Here in the Columbia River Gorge, we experience the beauty of nature every day: witnessing dramatic Gorge landscapes, the spectacular Columbia River, and our double mountains—Mt. Hood and Mr. Adams. So much natural beauty motivates our local artists to create artwork that is truly inspired.

This month at the Center we celebrate our artists with a two-month exhibition: Best of the Gorge. A year in the making, this show is a labor of love for its two curators Bill Sturman and Christine Knowles—and all the artists who participate.

Here’s how the show works:

Artists are invited to submit their best new work—work they feel depicts the best of the Gorge art world. Preshow, artists hoping to be in the exhibition drop off their artwork at the Center. Next the show’s juror is tasked with selecting the best individual works to be included in the show, and also to pick the prize winners. (This year, Portland Art Museum’s Curator of the Sales and Rental Gallery Jennifer Zika is the show’s juror. Zika is well-versed in numerous media, both 2D and 3D and is highly qualified to evaluate the creativity and technique expressed in the art submitted for this exhibition).

From the moment the art starts arriving, the excitement builds. From the jurying and the creative frenzy and fun of hanging the show and getting everything just right, to the opening reception on First Friday (June 5) when artists, friends, families, art buyers and appreciators, and proud curators get to sit back and admire the show, this exhibition is truly worthy of the title Best of the Gorge.

Don’t miss this great show running June 5-August 2 at the Columbia Center for the Arts.