This Week in the Mercury

The Power of Failing

Music

The Power of Failing

The Jealous Sound Stay Together for the Adults


Freeze Framed

Film

Freeze Framed

Crimes On the Ice



  |  

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Music The Artistery is Shutting Down in March

Posted by Ezra Ace Caraeff on Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 7:25 PM

Photo of the crowd at a White Fang show at the Artistery
  • Photo of the crowd at a White Fang show at the Artistery

Well, this is terrible news. In a devastating blow to the already battered local all-age music community, Portland showspace the Artistery is closing down for good. After eight years—a lifetime for a barely-funded DIY venue—the SE Portland space will be shuttering in March.

The Artistery has been a steady member of the "All-Ages" or, more accurately, the "art-should-be-available-to-everyone" community since 2001 and will undoubtedly be missed. As George says, though, "All Things Must Pass". So, in the spirit of letting things go, we are announcing that The Artistery will be closing its doors in March 2011. In short, the development company who owned 4303 and 4315 SE Division sold the properties last week to a much larger developer who has plans to level the property. The Artistery will not be looking for a new location. It was a tough decision to make, but we feel as though The Artistery has run its course, and now it is time to make way for new and fresh ideas within the All-Ages community.

Honestly, this is likely to be more damaging to local music than the end of Satyricon (that club's best days were a thing of the past). Shows at the Artistery offered a glimpse of some of the finest up-and-coming bands—both local and national—in a casual and intimate setting. It was as informal as a house show, but with the efficiency of a venue.

The Artistery will be celebrating their respectable run with a week-long celebration in the middle of March. We'll post the details on that when they become available. In the meantime, please support your local all-age venue, before they all disappear.

End Hits: Portland needs its very own Vera Project.

 

Comments (19) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
Aw... bogus.

Well, there are always house shows.
Posted by ROM on January 26, 2011 at 7:46 PM · Report
2
super bummer.
more photos here...
http://www.natural-lightning.com/photo/200…
http://www.natural-lightning.com/photo/200…
Posted by ceelay on January 26, 2011 at 8:52 PM · Report
3
First they came for Dekum Manor,
Then they came for Satyricon.
Then they came for Artistery

PDX really needs more all ages venues, and a few years ago, I probably wouldn't have said that. House shows are on a decline because of a really negative and destructive element that seems to be infiltrating them. People who live at places that run house shows just don't want to deal with the headache of young people who steal laptops and graffiti neighbors properties.

That doesn't mean we should give up though.
Posted by jazzwusurd on January 26, 2011 at 10:29 PM · Report
4
they did it with no funds, everyone was a volunteer, nobody got paid - this sucks
Posted by NONE on January 27, 2011 at 2:01 AM · Report
5
All-ages venues come and go. If you don't have govt funding and you can't sell booze....that's a pretty steep hill to climb.
Posted by Chunty McHutchence on January 27, 2011 at 8:33 AM · Report
6
Great, another hipster venue I've never heard of didn't make any money. Shocking.
Posted by Oregometry on January 27, 2011 at 10:26 AM · Report
7
Let's open a new one in the South Waterfront.
Posted by Reymont on January 27, 2011 at 10:57 AM · Report
8
I remember when they tore down my favorite young person venue years ago to build condos. I'm sure another place will spring up.
Posted by towski on January 27, 2011 at 11:16 AM · Report
9
I have a lot of respect for places like this. Ten years is no pop-up arts venue.
Posted by NONE on January 27, 2011 at 11:34 AM · Report
10
@Oregometry: You are quite stupid.

What ever happened to the Stumpclub? They had benefit shows, put out a compilation - all to help fund an up-and-coming all-ages venue. Did it ever happen?
Posted by ROM on January 27, 2011 at 12:02 PM · Report
11
Am I, ROM? All the best all-ages venues in Portland shut down years ago: Meow Meow, Pine St., etc. The new era is places like the Woods and Backspace. They're just not the same, and the small-sweaty-loud venues are a thing of the past, as today's kids flock to the Hawthorne Theater.
Posted by Oregometry on January 27, 2011 at 1:09 PM · Report
12
@Oregometry The Woods is a 21-plus venue.
Posted by ezra on January 27, 2011 at 1:22 PM · Report
13
Ah, damn. I haven't been there yet, and I was thinking it's all ages. I stand corrected.
Posted by Oregometry on January 27, 2011 at 1:31 PM · Report
14
@Oregometry. Yes, you are. Reading the quote in this post, you may notice that "not making money" is not the reason it's closing its doors. Yet you are shocked it's closing its doors because it wasn't making money? Um, the logic you're using to form your opinions isn't based on the info presented in this story (which points to "you = stupid").

It was around for 10 years. And many of the shows were free to attend. And there was a record shop upstairs. Your comment is straight up dumb, bro. Whining about hipster shit isn't always that easy.
Posted by ROM on January 27, 2011 at 1:51 PM · Report
15
Actually, I was basically trolling because this was a venue where I never made it out to a show. Thanks.
Posted by Oregometry on January 27, 2011 at 3:32 PM · Report
16
Then why in the world would you disagree with me calling you on your stupidness? I mean, you seem pretty self-aware for a troll.

I encourage you to TRY HARDER with your trolling next time. "This hipster _____ is _____" is boring.
Posted by ROM on January 27, 2011 at 4:07 PM · Report
17
Oregometry should choke on a tube sock.

-Nate fucking Klett
Posted by lmbrjck_hrtattk on January 27, 2011 at 4:58 PM · Report
18
Because people that take blog comments seriously enough to immediately make personal attacks are....aw, fuck it, i can just go to OregonLive for this kind of conversation.
Posted by Oregometry on January 27, 2011 at 5:21 PM · Report
19
Ok, fine. You're not stupid. But your comment was!
That's not a personal attack any more, right?
Posted by ROM on January 27, 2011 at 7:17 PM · Report

Add a comment

Our Friends

Our Enemies

/images/adoftheweek.gif

ad of the day

The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.go


post an ad

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use