Portland’s Converge 45 Triennial Returns in 2026 with “Here, To You, Now”: A Celebration of Impermanence, Presence, and Place

Portland, Oregon, has long cultivated a reputation as a vibrant hub for contemporary art, where experimental practices thrive amid a tight-knit community of creators, curators, and institutions. On April 29, 2026, Converge 45—the citywide triennial marking its 10th anniversary—unveiled details for its 2026 edition, titled Here, To You, Now, curated by New York-based curator and writer Lumi Tan. The exhibition opens on August 27, 2026, and will unfold across more than 16 venues throughout Portland, emphasizing time-based works, performances, installations, and projects deeply attuned to the city’s histories, spaces, and communities.

The title draws directly from Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1985 science-fiction novel Always Coming Home. In the book, Le Guin imagines the Kesh people, survivors of an ecological catastrophe, who value the impermanence of spoken language. Meaning, for them, is not fixed but continually remade in the present moment: “Here, to you, now.” Le Guin, who lived much of her life in Portland, provides a fitting philosophical anchor for this iteration of the triennial. Her ideas of adaptation, regeneration, and communal knowledge resonate strongly with Converge 45’s ethos of fostering temporary communities and shared attention in an increasingly chaotic world.

Lumi Tan, known for her thoughtful curatorial approach that often highlights relational and performative practices, was selected to helm the 2026 program. In statements, Tan emphasized how Converge 45’s history of collaboration and platforming local efforts informed her selections. She engaged in conversations with Portland artists about impermanence opening new possibilities in their work and how audiences form fleeting yet meaningful collectives that transmit knowledge. These dialogues then extended outward, inviting artists from across the United States and beyond to respond organically to the city.

Executive and artistic director Amanda Donnan highlighted the curatorial vision: “What feels especially compelling about Here, To You, Now is the way Lumi has brought together artists whose work meets Portland with real attentiveness. These projects don’t just arrive in the city, they engage its histories, its spaces, and the communities that shape it.” This rooted yet expansive approach distinguishes the triennial from more conventional “parachute” exhibitions that import big names without deep local dialogue.

Venues and Format: A Citywide Conversation

Unlike traditional museum-bound shows, Here, To You, Now will activate 16 diverse venues across Portland. Confirmed participants include the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA), the Portland State University Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, Oregon Contemporary, and Open Signal Community Access Network, among galleries, campuses, storefronts, public sites, and community spaces. Opening weekend events from August 27–30, 2026, promise performances, films, and activations at multiple locations, including Oregon Contemporary, PICA, PNCA, and the Reser Center for the Arts.

This distributed model aligns with Converge 45’s origins. Launched in 2016 as a multi-year initiative, it evolved into a triennial format by the 2023 edition (Social Forms: Art as Global Citizenship, curated by Christian Viveros-Fauné). The organization’s core mission remains collaboration—blurring lines between artists, curators, gallerists, technicians, and administrators in Portland’s adaptable creative ecosystem. Tan noted that sustaining practice here involves risk, interrelation, and regeneration rather than repetition.

The emphasis on time-based and performative works reflects broader trends in contemporary art toward ephemerality and lived experience. In an era dominated by digital permanence and algorithmic isolation, Here, To You, Now deliberately calls for shared attention as a collective responsibility.

The Artist List: Local Roots and National Dialogues

More than half of the 28 participating artists are based in Portland or Oregon, underscoring the triennial’s commitment to the local scene while inviting broader perspectives. The roster includes:

• Trisha Baga (New York, NY) – Known for multimedia installations that weave personal narrative, pop culture, and technology.
• Rose Salane (New York, NY) – Whose conceptual practice often involves archival research and urban systems.
• Srijon Chowdhury (Portland, OR) – A painter whose luminous, symbolic works explore myth, ecology, and the subconscious.
• Jacqueline Kiyomi Gork (Los Angeles, CA) – Renowned for sculptural and sound installations addressing architecture, power, and perception.
• Lex Brown (Rome, Italy) – Bringing performance and video that probe identity and social dynamics.
• Gerald Clarke (Anza, CA) – A Cahuilla artist whose work engages Indigenous histories, land, and contemporary issues.
• Local voices such as keyon gaskin, sidony o’neal, Vo Vo, Linda K. Johnson, Marcus Fischer, Tannaz Farsi (Eugene, OR), Aaron Cunningham, Michelle Fromme, Annie Rose Macer, Elmeator Morton, Ido Radon, Morgan Ritter, Dan Tran, Patricia Vázquez Gómez (Mexico City and Portland), Lynn Yarne, Ricky Bearghost, Meech Boakye, and Rob Rhee (Seattle, WA).
• Additional participants include Frank Heath (New York), Amy Ruhl (New York) with performances by Sophia Cleary and Lu Yim (both New York).

