Sitka Art Invitational
October 16-18, 2026 11am to 5pm
at Oregon Contemporary
8371 N. Interstate Avenue
Portland OR 97217
Join us for a juried exhibition showcasing 100 regional artists with more than 300 works inspired by nature and ecology.
Admission is FREE. All donations support Sitka’s nonprofit programs promoting arts and nature access for all.
Art scavenger hunt for kids.
Live music.
Casual conversations with artists.
32nd Annual Sitka Art Invitational
Learn more about this year’s participating artists HERE.
The first hour of the public exhibit, Friday, October 16 from 10:00 – 11:00am, is open to Sitka Center members only. You can become a member HERE.
Many exhibiting artists come to the gallery during open hours for casual conversations with exhibit-goers. Artists wear orange name-tags, so they’re easy to spot.
Look for the artist conversation schedule here in October and follow us on Instagram for updates.
Look for the artist conversation schedule here in October and follow us on Instagram for updates.
Volunteers help make the Sitka Art Invitational possible. We need volunteers for the following jobs:
DOCENTS enjoy art and people. Docents wear a Sitka apron and carry a clipboard with printed information about Sitka and the exhibition. They make visitors welcome, help them find particular artwork and facilitate sales.
GREETERS welcome exhibit-goers, answer questions, accept donations and track visitor numbers.
SHIFT TIMES:
Friday 10/16/26 EARLY: 9:30am – 1:30pm, LATE: 1:15 – 5:00pm
Saturday 10/17/26 EARLY: 10:30am – 2:00pm, LATE: 1:45 – 5:00pm
Sunday 10/18/26 EARLY: 10:30am – 2:00pm, LATE: 1:45 – 5:00pm
Interested? Please email gillianfreney@sitkacenter.org to learn more. Thank you!
DOCENTS enjoy art and people. Docents wear a Sitka apron and carry a clipboard with printed information about Sitka and the exhibition. They make visitors welcome, help them find particular artwork and facilitate sales.
GREETERS welcome exhibit-goers, answer questions, accept donations and track visitor numbers.
SHIFT TIMES:
Friday 10/16/26 EARLY: 9:30am – 1:30pm, LATE: 1:15 – 5:00pm
Saturday 10/17/26 EARLY: 10:30am – 2:00pm, LATE: 1:45 – 5:00pm
Sunday 10/18/26 EARLY: 10:30am – 2:00pm, LATE: 1:45 – 5:00pm
Interested? Please email gillianfreney@sitkacenter.org to learn more. Thank you!
–Oregon Contemporary is located at 8371 N. Interstate in Portland. The entrance is in the courtyard on the east side of the building, off N. McClellan.
-Street parking is free.
-Oregon Contemporary is just across Interstate Avenue from the MAX Yellow line’s Kenton/N. Denver stop.
-Street parking is free.
-Oregon Contemporary is just across Interstate Avenue from the MAX Yellow line’s Kenton/N. Denver stop.
Join us in the gallery for live music, sponsored by a generous gift from W. Gregory and Rosanne B. Berton.
Friday, October 16, 1:00 – 2:30
The Galway Ramblers
Irish music trio Joe Reidy, Geraldine Murray and Nancy Conescu bring their vibrant take on contemporary Celtic music to the Invitational. Enjoy lively fiddle, banjo, guitar and whistle from these exciting musicians, new to the show this year.
Saturday, October 17, 2:00 – 4:00
Central Coast Jazz Alliance
The Central Coast Jazz Alliance is led by composer and guitarist Bill Hartsell. Members include trumpeter John Bringetto, saxophonist Matt White, drummer Dr. Sandy Schaefer and bassist Gregory Berton. The band performs a variety of jazz styles including traditional standards, modern mainstream, latin and soul, as well as original compositions. They were featured at the 2022 Oregon Coast Jazz Party, playing with Randy Porter, Karla Harris, Terrel Stafford, and Holly Hofmann. Together they bring over 150 years of jazz education, performance and experience.
Sunday, October 18, Noon – 1:30
Thomas Meinzen and Iro & the Moon
Thomas Meinzen’s original music compositions interweave human and natural soundscapes with transcribed bird songs and live music. He strives to develop music and writing that conveys the emotional depth and complexity of the natural world and inspires active care for the rich and varied life on our planet.
Iro and the Moon is the music project of Christian Orellana Bauer who is an interdisciplinary musician, poet, visual artist and filmmaker. Weaving sound, storytelling, and a bit of humor through layers of gentle melancholy melodies and lyrics they explore themes of joy, loneliness, race, language, cultural belonging, ancestral reconnection and more in their music. Christian and Thomas were both Sitka residents in 2024.
Sunday, October 18, 2:00 – 4:00
Djangophiles
Influenced by the famous Gypsy Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, the Djangophile trio includes violinist James Mason and guitarists Hyung Nam and David Stassens playing Le Jazz Hot music together since 2004.
Friday, October 16, 1:00 – 2:30
The Galway Ramblers
Irish music trio Joe Reidy, Geraldine Murray and Nancy Conescu bring their vibrant take on contemporary Celtic music to the Invitational. Enjoy lively fiddle, banjo, guitar and whistle from these exciting musicians, new to the show this year.
Saturday, October 17, 2:00 – 4:00
Central Coast Jazz Alliance
The Central Coast Jazz Alliance is led by composer and guitarist Bill Hartsell. Members include trumpeter John Bringetto, saxophonist Matt White, drummer Dr. Sandy Schaefer and bassist Gregory Berton. The band performs a variety of jazz styles including traditional standards, modern mainstream, latin and soul, as well as original compositions. They were featured at the 2022 Oregon Coast Jazz Party, playing with Randy Porter, Karla Harris, Terrel Stafford, and Holly Hofmann. Together they bring over 150 years of jazz education, performance and experience.
Sunday, October 18, Noon – 1:30
Thomas Meinzen and Iro & the Moon
Thomas Meinzen’s original music compositions interweave human and natural soundscapes with transcribed bird songs and live music. He strives to develop music and writing that conveys the emotional depth and complexity of the natural world and inspires active care for the rich and varied life on our planet.
Iro and the Moon is the music project of Christian Orellana Bauer who is an interdisciplinary musician, poet, visual artist and filmmaker. Weaving sound, storytelling, and a bit of humor through layers of gentle melancholy melodies and lyrics they explore themes of joy, loneliness, race, language, cultural belonging, ancestral reconnection and more in their music. Christian and Thomas were both Sitka residents in 2024.
Sunday, October 18, 2:00 – 4:00
Djangophiles
Influenced by the famous Gypsy Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, the Djangophile trio includes violinist James Mason and guitarists Hyung Nam and David Stassens playing Le Jazz Hot music together since 2004.
Sitka Art Invitational artists are selected by an annually rotating jury of artists, curators, gallerists and art educators. To nominate an artist (including yourself) check back HERE for a nomination form, which is posted from December through February each year. Invitations to selected artists are extended in the Spring.
Our office is closed from October 15 – October 19. Email the Exhibit Coordinator at gillianfreney@sitkacenter.org if you need to reach us in that timeframe.
During Sitka’s normal office hours, reach us at 541-994-5485, info@sitkacenter.org
During Sitka’s normal office hours, reach us at 541-994-5485, info@sitkacenter.org
We invite you to participate in our sponsorship program or learn more about sponsor benefits. Please consider sponsoring this beloved annual event. For more information please contact info@sitkacenter.org.