As summer approaches with soaring temperatures, what better way to escape the heat than by visiting a museum? Oregon is home to a diverse range of exhibitions that offer not only respite from the sun but a chance to indulge in art, history, and unique cultural experiences.
One standout exhibition currently at the Portland Art Museum is “Monet’s Floating Worlds at Giverny: Portland’s Waterlilies Resurfaces.” Now through August 10, visitors can admire Claude Monet’s iconic “Waterlilies,” freshly restored to reveal its original brilliance. The painting, deemed a treasure of the museum’s collection, is on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets range from $22 to $25. For more information, visit portlandartmuseum.org.
Another must-see exhibition is “C. S. Price: A Portrait” running until August 30 at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem. This retrospective showcases 48 works that highlight the contributions of Clayton Sumner Price, who is celebrated as a pioneering American expressionist and influential artist in the Pacific Northwest. The exhibit is open from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, with tickets priced between $5 and $8. Details can be found at hfma.willamette.edu.
“Outliers and Outlaws” is an engaging exhibit developed from the Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project. This collection celebrates four decades of activism by 83 women who left an indelible mark on Eugene’s social and political identity. The exhibit also emphasizes the intersection of Oregon’s Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities, featuring significant events like the 1992 Freedom Seder. Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, this exhibit will be available until October 26 at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Admission is priced between $5 and $10, and more information can be accessed at ojmche.org.
At the University of Oregon Museum of Cultural and Natural History, visitors can explore “Roots and Resilience: Chinese American Heritage in Oregon.” This exhibition, on view until February, integrates archaeological findings with personal narratives across Oregon. It provides profound insights into the Chinese American experience in the state and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Friday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The ticket prices range from $4 to $12. For further details, visit mnch.uoregon.edu.
The Oregon Historical Society is hosting “The Yasui Family: An American Story,” which chronicles the narrative of the Yasui family, touching on themes of entrepreneurship, racism, and civil rights against the backdrop of wartime incarceration. This exhibit not only solidifies the family’s historical importance through a Supreme Court case and a book, but it also intertwines with contemporary honors, such as a Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to Minoru Yasui. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays until September 6, 2026, the admission price ranges from $12 to $14, with free access for Multnomah County residents. More details can be found at ohs.org.
Another intriguing exhibit is “Saddle Up: Ranchers and Rodeo Life of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs,” which runs from June 26 to September 27 at The Museum at Warm Springs. This exhibit presents a rich tapestry of family histories, photos, and artifacts, illustrating the transition from traditional land-based economies to contemporary cash-driven enterprises. Visitors can explore the exhibit from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is priced between $3.50 and $7.
The High Desert Museum in Bend is hosting its annual juried exhibition, “Art in the West,” from July 5 to September 20. This event showcases more than 120 artworks focusing on the unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultures of central and eastern Oregon. The artworks will be available for sale in an online auction, benefiting both the artists and the museum. Tickets are sold at $13 to $24, with open hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. More information is available at highdesertmuseum.org/aiw.
For those seeking a whimsical evening, the Gilbert House Children’s Museum is organizing “Gilbert House for Grown Ups: Night at the Museum” on July 26. This engaging event is exclusively for ages 21 and older, promising a fun-filled evening with giant games, arts and crafts, a Lego build challenge, and live music. It runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with tickets ranging from $40 to $45. Additional details can be found at acgilbert.org/gilbert-house-for-grown-ups.
Lastly, the Albany Regional Museum presents the evocative exhibit “Oregon’s Trail of Tears” starting August 1 and running through January 2026. This exhibition features the landscape photographs of Nolan Streitberger, chronicling the forced relocation of over 300 Indigenous individuals in 1856, juxtaposed with excerpts from the journal of a Bureau of Indian Affairs agent. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, with ticket prices from $3 to $5. More information is available at armuseum.com/exhibits.
These exhibitions collectively highlight the rich cultural tapestry of Oregon and are perfect for a cool escape during the warm summer months.
image source from：oregonlive
