For nearly three decades, Guardino Gallery has been a beacon for artists and art lovers in Portland’s Alberta Arts District. This winter marks the end of an era: the gallery has announced it will close its physical location in December, 2025. Even so, Guardino’s story isn’t ending...it’s evolving. The team plans to keep sharing artwork and curating projects online, so you can continue following and supporting the community that grew around this beloved space.
A gallery that shaped a neighborhood
Since opening on NE Alberta Street, Guardino Gallery has done more than hang exhibitions...it has helped shape the identity of a neighborhood. The space became a landmark destination with multiple exhibition areas and a gift shop, welcoming both emerging and established artists and delighting visitors with constantly changing shows.
The news lands in a year of remembrance. Founder Donna Guardino, a driving force behind the gallery and the Alberta Arts District, passed away on April 9, 2025, at age 81. Tributes poured in from across the arts community, underscoring the profound role she played in mentoring artists and sustaining a vibrant local scene.
If you’ve been meaning to stop by, now’s the time. The gallery’s late-2025 calendar includes long-cherished traditions and exhibitions, one last chance to experience the intimacy of Guardino’s rooms, the energy of opening nights, and the tactile joy of discovering new work up close. Community posts have noted the plan to close the physical gallery on December 31, making these final weeks especially meaningful for artists and collectors alike.
How to keep following Guardino after December 31
Guardino Gallery isn’t disappearing; it’s transitioning. Here’s how to stay connected:
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Bookmark the website to follow projects and browse work. The site remains the central hub for show schedules, artist info, and updates. Guardino Gallery
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Follow on Instagram for new online catalogs, artist spotlights, and announcements as the gallery expands its digital programming. Recent posts describe pilot projects and the shift to a fully online catalog. Guardino Gallery Instagram
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Join the newsletter to hear about new online exhibitions and opportunities to collect work from Guardino-connected artists. (See the newsletter signup on the gallery site.) Guardino Gallery
Why this matters
A city’s cultural fabric isn’t stitched by large institutions alone; it’s held together by neighborhood spaces where artists debut ideas and communities gather around them. Guardino Gallery’s influence, its curatorial through-line, its support for local makers, and its welcoming storefront on Alberta, has helped define how Portland experiences contemporary art. Even without a physical address, that influence can continue, reaching wider audiences through ongoing online projects.
Ways to honor the legacy
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Visit before the close to see the final shows and say thank you to the team and artists who’ve kept the lights bright all these years. Guardino Gallery
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Collect work you love. Purchasing from living artists sustains the ecosystem that Donna Guardino championed.
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Keep showing up online. Follow Guardino’s channels, share posts, and invite friends to discover artists you admire.
Guardino Gallery’s physical doors may close at the end of 2025, but its spirit, curiosity, community, and the courage to champion new voices carries forward. Keep your eye on their online presence in the new year. The setting will change; the art will live on!
Quick links
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Guardino Gallery website (exhibitions, artists, newsletter): guardinogallery.com Guardino Gallery
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Guardino Gallery on Instagram: @guardinogallery Instagram
