The Dooryard

Andy Fersch Reading

2011-08-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

Our newest member, Andrew Fersch will be having a reading on 8/23/11 at the Crow Bar. Here are links to his sites. Please join us there in support of Andy.

www.alrightimwrong.com

www.AndrewFersch.com

2011-02-21T15:24:00.000-08:00

DANCE!

2011-01-30T14:33:00.001-08:00

Please join us Friday, February 4 for our First Friday after party to DANCE!

Dishing sweet tunes are our friends:

Dirty Rogers

DJ John Barera

DJ George Scharoun

We look forward to seeing all your lovely faces!

We're under construction!

2011-01-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hello friends of the Dooryard!

First: sorry to have been neglecting our blog!

We've been a state of change: old members have left, new have joined us. In the last few months we've said good bye to Josh Clukey and Meghan McDonough, both founding members of the Dooryard. We're happy to welcome Jess Lauren Lipton as a new addition to our upstairs art room.

We've been making a serious effort to clean out the cobwebs and re-envision the Dooryard as a place to hold a more professional and clean looking gallery space. We really look forward to showing off to y'all as soon as we can!

We are aiming for March or April to be open once again for First Friday Art Walk. We'll be sure to keep you posted.

And, if you're interested in seeing our smiling faces, check back for information regarding our continuing first Friday after parties at Slainte! Come dance and support us!

Dooryard Bands at CMJ Fest in Brooklyn!

2010-09-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Dooryard is happy to announce that two of our in-house bands, Marie Stella and Dead Man's Clothes, will be playing this year's CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, October 23rd. The good folks at HillyTown.com (which really just means Bryan, guitarist in Marie Stella) have put together a night of Portland bands to blow the tights pants off New York!

Also find the same Dooryard bands on Treble Treble 2, the latest compilation of Portland music. Listen for free on HillyTown.

September Arts Walk gallery: "One Year at the Dooryard"

2010-09-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

all photos by beth shorey

First Friday re-cap

2010-07-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

Photos from "Let's Go West: New Works by Tessa McGow"

all photos by Beth Shorey

arts walk continued

2010-07-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

all photos from July arts walk

LET'S GO WEST: New Works by Tessa McGow

2010-07-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Photo by Bryan Bruchman

Tessa McGow is burning down acres of yellow pencils in her pursuit of the gorgeous American West. Our cowgirl Dooryarder is transforming the building's main hallway, carving out a home for gorges and those who long for a landscape unencumbered by pine. The wall drawing calls visitors to saddle up its wooden banister neighbor and ride into the thick of lead marks, or follow the dusty trail around a bend into the room that holds Tessa's studio (alongside Eric Spalding and Blake Hiltunen) to find her current body of work, a gold rush claim of drawings and paintings featuring bleached-out skulls and bird bits, a convertible worthy of Dr. Gonzo at the wheel, horses of ghost and mutant breeds and buffalo under a melted-candy sky. The pieces seem hatched from the giant bird's nest she built in her studio last November and are now spreading their brightly pen-sketched wings and bone-white talons.

FORT WHISKEY BUSINESS (blog)

Come check out the show this First Friday Arts Walk, 5-8pm at the Dooryard, 108 High St. Open studios throughout, plus wine themed for the trip out West.

(...and be sure to wish Tessa a happy birthday when you're here!)

In addition, former Dooryard studio artist Irina Skornyakova has a solo show at Mayo St. Arts opening on Friday. Preview some of her prints and drawings:

IRINA ALEXANDROVNA SKORNYAKOVA

...

2010-07-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

...and after the 'wine walk' has died down, come to Strange Maine for a rare appearance by GAY CAMP, with Jonathan Merrifield's new band The Gloaming and Portland's favorite Canadian, BJ Snowden.

Then on Saturday, the Building of Song Arts & Music Festival goes down noon-8pm in Congress Square and above. Dooryard family bands Dead Man's Clothes, Meghan Yates & the Reverie Machine and Over A Cardboard Sea join a host of other local musicians for this free concert.

