Feed Your Soul With Art, Music And Theater In The Salem Area

The Salem region’s arts and culture scene offers a sure-fire way to get whisked away to a magical place. Wandering around the multi-media galleries, catching a local theater or comedy performance, and treating your ears to a classical violin concerto will surely nurture your soul. Read on for an inside look at how to immerse yourself in the Salem area’s thriving arts and culture community.

1/13/2025

Oregon Symphony

ART LOVERS LOVE IT HERE

If you’re exploring art museums in the Salem area, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University is a must-visit. Hallie Ford is Oregon’s third-largest fine-arts museum and has more than 9,000 works on public display, including Native American ceremonial masks and works by Pacific Northwest artists, as well as special exhibits ranging from classical works to provocative modern pieces.

In the nearby historic Bush’s Pasture Park, the Bush Barn Art Center exhibits brow-raising fine art from local, regional and international artists. Here, the Salem Art Association hosts four onsite galleries that are free to the public and worth a visit. One recent exhibit, “Reenvisioned: Contemporary Portraits of our Black Ancestors” by Portland artist, Jeremy Okai Davis, is a series of large portraits that tell the story of early Black pioneers in Oregon.

Downtown Salem’s Elsinore Fine Art Gallery is another wonderful place to ignite your inspiration. The gallery showcases rotating monthly exhibits by local and regional artists; plus original drawings, paintings, sculptures, textiles and ceramics by Salem’s Artist in Action members.

Located in the charming town of Silverton, the recently renovated Lunaria Gallery is a no-miss for its curated display of artwork and friendly, cooperative spirit. The gallery rotates contemporary work from both established and up-and-coming local artists, including standout wood sculptures, mosaics, paintings and jewelry.

In the historic town of Independence, pop into River Gallery on Main Street and get your fill of fascinating works by local painters, ceramicists, wood workers, jewelry-makers and mixed-media artists.

CATCH WORLD-CLASS CLASSICAL MUSIC

Classical music enthusiasts will want to grab tickets to an Oregon Symphony in Salem concert. Most shows are held at Smith Auditorium at Salem’s Willamette University and performances range from violin concertos of Brahms’s Variations on a Theme by Haydn to stirring renditions of Latin music accompanied by powerful dance performances.

The Salem Philharmonia Orchestra is a community symphony that makes symphonic music accessible to everyone. It performs about a dozen mesmerizing and affordable piano, cello and other classic performances at the East Salem Community Center every year; check the website for upcoming events and tickets.

The non-profit Salem Orchestra is a collection of talented musical groups that performs inspiring iterations of everything from Celtic and pop to 70s psychedelic music. The Spring Chamber Series launches in March; check the website for more information.

If you’re into global music, the world-class Smith Fine Arts Series at Monmouth’s Western Oregon University offers a lineup of genre-defying performances every year. From modern iterations of classic Bach to the music of Wes Anderson films and swamp pop, you’ll feel transformed.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN LIVE PERFORMANCE

The Gothic architecture of the 99-year-old Elsinore Theatre in downtown Salem is inspiring in itself, but the real magic happens onstage. Renowned for acoustics you can feel in your bones, the 1,290-seat Elsinore hosts rock concerts, the Oregon ballet, comedy and Broadway shows, live theater and more. The stained-glass windows and Mighty Wurlitzer organ only add to your experience.

About six miles west of downtown Salem, Pentacle Theatre hosts performances in a rustic playhouse surrounded by towering Oregon oaks. The 71-year-old theater company offers eight-play seasons that involve hundreds of community members coming together to direct, perform, build sets, create costumes and even sell refreshments. Tickets start at $20; check the website for the lineup.

Keizer Homegrown Theatre, just a short drive north of Salem, offers a refreshing take on community theater. This dynamic company stages a variety of productions, from modern dramas to timeless classics, in an intimate setting inside the Keizer Heritage Center. With a strong emphasis on nurturing local talent and creativity, Keizer Homegrown Theatre provides an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. Check their website for upcoming performances and ticket information.

Originally built by the Odd Fellows in 1900, downtown Salem's Historic Grand Theatre is about as intimate as it gets, with only 402 seats, and is a gorgeous place to see a concert, comedy show, author event or dance performance. Check the website for events and tickets.

Get ready to be inspired by the Salem area’s arts and culture scene. The art, theater, and music will leave your soul feeling fulfilled and inspired.

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