Here’s what’s on exhibit this November in Salem

HALLIE FORD MUSEUM OF ART

Featuring works by Pacific Northwest and Native American artists, a diverse collection of traditional European, American, and Asian art, and antique artifacts. The galleries are closed on Sunday and Monday. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors (55+). Children and students (0-17) and students (18+ with ID) are admitted free of charge, and Tuesday is a free day. 

Through November 21, 2026
What Do We Hold? A Community Conversation — In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, What Do We Hold? A Community Conversation was created in collaboration with The Conversation Project and the Office of Civic Engagement at Willamette University. The project brought together students, faculty, and Salem community members from a range of backgrounds to explore themes in the Declaration of Independence and how to talk about our histories, present challenges, and hopes for the future.

Through November 21, 2026
Drawn from the Collection presents a selection of drawings from the museum’s collection of Northwest art. The works on view here offer a wide range of approaches to drawing. Whether resulting in a tightly rendered figurative work or an expressive, process-oriented abstraction, drawing lets the artist make a direct, immediate statement.

Through March 13, 2027
Handmade Revolution: Craft in the Pacific Northwest is the first exhibition to feature the museum’s significant holdings of both historic and contemporary craft. The exhibition features over 60 artworks created in ceramics, textiles, glass, wood, and metal made by artists such as Rudy Autio, Frank Boyden, Dale Chihuly, Betty Feves, Heidi Pruess Grew, Linda Hutchins, Clay Lohman, George Rodriguez, Sara Siestreem, Ken Shores, Peter Voulkos, Patti Warashina, Marie Watt, Nancy Worden, and many more.

RELATED EVENT: Salem Art Walk — 5 to 8 p.m. Nov 6

Engage with participatory visual elements, installations, and performances from Our Fairview during Salem’s First Friday Art Walk. The evening features Shoes, Scores, and Maps: Tools for Regenerative Futures by Sarah Wolf Newlands and 4400 Apologies by Bruce Burris, performed by Cayla Skillin-Brauchle. Informal remarks at 6 p.m. bring together project directors and artists whose contributions have shaped the project over the past two years. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov 6 in the lobby of Hallie Ford Museum of Art.

THE ROGER W. ROGERS GALLERY

Through December 4, 2026
Shoki Tanabe: The World According to Nouns — An eclectic show of new and older works, including several cardboard compositions that dominated Shoki’s creative output in 2026. “Everything is in flux. People, circumstances, events, language. When you think about it, even the most physically stolid structures on earth are moving; decaying over time, and dancing and spiraling at an atomic level. That’s everything, and all of us. That place where the mountains meet the sea? That’s all of us. Sheer walls, blinding heights. Churning water. The best forms of expression speak to it, too – all things in vibration, tenuous and liminal, directed by positive or negative charge and defined by light and shadow.”

See Shoki’s work at The Roger W. Rogers Gallery in the Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center at Willamette University.

ART IN THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE 

Art in the Governor’s Office brings the works of some of Oregon’s most distinguished artists to the state Capitol. This longstanding tradition, which began in 1975 and celebrates the diverse creativity of Oregon’s professional visual artists, relaunched this year following a pause due to the pandemic and the restoration of the Capitol building. The Governor’s Gallery is viewable most Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitation information is available at 503-986-1388.

Through December 31
Nancy Watterson Scharf — Nancy is based in the Southern Oregon Coast Range. Her acrylic paintings provide a “voice for nature,” investigating the complex relationship between humans, animals, and the ecosystems they share.

SALEM ART ASSOCIATION

The Salem Art Association (SAA) aims to actively engage the community in the appreciation of the arts through contemporary art exhibits and events, and arts education for youth and adults. Bush Barn Art Center & Annex, 600 Mission St SE | 503-581‑2228, salemart.org

November 6 through December 23, 2026
Cosmic Transmissions of a Deeper Truth is a collaborative exhibition by artists Totem Shriver and Chloe Raymond, who work primarily in wood to create relief and freestanding carvings inspired by biological systems, dreams, and the material itself. Through a process rooted in physicality, play, and discovery, their abstract forms invite viewers to explore deeper truths and become co-creators in their own experience of the art.

