The Portland Art Museum has opened a new permanent gallery dedicated to Black artists, named for local artist, dancer, and educator Thelma Johnson Streat. The gallery, which opened on the first day of Black History Month, features a variety of works by Black Oregon artists, including multimedia installations, paintings, drawings, and a large photographic grid.
The gallery is the result of a collaboration between the museum and the 1803 Fund, an organization focused on advancing Portland's Black community. The opening represents a significant step in institutional representation, as Streat is believed to be the first Black female artist to have a gallery in a major U.S. art museum named after her. The space aims to provide visibility and a sense of togetherness for the Black community, particularly for younger visitors.