Although a few proprietors of galleries featured in Preview operate two premises, Gary Lawrence and his associates currently manage three. Perhaps more unusual, however, is the fact that these exhibition spaces are within easy distance from each other in Oregon state.

Lawrence Gallery, Portland Lawrence Gallery, Salishan Lawrence Gallery, Sheridan

The endeavour began with the 1977 founding of the Lawrence Gallery in Sheridan at 19700 SW Hwy 18, in the lush countryside of wineries and orchards of Willamette County. The first gallery was in a 1902 general store that had been converted into a grange hall. After two major expansions and many renovations this premise is now a 5000 square foot gallery set in a three-acre landscaped sculpture garden, making it the state’s “largest art gallery.”

It includes The Oregon Wine Tasting Room and a restaurant called The Fresh Palate Cafe. The enterprise has catered to a wide variety of tastes from the start when art and craft by 25 northwest coast artists were the main items on the menu. The founders believed that people would love to see original, affordable art in a beautiful rural setting. Beginning at the Lawrence gallery in Portland, then heading off to the Sheridan venue in wine country and finishing with a visit to the third exhibiton space in Salishan makes for a wonderful, relaxing circuit that many who live in the vicinity do regularly.

With the establishment of the 4000 square foot Lawrence gallery in Salishan’s resort country at 7755 Hwy 1010 N in the 1980s and especially, with the 2002 opening of the 14,000 square foot Lawrence gallery at 903 NW Davis St in Portland, the exhibiting needs of 150 “artists in the database” can be accommodated. Regular shows by painters, sculptors and artisans are supplemented with exhibitions that come from a variety of sources and may include internationally recognized practitioners like Miro, Chagall and Picasso. There is also ample room to stage concerts, readings and to book in weddings and other events.

Being exhibited in three venues is an advantage for the regular artists and shows such as the recently mounted exhibition of Picasso’s prints and etching plates draw new audiences and new buyers. Gary Lawrence is proud to say that in addition to remaining true to artists like metal sculptor Marty Eichinger, whose work he has exhibited for decades, there is a desire to discover and promote new talent, for example Amanda Dunbar, a 20-year-old rising star of the Northwest region.

Ann Rosenberg is a freelance curator, critic, and author.