Portland Galleries to Watch- Elle Gallery
a series highlighting spots that bring Portland to life
While it may feel impossible to get to every gallery in Portland, there are some spaces I feel issue an open call for everyone to visit. Elle gallery, a beautiful space downtown at 207 SW Pine St, was introduced to me by the owner Lauren Lesueur. We met at Hide and Seek Gallery in north Portland, another favorite gallery of mine. She invited me to see “No One Cries When A Flower Dies,” Lesueur’s own work. It’s rare for gallery owners to showcase their selves, so I was curious what the installation would be like. While I took my sweet time learning the gallery existed, the gallery just passed its’ one year anniversary in June.
The show featured printed statements arranged on a wall, tapestry, and live flowers as a performance element. The show statement read, “I think art is in the way you live your life. The way you communicate your perspective and the ability to present your truest form. This show is an ode to my fathers for the conversations I wish to have and the thoughts I never shared.” The show left plenty of space to ponder and turn introspective and think what should the audience not leave unsaid. What should be kept secret, even though openness was the goal? Is there something intrinsic to the father dynamic that makes it difficult to form words? Everyone that wandered into the gallery and read the statements had their own unique experience with it. Maybe it didn’t make them ponder words left unsaid at all, emphasizing the present moment.
I’ve been to see the last four Elle exhibits, and not only is Lauren so welcoming, but the artists that exhibit are such warm people. Some friends and I fell into a conversation (at Nationale gallery) about how it’s not always a positive experience to meet the artist. I feel spoiled to have never met a pretentious artist, or if they were they hid it from me. The shows done so far by kind artists at Elle have ranged from interior design to paintings to pieces that are collaborative with the public. Fans range from adults to their prospective kids- one show featured an artist that made her work in tandem with her children.
The space may seem cozy, but there are several attached rooms that are sometimes open when the gallery hosts events. The natural light that comes through the arched windows is absolutely gorgeous. Stay tuned for their hosted events, by the way. There’s been everything from a hair show to dinners to painting pottery.
I’ve both run into people I knew and made new connections here, so I’d definitely say it’s a spot to look out for. The art is appealing if you’re always open to something new, and having a wide variety of experiences.
The gallery also has a gift store, which shape shifts depending on the exhibition. The shop features handmade pottery, some clothing, tote bags, and accessories. Each element is tied to a local artist in some way.
Elle is a beautiful collaborative space, and I hope to run into you there.
Until Next Time,
Alice