Comic Arts & Manga | Group Exhibition celebrates the creativity and imagination of young artists ages 8–18 alongside work by local professional artists. Exploring manga, comics, cartoons, and Pop Art, the exhibition features bold colors, expressive characters, and imaginative storytelling, highlighting the many ways artists bring their ideas to life.

Holiday Show and Small Wonders | SAA Represented Artists — Celebrate the season of giving with a variety of handmade two- and three-dimensional works perfect for thoughtful holiday gift-giving. Small Wonders showcases petite works measuring under 12 × 12 inches, including pastels, collages, paintings, and photography. Discover unique, artful gifts while supporting local artists this holiday season.

RELATED EVENT: Opening Reception for Cosmic Transmissions of a Deeper Truth | by Totem Shriver and Chloe Raymond, Comic Arts & Manga | Group Exhibition, and Holiday Show and Small Wonders, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov 6.

Call for Artists: 2027 Artist-in-Residence (Juried) offers dedicated studio space to experiment, develop new work, and collaborate. Artists will have opportunities to engage with the community, as the studio is generally viewable during SAA open hours, with a sliding wall that allows for public access or a more enclosed workspace. The residency also provides professional development support and an opportunity to exhibit work in SAA’s Focus Gallery for one month. Join a creative environment that supports artistic growth, experimentation, and community connection. No application fee. | Application Deadline: November 30, 2026. For questions, contact kathleen@salemart.org.

Call for Artists: Salem Reads 2027 Art Exhibit — Artists are invited to submit proposals for 1–4 artworks inspired by The Art Thief by Michael Finkel for a curated group exhibition at the Salem Public Library Art Hall in February 2027, in collaboration with Salem Art Association. Selected artists will create their work in December 2026 through mid-January 2027, with finished artwork delivered to the library on February 1, 2027. Join this community-wide celebration of reading and creativity while supporting our local library and sharing your artistic interpretation of the book with the Salem community. To apply, email three images of current work and a proposal outlining your planned artwork, inspiration, number of pieces, sizes, and mediums to kathleen@salemart.org by November 30, 2026.

SALEM ON THE EDGE

From fine art by established and up-and-coming artists to graffiti artists, Salem on the Edge features work by PNW artists in a variety of media for purchase. Shows change each month. 156 Liberty St NE | salemontheedge.com

Through November 15
Along the Willamette: Plein Air Paintings — This new series of work by represented artist Daemion Lee follows water. Painted entirely on location, these plein air watercolors trace the course of small streams as they gather into the Willamette mainstream and travel north toward the Columbia and the sea: beginning near home, at Waln Creek in Salem, then Mill Creek, Battle Creek, the Willamette itself, and on through Portland to the Columbia. The goal of Lee’s work is to capture a sense of place, in terms of both natural and built features in the environment, as well as ambiance and light. Lee’s work balances realism with expressionism, depicting not just how a place looks, but also how it feels.

The gallery will be closed November 18 through 27. Its 3rd annual 100 x 100 Group Show will open on Small Business Saturday, Nov 28, and include a pop-up by local artists Brett Woods (painter) and Ryan Hopper (printmaker). Artist reception and opening for 100 x 100 show will be 4 to 8 p.m. Dec 4.

RELATED EVENTS: Salem Art Walk — 5 to 8 p.m. Nov 6; Special Preview — 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday Nov 28

STEFANI ART GALLERY

Showcasing modern, contemporary, and abstract art from local and internationally recognized artists. We offer original artworks, fine art photographs, and limited-edition prints for collectors at every level. Art should be accessible to all, and we’re here to help you find the perfect pieces for your space. 305 Court St NE | stefaniartgallery.com

Through November
Before the Water Rose — House of Stefani will present Before the Water Rose: Celilo Falls, 1956, an exhibition of Richard Stefani’s remarkable color photographs of Celilo Falls, made only months before the falls were submerged. This is the first time the photographs have been presented publicly as a unified body of work.

RELATED EVENT: Salem Art Walk — 5 to 8 p.m. Nov 6

Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery

The gallery is located in building 3 on the college campus at 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE. For more information and open hours, call 503-399-2533, Info.

