Downtown Art

CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
“Art is a big part of zines for me; zines, zine culture, and riot grrrl served
as my entrance to art,” explains Muffie White, who curated the all-lady mail
art show Correspondence Course, in conjunction with the Zine Symposium (see
pg 26). Impressed by the creative mail art sent to her by her pen pals–artists,
zinesters, and all-around ingénues–and “fascinated by the idea of the
postal system as a kind of medium,” Muffie invited 15 of her friends to mail
her a piece of art somehow relating to or inspired by the post. The final product
is a from-the-heart showing of creative curiosities, like Maya Raye’s miniature
exhibit of origami, a little heart, and her baby teeth (pictured above). JS

Reading Frenzy, 821 SW Oak, 274-1449, 11 am-7 pm, through July

DISTURBING THE PEACE

It seems a little sheepishly obvious to show art that confronts American politics
around the Fourth of July. But this year it is particularly appropriate to thrust
messages in the stunned faces of citizens living in a hijacked country. Ed Bereal’s
art is angry and rough, vandalizing and cartooning the ancient myths that constitute
the ostensible basis of the American dream. Furious and surly, the paintings
feature caricatures of government charlatans imposed on exploding stars of the
flag, and deep black paint slashes. It’s an aggressive expression, kindred to
the satire of a political cartoon and a poignant summation of a vast spectrum
of inconsistency. MS
Elizabeth Leach Gallery, 207 SW Pine, 224-0521, July 3-27, Tue-Sat, 10:30
am-5:30 pm

p:ear gallery

For the past four years, Jean Garcia has been homeless. Arriving in Portland
three months ago, she was instantly drawn to p:ear, a homeless center that exhibits
works from homeless teens, mixed with paintings by established artists. Garcia’s
paintings sold instantly. With strong vertical lines of muted colors, they are
calm expressions of her struggles. “Selling makes me feel overwhelmed,” admits
Garcia, “because someone can connect with me, and because I’ve always felt so
disconnected.” PDB
p:ear gallery, 809 SW Alder, 228-6677