Albany's Gallery Calapooia Scores a Perfect “10”

By John Mikkelson

HOW DO YOU MAKE A DREAM INTO REALITY? THAT QUESTION WAS ON THE MINDS OF A GROUP OF ARTISTS FROM THE ALBANY AREA, IN THE MID-WILLAMETTE VALLEY, TEN YEARS AGO.

The talent level and creative drive that existed in the artist community greatly exceeded the opportunities to display artwork in an ongoing gallery setting. Many artists found fleeting opportunities to show and sell their work in seasonal shows or festivals, holiday galleries, or limited-duration exhibitions in select local venues. What was missing was a place where the public could come, week in and week out, and be able to view and purchase art pieces created by artists from their own community. So, these artists got together and pooled their time, funds, ideas, and determination, and created their own cooperative art gallery. Taking advantage of a newly refurbished space in one of the loveliest buildings in the city’s historic downtown, the artists settled on a name that was rooted in Albany’s history. The city was founded in the middle of the 19th century at the confluence of the Willamette and Calapooia

Rivers, and it is the latter that was the inspiration for the gallery’s name: Gallery Calapooia.

(An important historical note: The name “Calapooia” is an alternate phonetic spelling of Kalapuya, one of many tribes of Indigenous peoples who have called this land home for thousands of years. They managed the land for hunting and gathering, and traded with other tribes throughout what is now known as the Willamette River Valley and beyond. This confluence of rivers was as important to their activities as it is for ours, and undoubtedly some of them had prized artwork for sale or trade at this location for centuries before the founding of Albany.)

Those 19 founding artists, of whom 5 remain as members, charted a path for dozens of area artists to be able to fulfill a dream of being a member of an art gallery. In 2018, the gallery celebrated five years in existence, and truthfully that longevity may have come as a bit of a surprise to some people. But the quality and variety of the work those artists created should have reassured them otherwise.

Since that milestone, the gallery has continued to evolve, mature, and improve. Display spaces were expanded, and lighting improvements now better showcase the work. What was initially a gallery that was heavy on two-dimensional offerings has evolved to now feature work from award winning glass artists, woodworkers, ceramic and porcelain artists, textile artists, and jewelers, as well as those artists whose work you would hang on the wall!

The art world is a notoriously difficult one in which to see sustained financial success. When hard times come, art can often be the first thing that consumers decide they can do without. And in the past few years, the phrase “hard times” has taken on a particularly pointed meaning. In March of 2020, like so many other businesses, the gallery closed its doors with no clear sense of when we might reopen. The cooperative nature of our business structure meant that the gallery was ineligible for the kinds of assistance that was a lifeline to so many beloved local businesses. So we hunkered down, tightened our proverbial belts, and made plans for how we might continue as a gal- lery. What we discovered, upon reopening in June of 2020, was just how much our community appreciated what we had come to represent. We don’t simply sell beautiful things; our community involvement runs deeper. Several of our artists serve on Arts Commissions or county Cultural Coalitions. Many volunteer as skilled painters at Albany’s Historic Carousel, a jewel in Albany’s diverse tourism crown. And every February since 2018, we’ve dedicated our two front “Featured Artist” panels to the public in the form of the “Big Show of Little Art”, or as we refer to it, the “8 x 8 show.” Community members may enter artwork that fits an 8” x 8” space, and each year visitors to our gallery are treated to a glimpse of the artistic talent that exists in our community beyond our own member artists. The featured panels are filled with beautiful small works of all kinds! So while it may again come as a surprise to some that an art gallery like ours could survive for ten years (and counting!), the current members are determined – through a combination of quality, imaginative work, an enjoyable space, community involvement, and continued business savvy – to exist as a part of Albany’s vibrant downtown experience for years to come!

This year, the current membership of 21 artists was adamant that this ten-year milestone be celebrated with the community that has enabled the continued success of the gallery. And by “community” we mean both local and farther afield; the gallery has sold works to people hailing from every continent but Antarctica. We routinely find ourselves chatting with shoppers who have made the drive from other parts of Oregon just to enjoy Gallery Calapooia’s unique artistic and shopping appeal! (We are, after all, a 2022 Willamette Living “Best Of” award winner for art!) Our “First Friday” receptions showcasing each month’s featured artist(s) are a staple on “What to do in Albany” lists. So, it’s fitting that the July 7, 2023 First Friday reception be the setting for our 10th anniversary celebration! We will be featuring select works from many past members, as well as the latest work from current members. Catering and other reception details are still being worked out, but you can be assured that it will be worth planning a trip to downtown Albany that evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – or any time, for that matter!

Gallery Calapooia is ADA accessible, and welcomes all visitors. Hours: Tues-Fri, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, and by appointment: (541) 971-5701

Find us at 222 1st Ave West, at www.gallerycalapooia.com, or on Instagram/Facebook: @gallerycalapooia

John Mikkelson, a member artist since Feb 2020, is the current president of Gallery Calapooia’s board of directors, and one of the gallery’s two woodworkers. See some of his latest work in “A River Runs Through Them”, on page 25.