Blackfish Gallery Hosts "Signs of Dissent" Exhibition

Month-long event features art, music, and activism in response to political threats

Feb. 5, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Blackfish Gallery in Portland, Oregon is hosting a month-long exhibition and event series called "Signs of Dissent" that responds to current political events and the rise of totalitarian aesthetics. The exhibition features work from Blackfish artists that addresses emergent political threats and longstanding structures that empower them, with a focus on confronting xenophobia and ultranationalist authoritarianism. The event series includes workshops, performances, panel discussions, and other community engagement programming that embrace the power of creative resistance.

Why it matters

The "Signs of Dissent" exhibition and event series represents the long tradition of artists as activists, using creative expression to shape the future and respond to pressing political and social issues. In a time of growing authoritarianism and divisiveness, the Blackfish Gallery is providing a platform for artists to assert the power of art in fostering cultural resilience and freedom.

The details

The "Signs of Dissent" exhibition and programming runs throughout the month of February 2026 at the Blackfish Gallery in Portland. The event series includes musical performances, workshops on topics like printmaking as protest, panel discussions exploring the "power of paradox", and collaborative programming with local activist groups. The goal is to complement the artwork on display and build frameworks for creative action and resistance.

  • The exhibition and event series runs throughout the month of February 2026.
  • Key events are scheduled for February 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, and 27.

The players

Blackfish Gallery

A community-focused art gallery in Portland, Oregon that is hosting the "Signs of Dissent" exhibition and event series.

John Daniel Teply Gallery

A local gallery that is collaborating with Blackfish on a "News of the Day" workshop/performance on February 13.

The Black Gallery

A Portland-based gallery that is collaborating with Blackfish on a panel discussion and protest poster workshop on February 21.

Don't Shoot Portland

A local activist group that is collaborating with Blackfish on the panel discussion and protest poster workshop on February 21.

CoDesign Collaborative

A Portland-based design collective that is collaborating with Blackfish on the panel discussion and protest poster workshop on February 21.

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What’s next

The exhibition and event series will continue throughout the month of February, culminating in a series of performances on February 27.

The takeaway

The "Signs of Dissent" exhibition and programming at the Blackfish Gallery demonstrates the power of art and creative expression to confront political threats, foster cultural resilience, and shape the future through collaborative activism and community engagement.