BUILDING OF SONG

DMC + MS = RAD

2010-06-16T07:59:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Dead Man's Clothes for their win in the Phoenix's category of Best New Act!

"Dead Man's Clothes are the textbook definition of "organized chaos." Barely kept in line, the immense energy branches out to every section of the band. Authoritative lead singer Don Dumont never lets your focus wander past the commanding echo of his voice. Then again, we might have to credit the frenzied guitar progressions from TJ Metcalfe and Dumont, creating tension with each distinct pluck of the strings. Carrying considerable momentum, each song feels like an enraged sprint through the 100-meter dash. Corralling these elements are the rhythmic yet blaring bass and crashing, well-timed percussion."

-The Portland Phoenix

DMC played at Bayside Bowl this past weekend for Marie Stella's first EP release (and the new venue's opening). Check out "Trust" by Marie Stella here:

TRUSTMARIESTELLA.COM

May Arts Walk gallery

2010-05-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

installation by josh clukey

More Arts Walk photos

2010-05-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

APRIL

Hair Drawings

Eric Spalding

Holga Photos

Chelsea Dowd and Julia Wood

MAY

Isolations

Nicolas Destino

Vote for Dooryard Bands!

2010-04-16T12:20:00.001-07:00

Two Dooryard bands are up for awards in the Phoenix's Best Music Poll:

MARIE STELLA nominated for BEST INDIE ACT

DEAD MAN'S CLOTHES nominated for BEST NEW ACT

VOTE HERE

Plus, we just got a nice mention in the last Phoenix Best of Portland poll-- "DIY/Alternative Studio/Performance Spaces" won for Best Arts Scene Trend, with the Dooryard mentioned alongside our friends at the Apohadion and Mayo Street Arts.

Cheers to the seeds of a thriving DIY arts community!

Art Walk Photos- Les Salonniers

2010-04-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

Les Salonniers, a performance troupe from Barcelona, invited our gallery visitors to become a part of their installation by kissing the wall after allowing themselves to be lipsticked. Each lip mark was signed & dated by the participant.

2010-04-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

The troupe also invited us to

STRETCH in the gallery

with the aid of towels & bathing suits!

Arts Walk, April 2

2010-04-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

In our First Friday opening this month:

Les Salonnieres (of Barcelona, see post below!), installation & performance

Chelsea Dowd & Julia Wood, Holga photography

Eric Spalding, hair drawing series

and as always, our open studios!

5-whenever pm, Friday, April 2.

2010-03-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

The Door Yard is proud to announce the performance and opening of Barcelona's Les Salonnieres. The feminine performance group will be organizing an exhibition of their most recent work "The Salonnieres Family."

The show will contain a photographic series that explores a breaking of assumed behavior of people according to the space they are in. At the same time, through a set of instructions written on the wall, the Salonnieres will transform the exhibition space into a new arena for processes of collective production with any (hopefully all) of the visitors to the opening.

come one, come all! check out what is happening on the other side of the atlantic, without leaving the comforts of your own city!

for more information on the Salonnieres, visit www.salodete.org

muchos besos de Les Salonnieres!

a couple photos from the gallery opening

2010-03-06T06:22:00.000-08:00

main gallery

paint-yr-own monster in the burning city

photos by aubin thomas

in-process shots before arts walk

2010-03-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

work shown here by manu sachdeva & mAhA81

MONSTERS & ROBOTS show!

2010-03-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is First Friday Arts Walk, and the Dooryard will be open from 5pm-on with a special installation by the German comic artist mAhA81 in collaboration with fellow artists from NYC Jamie & Irina Weiss, Manu Sachdeva, Magumi and more!

The show is an apocalyptical take on the evolution of the independence of MONSTERS & ROBOTS! So far this week we've witnessed giant tentacles ooze over skyscrapers the size of our gallery, robots flying from the ceiling, and portraits from the last moment of human civilization painted on our walls.

