The Portland Art Museum is preparing to unveil its highly anticipated Mark Rothko Pavilion this November, marking the completion of a comprehensive $111 million renovation project. The new pavilion, scheduled to open on November 20, will add more than 100,000 square feet of additional space to the museum and serve as a crucial connecting structure between the institution's existing buildings.
For the past two decades, the Portland Art Museum has operated as two separate structures: the Pietro Belluschi Building, which houses the main entrance, and the Mark Building. The new Rothko Pavilion will bridge this physical gap, creating a unified museum experience for visitors. "So it'll add a sense of connectivity, literally and figuratively. It will connect art from different periods and connect people to art," Museum Director Brian Ferriso explained to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
The pavilion's opening will coincide with a significant leadership transition at the museum. Ferriso announced in August that he will be leaving his position to lead the Dallas Museum of Art starting December 1, bringing his tenure at the Portland Art Museum to a close just as the major renovation project reaches completion. The museum has not yet announced a successor for Ferriso's role.
As its name indicates, the new pavilion will showcase major works by Mark Rothko, the acclaimed 20th-century artist renowned for his vibrant abstract oil paintings. The connection between Rothko and Portland runs deep, as the internationally celebrated artist spent his formative years growing up in the city. This local connection makes the pavilion particularly meaningful for both the museum and the Portland community.
The Rothko Pavilion represents the culmination of the museum's extensive renovation efforts, which began several years ago as part of an ambitious plan to modernize and expand the facility. The project, designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects and Vinci Hamp Architects, aims to create a more cohesive visitor experience while providing additional space for the museum's growing collection and programming needs. Oregon Public Broadcasting was granted an exclusive preview tour of the new pavilion ahead of its public opening, offering a glimpse into what visitors can expect when the space officially opens to the public in November.
