In 1909 the Portland Art Museum opened a school at its new, modest location at SW Fifth and Taylor offering day and evening instruction for adults and Saturday classes for young people.
Pacific Northwest College of Art
Each week Oregon Experience shares a photo highlighting the state’s diverse, exciting history.
Artists are drawn to modern-day Portland, which has a vibrant, flourishing art scene boasting at least 80 galleries. At the turn of the 19th century, Portland’s art scene was just burgeoning — the most popular style being plein air art — realistic paintings of nature done on location in the open air.
In 1909 the Portland Art Museum School opened, introducing students to a diversity of styles and hundreds of artists. Over the years, many of Oregon's best-known artists have been affiliated with the school, which is known today as the Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Watch the Oregon experience documentary “The Art Makers” to learn more about Harry Wentz’s influence on Oregon’s modern art movement.
This series is in partnership with The Oregon Historical Society