Layered Perceptions

Blackfish Gallery's 2026 Portland Metro Exhibition - "Layered Perceptions" opens February 2026 at Blackfish Gallery in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District. This juried exhibition focuses on contemporary art being created in a complex world with an interconnection of experiences, and a multitude of ways to see and process what goes on around us. The exhibition celebrates the vision, layered perceptions, and artistic diversity that energizes artists in the Portland Metropolitan Area. Three regionally renowned Blackfish artists will juror this exhibition: Don Bailey, Angenette Escobar, and Michael Knutson. Each of these artists have deep studio practices and exhibition histories and are life-long arts educators.

The gallery accepts most 2D and 3D mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, digital, original prints, fiber art, collage, mixed media, sculpture, and ceramics. Film, video, and installation art are not accepted. AI-generated images will not be accepted. The submission fee is $35. Artists may submit up to 3 high-quality images of their work, no less than 72 DPI and 800 pixels wide, with images no larger than 5 MB. Images should be cropped to show only the artwork (with exception of 3D work). File names should include: Last Name_First Name_Title, Dimensions_Medium. Submissions must include an artist statement (300-word maximum), an image list with name, title of piece(s), dimensions, medium, and pricing, social media links, and website link.

Artists living and working in the Portland Metropolitan area are invited to submit. This area is defined as Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, and Hood River counties in Oregon, and Clark and Skamania counties in Washington State. Work must arrive at the gallery ready to hang, but framing is not required. Instructions for non-framed work must be included. No substitutions will be accepted after selections are finalized. Exhibition dates: January 8 - January 31, 2026.