For those of you that have followed my art journey from the beginning you might remember that the first time I showed my art in public, apart from class exhibitions in college, was in the Launchpad’s “Facing Fear” show in 2010, and again shortly after during their big crazy 2011 “Portland Love Show”. Their tag line: “featuring new work by local emerging artists” was also their mission. They hosted huge group shows and allowed many people to show for the very first time, including myself. Even their artist contracts were educational, with a blurb at the bottom explaining what a basic contract should include, and encouraged new artists to reuse the contract for other shows if needed, and to not allow themselves to be taken advantage of. All really helpful stuff when you’re first getting started and don’t know what your rights as an artist are.
The Launchpad is closing for good and having one last big group show to celebrate and wrap things up. “On the Edge” is a group show about transition and being on the cusp of change. If you want to come and see one last big show at the Launchpad before it closes it’s doors for good, come to the opening on Friday, July 6th, 6pm-12am. The show will be up from July 6th to the 27th if you can’t come to the opening or like to check out art without the crowds. I’m submitting one of the first paintings I completed when I started this art journey back in 2010 because not only does the painting itself resemble being out of the edge of the world, but I was still of the cusp of becoming an artist at the time. Thanks to a gallery that gave a first-timer a chance to see her art hung in public, I slowly grew confidence in myself and my work and transitioned into a full time artist. Getting your foot in the door of the art world can be hard, and the Launchpad helped new artists with that first step. Portland was lucky to have a space like that, and they will be missed. Good luck to the staff in all your future endeavors!
Click here for the Facebook event page
The Launchpad Gallery – 534 SE Oak St., Portland, Oregon 97214
“On the Edge” Opening Friday July 6th, 6pm-12am