Hellion Gallery

They’re great! They always have the best mixed art and community that I’m always drawn here for first Thursday every month.

Super kawai space. Lots of natural light and brick. They feature a under $ 100 wall for art collectors on a budget. My first time at Hellion was to see Nigamushi’s Paradise Deluxe exhibit: artwork inspired by Japanese pink films. I came on first Thursday and was delighted by how uncrowded it was. Hellion is tucked upstairs from Upper Playground. Whereas UP was a «packed like sardines» situation, Hellion had a medium sized crowd, more flow, and a chill tone. They were pouring Gigantic beer and playing great music, to boot. Arigato gozaimasu, Hellion Gallery. Badass.

Are you a Hellion? Sometimes at least? That’s healthy, when used for good, never evil!
The hellion is energetic and rebellious, creative, sensitive to surrounding forces, powerful and idealistic.
That’s the Hellion Gallery too! It’s the child of superheros Matt and Ann. Matt has curated Japanese artists to spaces Moshi Moshi, Compound Gallery and now in his own space. It’s bright illustration-​style work from Japanese and other international artists.
Matt has built great friendships with the artists he shows and often they will travel from Japan for the First Thursday openings. He has done benefit shows for the tsunami and Fukushima nuclear event, including showing drawings by Japanese school children.
Hellion is also the only consistent organizer of live painting events in Portland which are announced on the website.
The store has prints and paintings, by Japanese artists, Portland artists and from a mix of other places. There is a small handful of 3d figures, stationary, accessories and some pretty cool hand painted tabi shoes.
They subtitle this small upstairs gallery an artist’s clubhouse. That’s a great description. Hellion is a specialty spot for Japanese contemporary art with a very knowledgeable curator of the highest integrity
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