'Through Rhoda's Eyes' at Pittock Mansion

'Through Rhoda's Eyes' will run at Pittock Mansion from Sept. 6 – Jan. 1; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. The exhibit focuses on art, history and expectations of women during this time. Its goal is to represent 'Upper Class Portland Life and expressing innate creativity.'

"She was a very private person; what I find most fascinating about her is that she had these two poles. A call to produce art, and the pressure from society to focus on being a mother and a home maker," said Patti Larkin, curator at Pittock Mansion.

Rhoda is a grand daughter of the Pittocks, the people who built the house.

"People are really responding to the biography of a Pittock descendant," said Amy Mintonye, Communications and Marketing Specialist, Pittock Mansion.

Her work contained a wide variety of media. She started out painting and drawing, and throughout her life moved more toward fibers and collage.

"Generally color and shape was what called to her most," said Larkin, "She could turn a gray Manhattan skyline into something quite colorful."

Rhoda attended the Art Students League of New York and a small art school run by the Portland Art Museum.

Rhoda's life and experiences were indicative of women in a higher social class; she had a creative spirit. Some of her hobbies included creating posters for local arts organizations and decorating her home.

"She put her creative spin on everything she touched," said Mintonye.

Her illustrations of fabric were inventive, and used different animals and geometric patterns.

Admission for the exhibit: Adults $10.00, seniors 65+ $9.00, youth ages 6–18 $7.00, children under 6 free.

You can volunteer with Pittock Mansion and see some of the exhibits for free.

Interested in becoming a member of Pittock Mansion? An individual membership costs $35.

To learn more about Pittock Mansion, you can visit their website.

Images via Pittock Mansion