Bringing a Shared Dream to Life: Our Gallery Space in Portland

India Lovejoy and Sidony O’Neal preparing for a show by Lisa Jarrett at WDP’s Gallery

When Travis and I purchased our design studio building, we discovered something extraordinary—a gallery space waiting to be brought to life. For both of us, this was more than just an additional room; it was the fulfillment of a long-held shared dream to create a space that could truly connect and inspire our creative community. In 2024, we dove headfirst into exploring the gallery's potential, hosting a series of exciting events that activated the space and forged wonderful connections with artists, creators, and our local community.

One of the most meaningful collaborations this year was with India Lovejoy and her groundbreaking Tinted Connections art series. This powerful project explored themes of identity, representation, and community through a remarkable lineup of artists. We were honored to provide a platform for artists Lisa Jarrett, Christine Miller, VoVo, Judy Cooke, and Rob Lewis, each bringing unique perspectives and profound storytelling to our space.

Our programming wasn't just about displaying art—it was about creating meaningful connections. We celebrated our daughter's first art show, welcomed a pop-up by Jon Marquis (@marquisdemod), hosted weekend pop-up events with Witte Flower Farm selling their beautiful bouquets, and even showcased a fashion pop-up with Alyson Eastman.

As business partners and creative collaborators, Travis and I found that each event reinforced our belief in the power of creative spaces to bring people together and expand community dialogue. The gallery became a living, breathing testament to Portland's rich artistic landscape.

Looking ahead to 2025, we're excited to continue this journey with six planned art exhibitions, intimate wine tastings, and creative pop-ups that will further explore the potential of this space.

To those who share a passion for art and community, we invite you to join us! Sometimes, dreams are found in unexpected spaces—and sometimes, they're best realized together.