Oregon Contemporary Artists’ Biennial explores ‘The Price of the Ticket’ in 2026 art survey

More than two dozen artists are participating in the 2026 Oregon Contemporary Artists’ Biennial, which launched last month and ends on July 5. The current exhibit is titled “The Price of the Ticket” and is on display at the Oregon Contemporary gallery in North Portland. Audiences can also experience performances, poetry readings and public talks at other venues in the city.  

TK Smith is a writer and cultural historian who is curating the 2026 OCA Biennial that coincides with the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Smith took inspiration from author and civil rights activist James Baldwin’s anthology of essays, “The Price of the Ticket,” to select a diverse array of works that explore America’s history, identity and the price of citizenship, especially for marginalized communities. 

Last fall, Oregon Contemporary announced that the National Endowment for the Arts had canceled a $30,000 grant it had previously awarded to the Biennial, per reporting by Willamette Week and other media outlets. The nonprofit Sitka Center for Art and Ecology quickly pledged its help to fill the funding shortfall.  

Smith joins us, along  with artists Mako Miyamoto and Jaleesa Johnston who are featured in the Biennial.  

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