*Monsters and Robots*  /“The days of the ancient regime are counted with its last sip of petrol. The day when it'll draw it's last gasp of toxic vapor will come. When this day comes, you can run, but you can't hide, there will be no FEMA, no messiah, and no alien spaceship to carry you away. /  /The monstri and machines, that we created will take over our precious cities, and rule the world in chaos and mayhem. The end will be deadly. incredibly cute and deadly. /  /We want to dedicate this exhibition to the new world to come. /  /No humans no masters.../  /We know which side we're on.”/
March 2010

mAhA81
Jamie Weiss
Irina Weiss
Manu Sachdeva
Pachiclón
Magumi

Dooryard on "Most Influential" List!

2010-02-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

Deirdre Fulton of the Phoenix stopped by our studios last week for a talk about the Dooryard and other like-minded spaces in town:

About Town blog: DIY Venues in the News

...and we're in the printed Phoenix this week as part of their "Most Influential People in Town" list!

(read about Bryan of Marie Stella, scroll down for our mention)

If only we could be under Music, Visual Art AND Performing Art-- or All Of The Above.

Thanks, Phoenix folks!

2010-02-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who stopped by our studios last night! More on March's installation in coming days...

Dooryard bands are out on the town this week. Dead Man's Clothes open for Brenda and Maps & Atlases (of Chicago) at SPACE this Monday, Feb. 8 (8pm doors, $8, 18+); the next night, Marie Stella play at Port City Music Hall as part of the venue's TWO series. Two bands, $2 cover and $2 drink specials every Tuesday; Marie Stella is joined by indie steadfasts Metal Feathers for this week's 8pm, 21+ show.

& Happy birthday to Blake today, and thanks to his mom who told me she liked this blog (and I, being over-caffeinated, misheard her and was very confused!)

open studios

2010-02-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

Dooryard open studios this coming First Friday, February 5th, 5pm-onward! Come chill this month; we're gearing up for a monstrous installation in March with folks from NYC and right here in town.

Also be on the lookout for Dooryard artists in other galleries around town: Blake Hiltunen, Irina Skornyakova & manymany more at SPACE Gallery's "Free For All 2". (Swing by SPACE after Arts Walk to witness DRUM SWAMP: 20+ Portland bangers & clangers in one really loud room!) ...and photographer Derek Jackson has collaborated with Ahna the Ladybeast for a photo project on view at Sanctuary Tattoo's METAL-ISCIOUS show.

Plus, Planets Around the Sun will play a free show at Geno's tomorrow, Thursday Feb. 4th, with Jakob Battick & Friends and Good Kids Sprouting Horns. Beware of ritualistically ecstatic dancing creatures.

mayo street arts opening party

2010-01-29T09:44:00.000-08:00

Dooryarders Henrietta the Hot Toddy & Winnigram the Whiskey Sour will be hosting a SWEET & SOUR KISSING BOOTH

at the Mayo Street Arts kick-off show

Saturday, February 13th, 7-9pm

come celebrate the birth of this new non-profit community art space!

& afterwards, head over to SPACE Gallery for the DEAD OF WINTER featuring Tim Findlen (Over a Cardboard Sea), Eric Schwan (The Orchards), Emily Dix Thomas (Cerf-Volantes), Aly Spaltro (Lady Lamb the Beekeeper), Matt Lajoie (Cursillistas) and many more.

8:30pm, 18+, $6

Mayo Street Arts!

2010-01-11T21:59:00.001-08:00

"Mayo Street Arts will open its doors February 1st to hold performances, exhibitions, classes, and gatherings. We offer six artist studios for rent, a unique music hall with high ceilings and stained glass windows, and a haven for fun, collaboration, and creativity."

heck yeah!

MAYO STREET ARTS

night-of solstice photos

2009-12-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

Photos from the Winter Solstice performance are up at HillyTown.