This blend ensures the exhibition feels both intimately connected to Portland’s creative community and open to national and international dialogues. Many projects are expected to respond directly to site-specific contexts, from the city’s ecological landscapes to its layered social histories.

For a glimpse into one participating artist’s practice, consider Linda K. Johnson’s performance work, which often explores walking, knowing, and embodied connection to place (as seen in her 2012 piece Walking to Know: Satellite).

 

Context and Significance in Portland’s Art Ecosystem

Converge 45 emerges at a moment when Portland’s arts community continues to navigate post-pandemic recovery, economic pressures, and cultural shifts. The city’s indie spirit—evident in its history of artist-run spaces and interdisciplinary collaboration—makes it an ideal laboratory for Tan’s vision of impermanence as opportunity.

Critics and observers, including coverage in PDX Monthly, have noted Tan’s preference for performances and time-based artworks over static gallery displays, suggesting an exhibition that prioritizes experience and presence. This approach echoes Le Guin’s philosophy: meaning arises in the encounter, not in the object alone.

The triennial also coincides with growing interest in regional biennials and triennials worldwide, which often serve as platforms for decentralized, community-engaged art. Similar models, such as those in other mid-sized cities, demonstrate how such events can amplify local voices while attracting visitors and dialogue.

For deeper background on Ursula K. Le Guin’s influence on Pacific Northwest culture and thought, readers may explore resources from the Ursula K. Le Guin Literary Trust or Portland-based literary organizations.

Looking Ahead: Programming and Impact

While full details of individual projects remain under wraps until closer to the opening, anticipation is building. A gala event titled Here Together Now, scheduled for May 28, 2026, at the Multnomah Athletic Club, will help fund the triennial and gather supporters.

Here, To You, Now promises to reinforce Converge 45’s role as a catalyst for meaningful artistic exchange. By prioritizing attentiveness to place and the provisional nature of meaning, it invites audiences to slow down, gather, and co-create understanding in the present tense.

In a time marked by division and distraction, the triennial’s call for shared responsibility in attention feels both timely and necessary. Portland’s art community, known for its resilience and innovation, is well-positioned to host this experiment in collective presence.

FAQ

What is the title and theme of the 2026 Converge 45 Triennial? The 2026 edition is titled Here, To You, Now, inspired by a phrase from Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel Always Coming Home. It explores impermanence, the remaking of meaning in the present, and attentive engagement with Portland’s communities and spaces.

When and where does the exhibition take place? It launches on August 27, 2026, with opening weekend events through August 30, and continues through the fall. The citywide exhibition spans 16 venues across Portland, including PICA, Oregon Contemporary, PSU Schnitzer School, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, and various public and community sites.

Who is the curator? Lumi Tan, a New York-based curator and writer, is curating the 2026 triennial.

How many artists are participating, and where are they from? There are 28 artists. More than half are based in Portland or Oregon, with others from New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, California, Rome, and Mexico City. The full list includes Trisha Baga, Rose Salane, Srijon Chowdhury, Jacqueline Kiyomi Gork, keyon gaskin, sidony o’neal, and many more.

Is the exhibition free to attend? Most programming is expected to be free or low-cost, consistent with Converge 45’s community focus. Check the official Converge 45 website for details on specific events and any ticketing.

How does this edition differ from previous Converge 45 programs? Marking the organization’s 10th anniversary, it builds on the triennial format introduced in 2023 but emphasizes deeper local dialogue, time-based works, and Le Guin-inspired themes of impermanence and shared presence, curated with particular attentiveness to Portland.

For the latest updates, visit the official Converge 45 site or follow @converge45 on Instagram. Additional perspectives can be found in coverage from ARTnews and PDX Monthly.