Hipbone Studio Celebrates Twenty One Years!
That’s right, Hipbone Studio has been in business 21 years, since the summer of ‘87!
I think a brief historical recap is in order-Director Jeff Burke
1986-Then partner, Sharon Chalem, and myself move to Portland to escape the negatives of NYC and start a figurative art studio.
1987-After exploring the local art scene and art schools in the capacity as art models, we begin Hipbone in a small, former dressing room off the Pythian Ballroom above the downtown Art Media store.
1988-After about a year, we take a leave of absence to spend the summer posing for a painting for our painter friend,Francis Cunningham, in the Berkshire Hills of Western Mass.
1988 (Fall)-We move to a much larger studio (1500 sq. ft.) in the Gadsby Building during the formative stage of the Pearl District. We grow and flourish there.
1992-Forced to move again by the sudden doubling of the rent, we find a smaller, charming studio just a couple of blocks from our apartment, at SE Ankeny and 24th Ave., next to what will eventually become Il Piatto Restaurant. During the next 14 years Hipbone becomes a fixture in the figurative art community. Sharon’s involvement gradually recedes as our daughter, Lia, sprouts and grows.
2006-Il Piatto’s need to expand requires yet another move, which is a blessing as the studio had outgrown the small (740 sq. ft.) space.
2006 (Spring)- Hipbone moves to it’s current, huge studio at 18th and E. Burnside, just 6 blocks from the old one.
2007-To add a new dimension to our offerings and to help pay the much greater rent, Hipbone seeks to also become a venue for all sorts of performances and events.
Presently, I am heartened by the variety of activities that are happening here. Either still or moving, the human figure for me is the appearance, the manifestation of the human soul, in endlessly expressive bodily form. A form through which we are continuously signing to each other and the world-at -large, our thoughts and feelings and innermost, fundamental being.
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