PORT and Portland's art scene had a particularly good year in 2007 with a general expansion of interesting new venues, artists and greater national exposure all around. In fact, weve had so much exposure outside of the city that Portlander's have begun to refer the national media as stalkers. Even PORT ended up in Art in America.

PORT Scoops.. here are just some major stories where we were the first Portland publication to break the news:

The New American Art Union's stipend shows, which were later dubbed Couture when the final selectee's were announced

PNCA makes it's bid for the 511 building, possibly the most important growth opportunity for art in Portland in the past 60 years. Other media have been playing catch up to what could be the biggest story of 2008 as well.

MK Guth selected for the 2008 Whitney Biennial

Portland Art Museum acquired several nice contemporary objects including a fine Judy Chicago and a really nice Gene Davis (we were the only Portland publication to mention these... but then again we are focused purely on art... so there you have it)

Here are some of my favorite articles from the past year:

Storm Tharp's fairly amazing breakthrough show... watch for it in our upcoming "best of" 2007 post

Portland's Aerial Tram opens

Interviews with Elliot Erwitt and Terry Winters

Amusingly controversial shows like Kehinde Wiley and The Hook Up

I think I liked the analysis around LA's Edens Edge show more than the actual show (except for the amazing Jason Rhoades which really delivered)

Reed College's Cooley Gallery re-opens after renovations

Robert Irwin's retrospective in San Diego

Several trips out to Linfield College's hard to get to but exciting exhibition program

Camouflage and Chris Johanson at the Portland Art Museum

William Kentridge at Lewis and Clark College

Very excited to see your best of 2007
I for one was happy to see the co-op emerge from the shadows. The Edward O'Hare and Kimber Shiroma shows at Gallery 114 were quite impressive and lacked any serious press this year. Strong shows from newer talents.

I must protest... and agree. Kimber Shiroma did have a great show and maybe you missed our
rather in-depth Kimber Shiroma review

I did miss the Kimber Shiroma review. Thanks.
I just found out about this site from a friend.
I'm not certain what you're protesting. I thought they were both strong showings. I was more drawn to the Shiroma show, but felt there was a narrative in the O'Hare show that held my interest. Never heard of either before and met both of them at the gallery. Interesting people to say the least. I went back to see the shows a couple times, something I rarely do of late. Sadly I found out that Shiroma's show did not sell at all. And I was told that O'Hare sold more that month than any other artist at that gallery spanning the past couple years. A testament to something I suppose.

Just protesting the non-fact that shiroma was completely overlooked.

curious to see more