People far from Pendleton may associate this Eastern Oregon city with its longstanding rodeo, or the iconic woolen blankets that have been milled there for over a century—but to get to know the modern character of the area, check out another cultural hub, the Pendleton Center for the Arts (PCA).
Situated downtown on the banks of the Umatilla River, the PCA is a stately sight. Formerly a 1916 Carnegie Library, the Italian Renaissance Revival building has housed the PCA since a renovation in 2001 and is now an art exhibit space, community event host, and a source of many art-related classes.
The facility was the culmination of decades of work by local arts advocates, many of whom also assisted with the establishment of the Oregon East Symphony and the Betty Feves Memorial Gallery on the campus of Blue Mountain Community College.
“When we do classes and have kids in here, we’re always cognizant of letting the children know that they belong in nice places; they belong here,” says PCA Executive Director Roberta Lavadour. She explains that attending an activity, class, or exhibit at PCA is often the first introduction to the art world for many people in the community.
“It’s essential to create a welcoming space,” says Lavadour. “Providing free access to a variety of high quality exhibits and classes ensures that we truly are making opportunities for creative expression and connection available to everyone.”
PCA currently provides educational outreach by sending staff members to visit regional schools, leading creative projects and teaching art-entrepreneurial skills in the classroom. PCA also hosts regional students on field trips, led by staff members Racheal Wilmer and Hadley Marshall, both of whom bring a vast array of art history and art-making skill to the experiences
Inside the grand front entrance, visitors take in the foyer skylight and the ornate wrought iron gates that open into the East Oregonian Gallery. This is an 1800 square foot contemporary art space that hosts art from around the region and the world at large. “In addition to showing work by local artists, we’ve had major exhibitions of some of the most iconic contemporary artists in the world,” says Lavadour. Artwork of French-American artist Louise Bourgeois—best known for her giant spider series; massive-scale painter and photographer Chuck Close; and Mexican-American printmaker Enrique Chagoya have been displayed in the gallery.
Alongside a spacious fine craft marketplace that features regional artists’ wares, there are several glass display cases on the main floor of the museum. Recently PCA filled the cases with a regional collection of nearly 60 handwoven, miniature baskets; a project in partnership with Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts entitled, “By My Hands: Holding Power.” Organizers hope to reprise and expand the exhibit in 2027.
A variety of performing arts and community events are hosted in the large auditorium that is at the center of the building. Visitors may experience bluegrass concerts, a wedding ceremony, or a literary reading. Downstairs is the home of the educational spaces with a multi-purpose room, board room that doubles as a gallery space for emerging artists, and a robust ceramics studio with a kiln donated by Roundhouse Foundation. “Our kiln, a few years ago, finally went belly up,”says Lavadour, noting the popularity of the program, “”Ceramics is really gaining in popularity, as is dance.” Line dancing and Western dance classes at PCA have been so well attended that organizers are looking to other organizations, ones with a large gym to host the classes in the future.
In all that they do, PCA prioritizes the welcoming spirit of the community. “We have people comment all the time about how it’s just so fun here, so comfortable…” says Lavadour. “Pendleton is really known for hospitality.”
Roundhouse Foundation supports PCA through a general operations grant that supports the multitudes of educational offerings and art exhibits at PCA. “I see it every day,” notes Lavadour, who has led the facility for the past 20 years, “It does make the world better when people express themselves creatively and connect with each other.”
