Calling Local Glass Artists: Feature Your Work at Purple Co. Congress During Portland Art Walk
At Purple Co. Congress, we believe cannabis culture has always been deeply connected to art, craft, and creative expression. This year, we’re opening our Congress Street gallery windows to local glass artists as part of Portland First Friday Art Walk — creating a rotating showcase celebrating the intersection of functional glass, sculpture, experimentation, and contemporary cannabis culture.
For decades, glass artists have existed in a strange and often misunderstood space. Many artists who created pipes, bongs, and functional vessels helped shape an entire movement of modern glassblowing while simultaneously facing stigma — and in some cases, legal consequences — simply for creating art connected to cannabis culture.
We think that deserves recognition.
Glassblowing has always been a close friend to cannabis culture: technical, expressive, communal, rebellious, and deeply handmade. From intricate scientific-style rigs to abstract sculptural vessels, this medium has continuously pushed boundaries while building its own underground art history.
We want to celebrate that history — and help create space for its future.
We’re currently inviting both established glass artists and emerging creators experimenting with the medium to apply for upcoming monthly window showcases featured during Portland’s First Friday Art Walk events throughout the year.
We’re looking for:
• Functional glass art
• Sculptural or experimental glass pieces
• Mixed media incorporating glass
• Contemporary cannabis-adjacent design
• New voices and unconventional work
• Artists interested in engaging with cannabis culture through art
Selected artists will have their work displayed in our highly visible Congress Street windows during Art Walk evenings, giving thousands of Portland pedestrians and visitors the opportunity to engage with the work.
Whether you’re a longtime torch artist, a fine art glassblower, or someone just beginning to explore the medium, we’d love to hear from you.
This is about more than displaying products.
It’s about honoring a craft, a culture, and the artists helping shape both.
To apply, please send:
• Your name and artist bio
• Photos or portfolio links
• Instagram/social handles
• A short description of the work you’d like to feature
Applications can be sent via DM on instagram or email to be considered for upcoming First Fridays!
