First Thursday

Tonight a few of us went to First Thursday in the Pearl District. If you are unfamiliar with this, it’s when all of the art galleries are open to the public for free. If you’re into art of any type, you would definitely love this. Not only is artwork displayed inside, but outside as well.

Portland thrives in the art department, so on First Thursday everyone and their pets (literally) flood the sidewalks wandering in and out of the galleries. As I walked down the streets today I noticed various types of art.

1: The actual art in the galleries. I really encourage you, if you have the chance, to go to some of these galleries. There is everything from elementary school kids art to magazine cut outs to interpretive videos.

2: Outdoor art. Outside of the galleries are artists who may not have a studio, but still wish to display their work. I think one guy was even selling his techno mixed cd. There’s also a man and a woman who are flamethrowers or something. I’m not too sure what it’s called, but it was neat.

3: The people. You don’t necessarily need to walk into an art gallery to see art. If you just walk down the street and look, in a non-creepy manner, at all of the people walking down the street there’s no way you can miss the art. Each person down there is very unique. Walking one direction is a 20-year-old guy. He’s tattooed from head to toe, has dreaded hair tied back in a ponytail, a “used to be white, but now almost brown” shirt on, and wears a backpack that probably carries most of his life inside. If you take the time, you realize that just like an actual sculptor, painting, or whatever it may be, this guy too has a story behind him. Perhaps I’m pulling this out of nowhere, or maybe you just think I’m crazy, but art is everywhere. You yourself are art...

First Thursday is truly amazing. When you are in Portland, stop by the Pearl District on the first Thursday to be amazed.