420 NW 9th 
Portland OR 97209 (map)
Phone: 503-224-2634
Website: http://www.blackfish.com/
Blackfish Gallery, though born in 1979, was conceived in 1978. It had a difficult year-long gestation during which its “parents” met weekly to thrash out ideas and plans for their offspring’s future. At that time the number of galleries in Portland could be counted on the fingers of one hand – minus the thumb and possibly the forefinger. There were far too few to accommodate the needs of artists and – the founders hoped – the public. Conditions seemed right for starting a new gallery, a conclusion reached after much individual soul-searching and group discussion. As theoretical talk gave way to facing the practical problems of management, a decision was made to pool resources and establish a cooperative gallery. The primary object, of course was to promote, exhibit, and sell the work of artist-members. In addition, the founders felt the advocacy on behalf of art, especially contemporary art, should be included in the gallery’s mission. To this end they decided to show work by progressive artists from other areas and to sponsor educational events such as panel discussions and artist’s talks. The extraordinary physical and mental energy that went into laying the foundation for both the gallery’s operation and its mission resulted in an unexpected dividend of camaraderie. The close association engendered by their work led to friendships and, as several veterans of that period remember, many good parties.
