Congratulations to the 2023 Pacific Northwest Drawers Artists
Blue Sky, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts is pleased to announce the 59 artists selected for the 2023 Pacific Northwest Drawers. Each artist showcases a series of 10 photographic works, which will be on view in the Pacific Northwest Drawers flat files from April 2023 through March 2024 and on our website in perpetuity. These selections showcase the range and vibrancy of Pacific Northwest artists working in the photographic medium.
Opening Reception
An opening reception will be held at Blue Sky on Thu, Apr 6, 5 - 8 PM.
There will also be a YouTube Premiere on Thu, Apr 6, 5 PM (PT) for those who can’t attend the opening in person.
Expanding Visibility of Regional Artists
The Pacific Northwest Drawers originated in 2007 to expand the visibility of regional photographers. Each year Blue Sky invites artists from Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington to apply. The call opens in late fall and artists are selected in early winter.
Blue Sky received a record number of submissions for its 16th iteration of the Pacific Northwest Drawers. The exhibition was juried by Crista Dix, the Executive Director at the Griffin Museum of Photography. The 2023 cohort comprises a strong showing from Blue Sky’s home state, with 37 artists from Oregon. Other artists hail from Washington (11), British Columbia, Canada (4), Alaska (3), Idaho (2), and Montana (2). The photographic work includes both lens-based and alternative processes, with a range of themes including identity, environment, connection and loss.
Reviewing so many images to narrow to 59 talented creative artists is always exciting and often overwhelming. Learning something new each time I see a photograph by the people and artists who live and explore the Northwest helps me grow, change and learn more about myself in the process.
- Crista Dix, 2023 Juror
2023 Artists
• Aidan Barbar • Kristina Barker • Ethan Bickel • Alyson Bowen • Brittney Cathey-Adams •
• Jo Cosme • Rebecca Cummins • Katherine Curry • Neil DaCosta • Mark S Danley •
• Claire Dibble • Albert England • Liza Faktor • Gloria Baker Feinstein •
• Marcelo Fontana & Katherine Spinella • David M Frazier • Margo Geddes • Ford Gilbreath •
• Barbara Gilson • Paul Gravett • Sarah Grew • Alexis Joy Hagestad • Mick Hangland-Skill •
• Craig Hickman • Josh Hobson • Claudia Hollister • Kirk Hostetter • Melinda Hurst Frye •
• Carol Isaak • Cara Jaye • Reese Kempter • Ann Kendellen • Young Kim • John Kirkley •
• Liz Kuball • Laura Kurtenbach & Brian McGloin • Chris Lael Larson • Horatio Hung-Yan Law •
• Stuart Allen Levy • Xinyu Liu • Jim Lommasson • Lawrence E Manning • Vanessa Marsh •
• Kentaro Metzger • Jenny Irene Miller • Blue Mitchell • Loren Nelson • Rachel Nixon •
• Danielle Quenell • Ridwana Rahman • Michael Rainey • Shawn Records •
• Adair Freeman Rutledge • Skip Smith • Barbara Strigel • Christopher Trotchie •
• Christopher Valentine • Mike Vos • Eric Walker •
2023 Juror
Crista Dix (she/her) is the Executive Director at the Griffin Museum of Photography, assuming that role in January of 2022 after two years as the Associate Director.
Before coming to the Griffin Museum in 2020 she spent fifteen years operating her own photography gallery, wall space creative, closing it in 2020 to make the move to New England and the Griffin. Having a career spanning many paths she has a background rooted in science, business and creative art. This well rounded experience provides a solid background for supporting the Griffin’s mission to encourage a broader understanding and appreciation of the visual, emotional and social impact of photographic art.
Crista has written essays about photography, introducing creative artists' work to a broader community. She has been a member of numerous panels and discussions on the craft of photography, juried creative competitions and has participated in major portfolio reviews across the country in cities like Houston, Portland, Los Angeles, Santa Fe and New Orleans.
The Pacific Drawers is largely supported by a generous grant from The Kinsman Foundation.
