John Goodwin, Director of Community Philanthropy at the Portland Art Museum with its Africa Fashion exhibit. PHOTO: Cameron Perkins Photography
Moving to Portland in 1995 to care for a family member battling can- cer, John Goodwin fell in love with the city and never looked back. His lifetime work has been dedicated to hospitality and promotion of many Portland institutions along the way. One of those pivotal moments as the State of Oregon continues to enhance its commitment to diversity was a site visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum where he was part of a team from Portland Art Museum reviewing opportunities to bring the Africa Fashion exhibit to the Pacific Northwest. “One of the V&A trustees suggested that they had experienced one of the most diverse audiences to ever visit and was extremely popular, so our leadership jumped at the chance to participate as the only West Coast stop,” Goodwin said. As part of a Black Artists of Oregon exhibit, he also placed one of his own pieces on loan for display. His personal collection also contains works not exhibited that include those by Otis Quaicoe, Jeremy Okai Davis, Tristan Irving, Carrie Mae Weems, Shedrich Williams and Ralph Chessé. The youngest of seven children, Goodwin considers family matriarchs ART: [IT’S RELATIONAL]
as major influences throughout his life. “Kind, respectful, and grateful to everyone no matter who they are or their financial status” are guideposts that have led him to be a trusted philanthropic advisor to museum do- nors. Keeping the Portland Art Museum at top of mind is a priority. The financial goal for the long-awaited Rothko Pavilion is $141 million. The late renowned abstract painter Mark Rothko spent his childhood in Port- land and had his first exhibit in the city. “We are $21 million from our goal and are actively searching for leadership gifts to fully fund the project.” Art makes John think about his childhood and the struggles of his com- munity and how they survived and are surviving now. By using art as a statement, he believes that black art and culture can provide visual con- text to many issues that are still relevant to examine today. Advice to developing collectors: “buy only what you LOVE LOVE LOVE. If you can walk away and can’t get it out of your mind, that’s a good sign you’ll enjoy it for a long time. Go back and bring it home!” More information at: www.portlandartmuseum.org
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