HISTORY

Photographic Image Gallery was opened in 1984 at 208 SW First St in Portland, Oregon. During the 1980's the gallery exhibited and sold work by such blue chip photographers as Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Brett Weston, and Minor White, as well as the work of local and regional fine art photographers.

In the 90's, as price increases placed much work out of the reach of beginning collectors, Director and Curator Guy Swanson turned his talent and expertise to discovering and nurturing the work of new artists. In the mid-90's, Guy began traveling to photography events around the country, and entered into collaborative arrangements with a network of fine art galleries to bring nationally emerging artists to Portland. Many of Swanson's discoveries, such as portrait photographer Phil Borges, have since become world class photographers whose work has skyrocketed in value.

Later, the gallery was moved to its current location at 240 SW First Avenue in the Historic Old Town district and with it's two floors of gallery space houses a large collection of contemporary photography, photography posters, and offers complete custom framing services, consultation, and classes in collecting art.

Mission & Philosophy

Curator Guy Swanson

History of the Gallery

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