SALEM IS MOPO ART salem art scene Ready to discover incredible sculptures, live theater, classical music and local art in a range of media and styles? Salem’s art scene is as diverse as it is impressive and offers something for all tastes. Take a self-guided Salem Public Art Walking Tour with a map from TravelSalem.com, and read on for more highlights. Be on the lookout for street murals scattered throughout Salem’s neighborhoods that highlight local landscapes and the natural world. Head to Willamette University’s Hallie Ford Museum of Art to immerse yourself in an extraordinary collection — over 9,000 pieces of artwork — from around the world. What further sets this museum apart is its focus on showcasing art created in the American Northwest with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. When artist Melanie Weston opened the Salem on the Edge modern-art gallery in July 2020, she sensed the area was on the cusp of a cultural awakening — and she was right. The downtown gallery offers eclectic exhibits and events that focus on Pacific Northwest artists, and entry is free. The nearby Elsinore Gallery was recently renovated and features rotating exhibits and a display gallery with prints and original artwork. About a mile south in historic Bush’s Pasture Park, Bush Barn Art Center showcases exhibitions of fine art from artists working in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Here, the Salem Art Association brings art to the masses through four galleries that are free to visitors. One recent exhibit was “Mi Cuerpo Es Mi Hogar,” an exhibit exploring the meaning of home and self, created by local mixedmedia artist Stephanie Juanillo. In the town of Independence, River Gallery showcases a number of local painters, ceramicists, woodworkers, jewelry makers and mixed-media artists. Launched Ron Cooper Salem Art Fair & Festival TravelSalem.com 16
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