Thanks Bryan!

2009-12-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

WINTER SOLSTICE

preparations

(before)

2009-12-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the Hog Farm Studio Annex in Biddeford last night!

Photos coming soon of the beautiful solstice show hosted by Planets Around the Sun.

hog farm studio

(bigbig thanks to Coco & Gil of hfs!)

Print in the Artist Studio Building

2009-12-15T22:55:00.000-08:00

Pickwick Independent Press, a new printshop in the Artist Studio building above SPACE Gallery, has sent out a call for print makers interested in using the facilities:

We are now calling for applicants to become members of Pickwick Independent Press. If you are interested in becoming a keyholder member please take some time to fill out an application. Tip: There is no deadline for applications but we will be filling up fast so don't delay.

What we intend to accomplish and how: The press is in its infancy, we are still gathering presses, and defining our role in the community. We believe the first small group of "key-holder" members will help us define our role and the mission of the shop. In exchange for this community and identity building we are offering Three months free membership to the first group of key-holder members. A key-holder member is a member of the press that has Twenty four hour access to the shop, and the rest of the building's facilities. These members will be invited to participate in the functions of the Artist Studio Building, and will have all the rights of access as the rest of the building's artists. The Artist Studio Building offers 32 studios to a community of professionally mobile artists and craftspeople. Please visit our website for more information about The Artist Studio. www.studiobuilding.com

It is our intention to empower print makers and artists to use the facility to promote and support their ideas and practices. With our key-holder members we will collaborate on a variety of events including workshops, open studios, editions, and group exhibitions. We will work together to seek out other presses and print collectives around the nation to build networking opportunities. And we will work together to develop and explore income generating opportunities for the shop and its members.

What we are offering: Press access that includes intaglio, lithography, silkscreen, wood block, and basic letter press. We have large work surfaces, meant for both clean and messy processes, paper storage, minimal screen and or photo sensitive plate storage, personal item storage and dedicated wash down and darkrooms. We will provide selected materials such as inks and solvents, and other miscellaneous necessities. We also provide free WIFI, roof deck access, kitchen, and wood shop facilities. Members may also choose to purchase a page on our website for a onetime fee.

If you need more information please don't hesitate to call or write.

Thanks,

Lisa Pixley
Founding Member

Members accepted before January 1 will have their first three months of rent waived while the final touches of the shop's construction are finished ($90/mo. afterwards).

More information and application:

Pickwick Independent Press

Winter Solstice with Planets Around the Sun

2009-12-14T02:30:00.000-08:00

Planets Around the Sun
(Ian Paige and Caitlin King)
will be hosting a
WINTER SOLSTICE LOVE-IN
at the Hog Farm Studios Annex in Biddeford
on Sunday, December 20th at 5pm.

"Portland's switched on musical acts gather together in celebration of the shortest day of the year with the super mind melded sounds of Hersey State and Tin Ceilings, followed by Time-Lag Records' Prisma, the psychedelic transmissions of Planets Around The Sun and then a wicked massive group drone led by Computer At Sea and Tempera with internationally reknowned noise artist The Reverend Crank Sturgeon giving the Benediction. Audience members will be served a Four Course Meal throughout the event in between musical sets and are encouraged, but not required, to bring a Casio keyboard to participate in the final group drone. Emerging as Portland's most exciting new artist group, Pine Haven Collective will provide the visual vibe. Tarot readings and tea service will be available.

$5 to $15 donation (includes 4 course meal)"

This night will be magic, and I promise you cake from strange hands.

photo from autumnal equinox celebration at space gallery by bryan bruchman

PHOTO A GO-GO (Today!)

2009-12-11T12:40:00.000-08:00

adam lampton

moira greenspun

karen lewis

derek jackson

I wish I could make it out to the Bakery Photographic Collective in Westbrook today for their silent auction of photographs from 6-8pm

Check out the gallery of available photos

brendan bullock

erik olson

doug bruns

(The man pictured in Monument Square was proselytizing on Halloween; I walked by as church bells were ringing insanely and a strangely warm, strong wind was threatening to blow my friend's Anubis costume off. We heathens felt the rapture upon us for five minutes or so.)

