Portland Arts & Lectures

Since 1984, Portland Arts & Lectures has brought leading authors, historians, artists and critics to the stage to discuss their work and the trajectory of contemporary culture. These vibrant evenings have become a Portland tradition. Through a six-part lecture series and special events, Portland Arts & Lectures connects readers and writers in a spirit of intellectual curiosity and engagement.
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The Portland Arts & Lectures series is sponsored by Gard Communications, Oregon Council for the Humanities, The Oregonian, Powell’s Books and Willamette University. Major support is also provided by The Paul G. Allen Foundation and The Heathman Hotel.

Main Series

Richard Russo

September 18, 2008

Portland Arts & Lectures

Richard Russo’s novels include Nobody’s Fool (1993) and Empire Falls (2002), which won the Pulitzer Prize.

 

Annie Leibovitz

November 20, 2008

Portland Arts & Lectures

Photographer Annie Leibovitz has six books—most recently A Photographer’s Life 1990-2005—and will publish a new book in the fall.

 

Michael Pollan

January 13, 2009

Portland Arts & Lectures

Michael Pollan’s New York Times bestsellers include The Botany of Desire (2001) and In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto (2008).

 

Ann Patchett with Elizabeth Gilbert

February 10, 2009

Portland Arts & Lectures

The two writers will share our Portland stage to discuss friendship and the writing process.

 

Scott Simon

March 17, 2009

Portland Arts & Lectures

Scott Simon is a reporter, novelist and host of Weekend Edition Saturday on National Public Radio.

 

Mira Nair

April 29, 2009

Portland Arts & Lectures

Director Mira Nair’s most recent film, The Namesake (2007), is an adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.

 

 

Reading selections for the 2007-2008 series
Past Events
Past Events 1984-2004

Special Events

David Sedaris

October 31, 2008

Special Events

David Sedaris’ next book of essays, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, will be published in June 2008.

 

 

Past Events