Hands with Poem. Belise Nishimwe, Burundi

Blue Sky established the Pacific Northwest Drawers program in 2007 to expand the visibility of regional contemporary photographic artists. Each year Blue Sky invites artists based in Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington to apply to the juried call for entry. Selected artists exhibit 10 photographic prints or objects that remain in a dedicated flat file drawer for one year. Gallery visitors are encouraged to explore and open the drawers to discover the rich photographic work being made today in the Pacific Northwest.

Blue Sky received a record number of submissions for its 16th iteration of the Pacific Northwest Drawers. The exhibition was juried by Crista Dix, the Executive Director at the Griffin Museum of Photography. The 2023 cohort comprises a strong showing from Blue Sky’s home state, with 37 artists from Oregon. Other artists hail from Washington (11), British Columbia, Canada (4), Alaska (3), Idaho (2), and Montana (2). The photographic work includes both lens-based and alternative processes, with a range of themes including identity, environment, connection and loss.

The PNW Drawers is largely supported by a generous grant from the Kinsman Foundation.