Portland, Ore. - On Saturday, June 14th, the Portland Center for the Advancement of Culture (PCAC) opens its inaugural art show called The Modern Zoo marking the largest independent show ever curated in the Pacific Northwest. At the gala event from 6 - 11 p.m. with music by Jimmy Bennington and the Midnight Choir, PCAC will unveil its centerpiece exhibit entitled Northwest Abstraction featuring the work of established and emerging Portland-based abstract painters including Lucinda Parker, Judy Cooke, and James Boulton.

With over 100,000 square feet of gallery space provided by Cathedral Park Place, this massive exhibition houses the work of more than 75 regional artists in all disciplines. Music concerts, theater and dance performances will punctuate the venue after normal hours on select weekends. Located at 6635 N. Baltimore on the historic St. John�s peninsula, exhibit hours through August 31st are 12 - 8 p.m., Friday to Sunday. Admission is a $2 - 10 suggested donation.

Northwest Abstraction, on permanent display through August 31st, offers works by eight local abstract painters: Lucinda Parker, Jo Ann Kemmis, Judy Cooke, Bob Jones, Phil Sylvester, Patrick Puopolo, James Boulton, and Ann Marie Nafziger. Curator and PCAC co-founder Gavin Shettler chose to show these artists side-by-side because of the history and continuity that exists in their work. He says, "The relationship between them is a product of the Northwest environment: the rain, mountains, and ocean. I�m fascinated by the interconnecting threads such as application and color in all these pieces."

Sprinkled throughout the 11-week run will be more than 75 multidisciplinary exhibits by local artists including a sound-based installation by TJ Norris called "TRIBRYD: Genometrics"; Red76�s interactive art project "The Ministry of Small Things"; "WREN", a performance by Andrew Dickson; installations by David Eckard and Daniel DuFord; sculpture by Nan Curtis; space curated by p:ear; and "NEW FRIEND", a collaborative piece by Natascha Snellman and 2003 Oregon Biennial artist Cynthia Star; among an ever-growing lineup of other works.

PCAC dubbed the space The Modern Zoo to represent the vast array of genres, thought, and interpretation on display through August. "We live in an ambiguous environment," says Bryan Suereth, curator and PCAC co-founder, "and our first exhibit explores the phenomena of contemporary society and implies that the human being must come to terms with disorder, confinement, imagination and finite existence by putting ourselves on display without the consciousness of being watched. Hard as hell, maybe impossible, don�t you think?"

In conjunction with the North Portland Neighborhood Office�s July 12th art walk, PCAC will present a series of works by artists living on the St. John peninsula. PCAC will also host an Experimental Jazz Festival to supplement the distinguished Cathedral Park Jazz Festival on July 19th - 21st that will bring renowned musicians such as Rob Blakeslee, Billy Mintz, Michael Vlatkovich, Michael Bisio, Ken Ollis, and Jonas Tauber to the St. John�s peninsula.

To be apprised of current exhibits and events at The Modern Zoo, visit PCAC online at www.portlandart.org.

Event Details

What:	An inaugural art show curated by the Portland Center for the Advancement of Culture featuring the paintings of eight local abstract artists and a rotating display of more than 75 multidisciplinary art pieces.
When:	Exhibit: Fri. - Sun., June 14th to August 31st, 12 - 8 p.m.; Opening: Sat., June 14th, 6 - 11 p.m.
Where:	6635 N Baltimore, Portland (503-481-7450)
Cost:	Admission is a $2 - 10 suggested donation, except special events.
Info:	www.portlandart.org

PO Box 6802 • Portland Oregon 97228-6802 • bryan@portlandart.org • 503.913.6884 • www.portlandart.org