancy would not fall victim to rising rents.

DeSoto is also a step up for The Museum of Contemporary Craft and Blue Sky Gallery who now have greatly enhanced facilities. MCC has a Soho-like historic charm while Blue Sky boasts an awesome Chelsea-slick exhibition space designed by architect Rick Potestio.


The Desoto Project started from a conversation between Winkler (L) and Bruce Guenther (R) Chief Curator of the Portland Art Museum.
photo by Amy Bernstein



Museum of Contemporary Craft

MCC Executive Director, David Cohen, and Board President, Linda Mantel.


MCC Curator, Namita Wiggers. That's the smile of someone who has three days left to install.


A "Merz Bau"-like scene before the big install.


David Cohen (L) and MCC Communications Director, Wendy Miller (C), greet the last of visitors.





Augen Gallery

Augen Gallery owner, Bob Kochs
photo by Amy Bernstein


Augen's decidely more airy and Soho-like gallery space in the historic Desoto Building.





Blue Sky Gallery

Blue Sky impressario and photographer, Christopher Rauschenberg.




A sampling of artwork featured in Blue Sky's Nine Gallery space. Nine is one of the three art spaces at Blue Sky.





Froelick Gallery

Gallery owner, Charles Froelick
photo by Amy Bernstein







Charles A. Hartman Fine Art


Gallery owner, Charles Hartman






The Desoto Project, along with the Ninth street cluster of Elizabeth Leach Gallery, PDX, Pulliam Deffenbaugh, Blackfish, Quality Pictures, Beppu Wiarda, Quintana and Sarah Meig's soon to open Lumber Room solidifies the Pearl District and other parts of NW Portland as the most highly concentrated West Coast cluster of exhibition spaces North of San Francisco. The Desoto is even close to the Chinatown spaces such as The Everett Station Lofts, Rake, the Portland Art Center and the smart Motel gallery.

Even the biggest naysayers can't ignore the fact that a critical mass of galleries seems to have materialized.