Stephen Chalmers

First Friday got lost in the holiday shuffle this month, but there are several interesting shows opening this weekend. Newspace is featuring the work of photographers Stephen Chalmers and Nan Brown. Chalmers explores "psychologically charged spaces... while he coolly detaches such imagery from its popular tropes." His series Transience depicts Snowbirds, and the culture surrounding full time RV habitation. Brown's work looks at a similar American subculture. Trailers Collected depicts "the individualism and freedom intrinsic to American rural life," combating the trailer trash stereotype with an honest look into the diverse community of trailer owners and travelers.

Opening reception • 7-10pm • January 9
Newspace Center for Photography • 1632 SE 10th • 503.963.1935




Micah Malone's A Humble Unfettering opens this weekend at PSU's Autzen Gallery. Malone's work examines what it means to make a living as an artist. He seeks to be "unfettered" from the restrictive notion that "artistic integrity is inextricably linked to an avoidance of economic gain." It's an issue of particular relevance in a time when even the security of traditional "day jobs" has been called into question. As we rebuild the economy, can we find a place for the creative arts that does not economically sideline the role of artists?

Opening reception • 6-8pm • January 10
PSU Autzen Gallery • 724 SW Harrison St. • Neuberger Hall 2nd Floor Room 205



Jason Traeger

Over at PSU's MK Gallery, Jason Traeger presents Firewood. These new paintings seek to be meaningful without providing an answer: "We talk about parts and the way the parts relate to the whole. If you pay attention-to-attention you'll have an even harder time deciding, 'how it is' and just what it is this group of paintings might mean."

Opening reception • 6-8pm • January 10
PSU MK Gallery • 2000 SW 5th Ave • Art Building 2nd Floor Room 210



Helen Frankenthaler, "Tahiti," 1989

Mixographia: Innovation and Collaboration opens at PAM this weekend. Founded in 1968 in Mexico City by Luis and Lea Remba, Mixographia was originally a workshop for fine art prints. The workshop led to the development of a unique process yielding three-dimensional prints with fine surface detail, dubbed "Mixografia" to reflect the combination of graphic materials and processes. Selected from the workshop's archives, this exhibition features nearly 45 objects by 24 American, European, Latin American, and Asian artists who have collaborated with the Rembas, including John Baldessari, Helen Frankenthaler, Ed Ruscha, and more. Mixografia co-founder Luis Remba and Technical Director Shaye Remba will be speaking about the history of the workshop this Sunday at the museum.

Exhibition • January 10 - April 26
Lecture • 2pm • January 11
Portland Art Museum • 1219 SW Park • 503.226.2811