On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11.30 a.m. Joseph Gallivan interviews Christopher Rauschenberg and Kristin Solomon of Blue Sky Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts about the first of five shows commemorating 50 years of the gallery.
Blue Sky co-founder Chris Rauschenberg and Executive Director Kristin Solomon talk about how the gallery was set up by friends in a $40 a month, 125 sq ft storefront in the Pearl District, as a low-key way to show off art photography. It was a time when few U.S. galleries took it seriously as an art form.
Here they discuss the work of long-time favorites such as Ford Gilbreath and Vance Gellert, Blue Sky’s new comprehensive online archive, and the unspooling of Instagram.
Blue Sky 1975 - 1985: The First Ten Years is the first of five “decade” shows over the next year, and runs now until Nov. 1, 2025.
In October 1975, five unemployed but passionate photographers envisioned as a space to exhibit photography. Blue Sky was founded by Robert DiFranco, Craig Hickman, Ann Hughes, Terry Toedtemeier and Christopher Rauschenberg.
From the press release:
Blue Sky is celebrating its 50th birthday with a rooftop party and you are invited! Come celebrate five decades of vision, community, and photography that inspires. All proceeds help support Blue Sky Gallery’s mission to inspire and build community between contemporary photographers and audiences worldwide.
Blue Sky honors its five decades of history with exhibitions and publications. Blue Sky 1975 - 1985: The First Ten Years showcases past and new work from artists who have exhibited in the First decade since Blue Sky’s inception. Guests are encouraged to “dress the decade” during the First Thursday opening for a chance to win door prizes. All prints will be available for purchase at $200, offering an accessible price point while supporting a fundraising effort for Blue Sky.
KBOO’s Fundraiser 2025
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Art Focus on K-B-O-O Portland is the show where artists talk about their work.
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Joseph Gallivan has been a reporter since 1990. He has covered music for the London Independent, Technology for the New York Post, and arts and culture for the Portland Tribune and for Axios Portland. He is the author of two novels, "Oi, Ref!" and "England All Over" which are available lightly used.
He is a TriMet bus operator. Smile and say hello on the 75, but please stay behind the yellow line.