As we transition away from our old location and into 2010, we’re gearing up for our winter and spring Pop-Up Shows. In February, we will showcase the 3rd Annual 100 Bones Show, which features BB family artists with new works all priced under $100. The location will be announced next month, and it’s very ‘interesting’ so stay tuned! Into the spring we will begin our more intimate Supper Shows so keep an eye for a goold old fashioned invitation in your mailbox.

Happy New Year from all of us at Breeze Block and of course, Awesome the cat.

19Ten at The Hope and Vine, is a new North Portland gallery curated by our good friend Blaine Fontana.  Tonight launches a solo show by Portland based artist Jesse Reno. If you haven’t seen the space yet, it’s been beautifully renovated and is quite possibly one of the nicest up and coming art spots in town.

SAT. JAN. 2ND 6 – 9 pm

1910 N Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97217
503.954.3322

Show runs:
January 2nd – January 28th
*available by appointment after opening

Art dealer and advisor, Chrissy Crawford (chrissycrawford.com), interviewed Paige about Breeze Block, the art market, and future projects. Chrissy recently asked Paige to be a curator on her new online gallery ArtStar.com, which will launch in early 2010.

Chrissy: Why do you move Breeze Block every year?
Paige: Call me crazy, but even before I owned Breeze Block I moved almost every year. I guess it’s become a habit that I now find refreshing, inspiring, and necessary for progress in life and business. As I always say, creation should never be stagnant. Relocating and reinventing ourselves brings our community together to help out and define the future of the gallery. It’s all about family, you know?

Chrissy: What’s your current perspective on the art market?
Paige: The beauty of the art market is that it’s constantly changing. I think art dealers and curators need to think outside the box about how to sell art and help artists make a living. In many ways, the traditional gallery setting art shows in the same location every month has become stagnant and archaic. You know how we all used to have house phones but now everyone uses cell phones? Selling artwork is evolving in the same way: breaking out of the confines of (gallery) walls. I’m enthusiastic about inventive ways of bringing artwork to the public, such as tightly themed pop-up shops, events at weird locations, and collaborative projects. The point is to get the art to as many eyes as possible (this is what creates culture!), and gallery walls are not the only way to do that.

Chrissy: What upcoming projects should we expect from you?
Paige: I’ve been really inspired by kind of off-the-wall ways of selling art (pun intended). One of our first projects is called Supper Shows, which will be a series of by-invitation dinner parties showcasing specific artists. Not only will the artwork be curated, but the guests and venue will be intimately curated, ensuring a fabulous night of eating, drinking, and art viewing! With current online over saturation, Supper Shows are a personable and authentic way to engage with artwork. I’m also working with allies at Portland Mural Defense to create a map and website of Portland’s best murals in town. And VERY exciting is of course curating my show on your site, ARTSTAR.com, launching in early 2010…Chrissy, you’re an art dealer genius!