Karin Clarke Gallery is a well-established contemporary art gallery in downtown Eugene, recognized as a significant venue for Pacific Northwest art. Founded in 2002, the gallery has been an active part of Oregon's cultural landscape for more than two decades, building a reputation for presenting museum-quality exhibitions that highlight both historic and contemporary regional artists.
The gallery is owned and directed by Karin Clarke, a longtime figure in the regional art scene who has led the space for over twenty years. Clarke comes from a deeply rooted artistic family-she is the daughter of noted Oregon painters Margaret Coe and the late Mark Clarke, whose work has also been featured and preserved through the gallery. This familial connection informs the gallery's focus on legacy, stewardship of artist estates, and commitment to Northwest artistic traditions. In addition to her role as a gallerist, Clarke is herself a trained artist and curator, actively involved in juried exhibitions and regional arts organizations.
Programming at the gallery is dynamic and frequent, with new exhibitions approximately every six weeks. Shows range from solo exhibitions of established artists to curated group exhibitions, often drawing from both living artists and significant historical figures in the region. The gallery is particularly known for its emphasis on 20th-century Northwest art alongside contemporary work, as well as for organizing the Eugene Biennial-a juried exhibition launched in 2016 that showcases a wide range of media, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media (currently paused).
The gallery's mission centers on promoting a strong regional artistic vision while remaining accessible and community oriented. Through its consistent exhibition schedule and curatorial focus, it has become a cornerstone of Eugene's visual arts scene, supporting both the preservation of artistic heritage and the development of new work.
Practical information
The gallery regularly holds artist talks and links to the videos are available on this website. Please also check this website for updates about our shows and available artworks. If you would like to receive news about the gallery, as well as in-depth information about the artists and the art on display, please subscribe to our email newsletter [sign-up form]. Please feel free to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
We participate in Eugene's First Friday Art Walk. Everyone is welcome to join the tour and visit our gallery.
The gallery is conveniently located near the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Eugene , with restaurants, cafés, and two city parking garages in the vicinity. The Saturday and Farmers markets take place less than a block away.
Artist Submissions
Karin Clarke Gallery is not currently seeking new artists for representation, nor are we accepting unsolicited submissions at this time.
