Seven Not-To-Miss Art Experiences in Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley

If you love art, you’ve come to the right place. Salem and the surrounding area is thriving with buzzy museums, local galleries and outdoor art that’s sure to inspire. In addition to Salem’s Public Art Walking Tour and the First Friday events held each month, spring is a particularly vibrant time to peruse the art scene, as it’s bursting with creativity. Check out this curated list of must-visit art exhibits and venues in the Mid-Willamette Valley:

4/17/2023

Hallie Ford Museum of Art

See What the Salem Art Association Is Up To

This wonderful nonprofit is responsible for the exhibits you’ll find at Bush Barn Art Center and Bush House Museum, and for the annual Salem Art Fair, happening July 21 - 23 in Bush’s Pasture Park. In April, you won’t want to miss artist Kathryn Cellerini Moore’s “Stellular” exhibit at Bush Barn Art Center. The show is a “kaleidoscopic soup” that combines microscopic creatures, undersea volcanic scenes, and galactic nebulae in order to spark environmental awareness.

Explore the Exhibits at Hallie Ford Museum of Art

Located in downtown Salem, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art is Oregon’s third-largest fine-arts museum and offers more than 9,000 works showcasing everything from regional Native American art to global works. In addition to the museum’s “Hidden Histories: Artifacts of Daily Life in the Ancient World” exhibit through April 22, don’t miss the “Ends of the Earth” augmented-reality exhibit from Willamette University art faculty member Ranran Fan, April 15 - May 20. The artist will discuss her work April 14, followed by the exhibit’s opening reception.

Artists in Action Hosts a Show at Elsinore Gallery

This Salem-based nonprofit is hosting its annual spring signature exhibit at Elsinore Fine Art Gallery, April 7 - 29. This year’s theme is “Essence of Spring” and includes 24 local artists and 62 original works revolving around the season of renewal, color and hope. The opening night reception coincides with Salem’s First Friday events on April 7, so pop in and see what the art community in Salem has been up to all winter.

Soak Up Modern Art at Salem on the Edge

When artist Melanie Weston opened this downtown Salem gallery in 2020, she sensed the area was on the cusp of a cultural awakening — and she was right. Today, the modern gallery represents over 20 Oregon artists and rotates works every month so you’ll always find something new. In April, the gallery will feature the still-life art of Zue Stevenson and the gouache paintings of artist Sarah Wentz.

Explore Art and Sculpture at the Salem Convention Center

Not only is the Salem Convention Center one of Oregon’s top event facilities, it’s also home to a carefully curated and engaging collection of public art and an outdoor sculpture garden. Admission is free to peruse contemporary works created by renowned local and regional artists such as Native American artist Rick Bartow and Oregon artist James Hanen. One of the center’s newest art acquisitions, “Home Pool,” an enormous oil painting by Oregon artist Richard Thompson, is a must-see.

Visit River Art Gallery in Historic Independence

April 6 - April 30, this locally owned gallery in the town of Independence will be showing “By Hand and By Sea,” a collection of fabric art and seascapes by local artist Cynthia Herron. The work represents Herron’s record of life over the past two years, when she took comfort in hand-stitching and sketching along the Oregon coast. Catch the artist talk and opening reception April 8. In May, see art from Chris Hannegan and the much-anticipated “Wild Women” exhibit launches June 1, showcasing local work that portrays the female spirit.

Pop Into Lunaria Gallery and See the Murals in Silverton

Located in the charming Silverton historic district, Lunaria Gallery is an artist cooperative that showcases contemporary work in diverse media from both established and emerging local artists. The gallery features new art each month and, in April, you can catch "Expressions in Color," an exhibition of pastel and oil paintings by artist Jane Castelan Buccola and "The Doors of PDX,” a photography exhibit by Cathy Cheney. Meet the artists during First Friday events, and then peruse the town’s celebrated outdoor murals that explore local heritage, industry, natural beauty, and more.