Through December 4, 2026
Struggling in Plain Sight — Viewers are confronted with the humanity of homelessness. Drawings and sculptures give faces and identity to people who are relegated to the outsides of society. These introspective images asks each one of us to reconsider our notions of the poverty surrounding us.

Gallery 444

Framing shop and art gallery featuring a variety of art, including work by members of Artists in Action. 444 Ferry St SE | elsinoregallery.com

November 6 through 28, 2026
Fiber Arts Show & Upcycled Creations Fashion Show — Explore textile-based artwork and wearable creations made from recycled materials in Artists in Action’s November exhibition. The opening reception features an Upcycled Creations runway show on November 6.

The Fiber Arts exhibition is juried by award-winning textile artist Linda Jacobson, whose two-dimensional work draws on nature’s beauty, complexity, and constant change through vibrant color, texture, and detail. Ribbon and monetary awards recognize Best of Show, Best Original Design, Best Wearable, Best Use of Unconventional Material, Best Use of Color, Most Functional Non-Wearable, Honorable Mention, and People’s Choice. Visitors can vote for the Fiber Arts People’s Choice award throughout the exhibition, with the winner determined at the end of November.

RELATED EVENTS: Salem Art Walk — 5 to 8 p.m. Nov 6, with runway presentation, judging, and awards beginning at 6 p.m. Click here for more info. 

CULTURAL EXHIBITS

Bush House Museum

Built in 1878 for the Bush Family, this historic house museum features original furnishings, fixtures, and fine art. The second-floor gallery celebrates Oregon’s rich Black history with work by international artist Nikesha Breeze. The museum is free to explore on Thursday, Friday, and selected Saturdays. Free 45-minute tours begin promptly at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15. and 3:15 p.m. Get free tickets at the Bush Barn Art Center. 600 Mission St SE | bushhousemuseum.org

Through Dec 19, 2026
The Immigrant Story: I Lived to Tell the World | Jim Lommasson — Photographs from Jim Lommasson. His work focuses on photographs and objects of immigrants and objects they were able to bring with them on their perilous Journeys.

RELATED EVENT: Heritage Talk with Elizabeth Mehren — Join Portland-based journalist and author Elizabeth Mehren for a compelling talk inspired by her book, I Lived to Tell the World. Through the stories of thirteen immigrants who survived violence and displacement to build new lives in Oregon, Mehren explores resilience, belonging, and the personal histories that shape our communities. Drawing on in-depth interviews and oral histories, she honors the voices and experiences of those who have made Oregon home. 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov 15. Limited to 25 guest |Tickets: $20 General Admission | $18 SAA Members | $10 Students

Oregon State Capitol

View curated exhibits, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 900 Court St NE. https://oregoncapitol.com/

November 9 through 13
A Tribute to Veterans — Pay tribute to our military veterans with this exhibit in the Capitol Rotunda. The colors will be posted along with a small collection of uniforms (one from each branch of service) from the VFW Uniform Museum, and the state seal will be decorated with red, white, and blue decor. Free to view during building hours.

Willamette Heritage Center

14 historic structures house permanent and changing exhibits, a research library and archive, a textile learning center, and rentable event spaces across a five-acre campus that also includes retail shops, art galleries, artist studios, and offices. 1313 Mill St SE | 503-585-7012, willametteheritage.org

Through December 31, 2026
Textilezzz: The Fabric of Sleep is an exhibit that explores the warm, fuzzy relationship between people and the fabrics we sleep with. From handcrafted coverlets to Oregon Trail traveling quilts and mass-produced woolen blankets, see snooze-inducing items from the center’s permanent collections.

World Beat Gallery

The World Beat Gallery gives local cultural communities a space to share their heritage. 390 Liberty St SE | 503-581-2004, salemmulticultural.org

Through Nov 20, 2026
What Remains: Death Traditions Around the World — As varied as our human existence is, death is the one thing that we all eventually face. Rites and traditions around death give us ways to express our love for the deceased, our beliefs in an afterlife, and honor the dead. From solemn ceremonies to vibrant celebrations, What Remains explores traditions from around the world.

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Author: The Instigator