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The Newest Exhibit at the Portland Art Museum: Gods and Heroes

Jacques-Louis David, Erasistratus Discovers the Cause of Antiochus' Disease, 1774, Oil on canvas. École des Beaux-Arts, Paris

Jacques-Louis David, Erasistratus Discovers the Cause of Antiochus’ Disease, 1774, Oil on canvas. École des Beaux-Arts, Paris

 

As a child, I remember that going to the museum was an event. On a particularly memorable trip in middle school, my class took a field trip to the Portland Art Museum to look at Native American artwork and artifacts found in the Pacific Northwest. Never have I spent a day in a classroom and learned nearly as much than that day in the museum. There’s just something about seeing the pieces, being up close and personal with these real life artifacts that inspires you, and makes you want to learn more.

That’s one of the reasons Portland Pedal Power is telling everyone about this new exhibit that is coming to the Portland Art Museum, entitled Gods and Heroes. Gods and Heroes will feature artwork exploring the mythos of humanity, from the Epics of Homer to Biblical Texts dating back to Rome.

The Gods and Heroes exhibit will include beautiful masterpieces which have traveled across the ocean from Paris, specifically the École des Beaux-Arts, or the School of Fine Arts for those non-French reader out there. This exhibit will feature nearly 140 painting, sculptures, and even written works that can be dated all the way back to Ancient Rome and Greece.

The most dynamic feature of this exhibit will show just how much the arts have changed throughout history, how anatomy, facial expressions, and perspective played a deeper and deeper role as time rolled by. You will see works that served as models for early students in the arts, such as drawings by Raphael Sanzio da Urbino (or The Raphael, for short) and prints by Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt van Rijn.

unnamedOf course, you don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate Gods and Heroes, either! The exhibit will examine themes from our own culture,  such as courage, sacrifice, and death. You’ll see  among the featured works examinations of what it is to be a hero, how we face our own mortality. You will see artist renditions of the Gods, seen as all powerful manifestations,  but just as deeply flawed as any human. Despite being centuries old, you will see artwork struggling with many of the same issues – moral, ethical, philosophical – that we struggle with even today.

Ancient History? Of course, but just as relevant today as it was in its inception? Yes.

Interested in checking out these exquisite works of art? Check out the Portland Art Museum’s website to learn more. The Members Preview Day opens on June 12th, and the exhibit opens to the public on the 13th. Be sure to check your schedule and get yourself to PAM!


Get Away From it all with TREO Bike Tours!

TREO 2Sometimes, you’ve just got to get away. Not just taking a day off and going to the waterfront for the afternoon, but actually get away from it all. Somewhere away from cellphone coverage, the constant moisture in the air, and the glare of the computer screen. Does such a place exist? And where do I sign up?

TREO Ranch is a unique destination for cycling clubs, team building, executive and corporate retreats, as well as family and group vacations. You can escape the day-to-day grind by traveling to Eastern Oregon, where you’ll see a countryside unlike anything you may find on the western side of the cascades.

TREO Bike Tours offers group bike tours with full support. Each ride is all inclusive, meaning you get a full set of meals, full ride support for any mechanical issues that may come up, micro beer and soda on tap, and even a hot tub for those extra long rides.

TREO 3TREO takes you through the side of Oregon less traveled. You will experience both gravel and paved roads (and most importantly, carless roads!) traversing both high a low altitudes. You can customize your trek, pick and choose which routes your group can enjoy based on the skill level (from intermediate to beyond advanced) and interest (speed, distance, and elevation).

During your bike tour, experience hearty meals and comfortable lodging at TREO’s western guest ranch near the Hardman Ghost Town in Eastern Oregon.  Their secluded and comfortable 3200-sq-ft guest house has 12 beds and sits on a 300-acre farm with the nearest neighbors miles away. After a long ride, you can enjoy a leisurely soak in the six-person hot tub, enjoy a game of pool, pull a cold one from your personal tap, kick back with the air conditioner on their comfy couches or relax outside in the shade.

Cycling might be your thing, but what about your cousin Larry, who may be less enthusiastic? Larry doesn’t have to miss out; TREO also has Multi-Sport Adventures, like Clay Pigeons, Target Shooting, hiking through Glutton Falls, and even Calf Roping for the ladies!

Check out a brief snapshot of what you’ll see when you sign up for TREO Bike Tours:

Jenn had the opportunity to go on a TREO Bike Tour in July of 2013. Check out what she had to say about her experience with TREO.

Ready for a once in a lifetime experience? TREO is accepting reservations for Corporate Retreats, so you can start team building like never before. Schedule your escape now to reserve the best times this spring and summer.

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