MARIE STELLA play SPACE Gallery for [dog] and [pony] dvd release show 12/12

2009-12-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

photo by chris la putt

Marie Stella play their first (official, non-birthday) show in Portland since returning from NYC's CMJ Fest '09 this coming Saturday at SPACE. If you haven't seen their latest incarnation, come check out the keyboards & new songs!

The band is joined by Jacob Augustine, Jesse Pilgrim, and Wesley Hartley, with special guests Chriss Sutherland, Samuel James, D. Gross, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, Kris Rogers and The Loblolly Boy.

http://www.dogandponymusic.net/

Saturday, December 12th, 8pm doors, $8, 18+

Rowan Tree Press

2009-12-09T13:02:00.000-08:00

A couple of photos by Bryan Bruchman

from Nick Rountree's letterpress studio,

Rowan Tree Press.

sugar, coma

2009-12-09T12:44:00.000-08:00

a thanksgiving-born video by the ladybeast.

not for the anti-sticky.

First Friday Arts Walk, December 4

2009-12-02T17:31:00.000-08:00

We're opening our (many, multi-colored) doors again this Friday for Arts Walk, 5-8pm. Expect open studios, a peek into letterpress printmaking with Nick Rountree, drawings by Mattias Kaufman, a fresh zine compiling some very intimate moments from the Dooryard's past year*, and Katherine Hulit's oh-so-mysterious WITCH STUFF. Free cheap drinkable stuff!

*Saving the zine for next month, when we will host a reading of some of the choicest tidbits.

Studio space available December 15

2009-11-24T10:05:00.001-08:00

The Dooryard is looking for a new studio artist collective member beginning December 15th. Space is opening up in our large downstairs room; about 12x6ft curtained-off area. Under $100/mo for a downtown location with great sunlight & sweet folks.

We are more than just a room to work in; we are a community of artists, musicians, magicians, alchemists, performers, and space/time astronauts. Come visit at 108 High St. to check out what we're doing!

Goodbye to Katahdin

2009-11-24T08:46:00.001-08:00

The Dooryard bids farewell to our downstairs neighbor, Katahdin Restaurant. The wood fire grill & bar is moving to a new location in downtown Portland and will be reopening on the first of the year.

Their 3,000sq-ft former space will be available for tours by prospective renters or buyers come next week. Anyone interested in starting a radical cafe, gallery, or book shop with a friendly upstairs is highly encouraged to take a look!

NOVEMBER and ARTS WALK

2009-11-05T09:54:00.001-08:00

The DoorYard opened it's doors to First Friday Artswalk this month. Visitors were greeted by a Wizard, a vacation photograph slide show in the bathroom, a make your own Dead Man's Clothes CD cover tent was set up for playful fun, the downstairs space showcased 2-d works, a nest installation by Tessa McGow, an installation in the back with video projection by Will Lutz and Irina Skornyakova, the upstairs was open to showcase Nick Rountree's printmaking studio and an installation by Ahna the Ladybeast.

MORE!
can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acadia62/sets/72157622762316408/

and here:
http://hillytown.com/news/dooryard-collective-multimedia-installation/

Benefit Show at Geno's OCT 2nd

2009-09-23T11:18:00.001-07:00

FLYERS

2009-09-15T22:10:00.000-07:00

CAT DRAW A THON

2009-09-15T22:03:00.001-07:00

Revolting Sex Show

2009-09-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

A couple things from the Revolting Sex Show: September

Photo Booth - NOSTALGIA SHOW

2009-09-15T21:37:00.001-07:00

JULY 2008!

In the beginning...

2009-09-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

The beginning life of the space looked a little something like this:

1st Photo by Brian Bruchman