Press Play Salem

Master Penworks of Tom Stefopoulos: The Hellenic Artist of the Lovejoy Columns
2026-05-05 - 2026-06-04 | Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St NE, Salem, 97301, United States
The Hellenic-American Cultural Center and Museum (HECCM) presents “Master Penworks of Tom Stefopoulos: The Hellenic Artist of the Lovejoy Columns” May 5 through June 4. The exhibit is available during Capitol hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Athanasios (Tom) Efthimiou Stefopoulos was a factory worker, railroad man, commercial artist, and a champion penman. Art was his first love but pursuing this was difficult for a young immigrant in an adopted country where he did not even speak the language. In 1945, he was employed by the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railroad to work as a crossing watchman under the Lovejoy Ramp of the Broadway Bridge in Portland, Oregon. It was here that the artist created the iconic “Lovejoy Columns.” This exhibition considers the range of Stefopoulos’ art, from pen drawings to the murals that graced the Lovejoy Columns. His style is a unique blend of calligraphic lines and Art Nouveau, and his themes span Ancient Greek philosophy to contemporary world events. In style and in theme, Stefopoulos blended a myriad of influences, a result of a life lived in multiple places and among many people. Despite a life that was characterized by movement and synthesis, however, the Lovejoy Columns represent a sense of belonging to specific place—in this case, to Oregon. Stefopoulos’ art gives insight into how the artist envisioned himself in this new home.
This exhibit was one of three that were awarded Capitol History Gateway exhibit sponsorships in the first year of the program. Exhibits are funded, in part, by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Willamette Art Center Open House
2026-05-16 13:00 - 15:30 (America/Vancouver) | Willamette Art Center, 3995 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Suite 100, Salem, 97302, United States
Willamette Art Center to Celebrate New Location with Open House and Arts Activities

The Willamette Art Center is celebrating the success of its new and expanded location in Salem by inviting the public to its Welcome Back open house on Saturday, May 16, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The open house will include tours of the new community studio, clay-based arts activities, delicious snacks, information about upcoming classes/workshops and opportunities to chat with studio instructors and staff.
“It’s a joy to see the community come into the studio and take advantage of this wonderful space to create,” said Lisa Joyce, Willamette Art Center’s Executive Director. “Our team has worked especially hard to create a welcoming, accessible space for everyone. Whether you’re new to working with clay or an experienced artist, there’s a creative home for you here at Willamette Arts Center.”
The Willamette Art Center Welcome Back event will include art and other opportunities for visitors, such as:

Raku: Glaze a clay object and have it fired in our Raku kiln. Willamette Art Center is the only local clay studio with this special firing process
Experiment with hand building: Enjoy this age-old way to create art
Throw on a wheel: Test your skills or learn how to get started throwing on the wheel
Meet our instructors: Say hello to our experienced instructors and get to know them
Sign up for a class: Sign up to take an introductory class or build your skills with our advanced offerings

“Our hope is to fill the Willamette Art Center space with patrons who love to create and be a part of a supportive, caring community,” said Josie Hummert, Willamette Art Center Board President. “At a time when so much is happening in the world around us, Willamette Art Center is a place for everyone to feel welcomed. We’ve deliberately set up this studio to give people room not just to create, but to connect.”
What: Willamette Art Center Community Open House
Where: 3995 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Suite 100
When: Saturday, May 16, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Onsite parking available.
Willamette Art Center (WAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts studio in Salem, Oregon. Their mission is to maintain a sustainable and welcoming community for lifelong learning and exploration of the arts. The WAC’s programming is focused on access to the arts, promoting the arts, and improving the community. Classes, workshops and other arts opportunities are available throughout the year, including Family Clay Sundays, school-based programs and field trips.

Portfolio Show 2026
2026-06-04 15:30 - 19:00 | Chemeketa Community College, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, 97305, United States
Chemeketa Community College’s Visual Communications Program will host its annual Portfolio Show on June 4th, 2026 in Building 60 (Agricultural Hub) on the Salem campus. Multimedia Arts students will be presenting their demo reels beginning at 3:30pm, and the full show of all graduates runs from 4:15-7:00pm.
