The Magic 25: A Reflection on Roberta Wong

Roberta Wong
1985–1988 Administrative Assistant & Gallery Coordinator, IFCC
1991–1992 Project Director, IFCC 10th Anniversary Exhibit & Auction
1995–2004 Gallery Director, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC)

“I am a Wasco Native basket weaver, starting my career in 1993. In 1995, the first exhibit that I and my sister, BK Courtney, were invited to, was at IFCC. Roberta Wong was instrumental in curating the exhibit, and encouraging us to continue our work. She did good publicity, and we had a very good turnout. It was our first exhibit, and we were impressed with the networking that Roberta managed for us. Our careers jump started with this exhibit.

In the fall of 1997, Roberta invited me to do a one-woman exhibit, at the same time that the Native American Art Studies Association held their biennial meeting in Portland. This is an international group of mainly university and museum professionals. Again, Roberta did the wonderful installation, provided lots of publicity, and as a result I had good sales, as well as a good turnout. The museum and university professionals came to the exhibit. This was the first time that I sold to an international museum, The British Museum, in London. Thanks to Roberta’s hard work in providing me the publicity.

In 2002, I applied for and received the IFCC artist in residence. Roberta encouraged me to apply. She helped me decide on which class to teach as part of the residency and how to advertise for participants. Again she did a fantastic job in installing my work from the residency.

Roberta is a “grounded” person; keeping her cool at last minute deadlines, an excellent communicator covering all aspects of expectations from me as an artist, offering good advice for publicity, creating beautiful invitations, and seeing that all details are covered.

Roberta was very good in explaining why she was exhibiting and installing the items as she arranged them: lighting, grouping, color, design, etc. I learned a lot from her. I also appreciated her carpentry skills in the installations!

I enjoy IFCC’s exhibits, and the performances. It is a long drive for me to attend these, but I feel it is worthwhile to feed my “soul” with these artistic programs.

I really appreciate IFCC for its generosity in providing exhibits for minorities, ethnic groups, and emerging artists. In addition to visual arts, they offer performing arts, and arts that are child oriented. No other gallery in Portland offers these diverse opportunities.

Thank you, IFCC, and keep up the good work.”
by Pat Courtney Gold

“Roberta was synonymous with IFCC. I met her there many years ago and she was always there to answer questions, offer suggestions, or just offer tea. She always made me feel welcome and that I was a special person to her. Then, I noticed she treated everyone else the same way. And it was genuine because she is a genuine soul. And a very hard worker with such a strong work ethic. The world is a better place because of her. And, we had many excellent shows at IFCC. I will always be grateful to Roberta for her wonderful support of me and my work.”

by Lillian Pitt

“Roberta Wong, Artist and formal Director of IFCC Visual Art Gallery… She is at roots of a diverse garden flourishing through the spirited river flowing into the veins of the life of IFCC for nearly two decades. Roberta now spiritually feeds us with her own art, roaming freely, drawn to welcoming wells for the nourishment of artists like Roberta.

I am a local artist (coupled with my life mate, James Harger), showing in local small galleries and coffee houses, with a website: bluedotart.org. I am completely grateful for what loving guidance, encouragement, patience, and professional expertise, Roberta so freely shared with me; I approached her for the opportunity to show at IFCC, in the year 2002.

The autumn day seemed clear and seasonally comfortable: the sun warm and blue in the sky…kind of what it feels like to look into Roberta’s eyes and smiling face. Her cheeks glow and lips wide, like pink feathers floating and gentle. I felt safe to be myself…to share the paintings I carried into her gallery space. We spoke as equals. The conversation was fun and productive. I felt flattered that she saw my work with excitement and promise. She shared her sandwich that she had made from home for lunch, and made a beautiful offering of tea for each of us. It was the best lunch I had ever experienced in my entire life. I knew it was a spiritual blessing to have that time, that moment with Roberta.

Over that year Roberta mentored me on the professional aspects of the artist’s relationship and legality with a gallery; as well as fine tuning my paintings, and creating a show with a common and meaningful thread. She helped me edit my artist statement…Keeping my most inner expressions alive and heard.

Roberta is very professional, knowledgeable humble in spirit. I love Roberta for helping me master my fears and working to create the art of my intentions and moving forward in my love for art.”
by Shuzet Miller

“I first met Roberta in 1996 when we started working on the Jonathan Green exhibit. We had a lot of contact during those two years leading up to his exhibit and for succeeding years. Roberta was an active participant in many aspects of the planning and preparation for that event. When Jonathan arrived for the opening of the show, he told me that Roberta’s arrangement of his work was the finest he had seen. One person, upon walking into the gallery, was heard to exclaim, “This is stunning!” I agree, it was.

I came to greatly appreciate Roberta’s skill in presenting many varieties of artistic expression. She provided the opportunity for artists to have their first shows and she brought to IFCC long established fine artists well known in the area. I was always excited as I walked up those stairs to see the latest exhibit. Roberta had a way of displaying art in that small place that drew people to IFCC. The variety of exhibits was amazing. I remember one of work done by a man up in Washington who created interesting creatures and shapes out of plastic bottles he collected at the dump. I remember the beautiful masks made by Lillian Pitt. Then my mind goes on to so many other exhibits that challenged one’s established thoughts about social issues and exhibits of beautiful art that deeply stirred the viewer. Thank you Roberta, for bringing all of this to our metropolitan community. Thank you too for your strong commitment to IFCC and its mission in serving the community.”
by Dorothy Martin

“Any organization that expects to have longevity must have members who believe in the mission of the organization. In that regard those members pass their passion on to others and the mission then continues to be embraced. This is the spirit of Roberta Wong who from the very beginning of her tenure understood the mission of the IFCC. Her passion for the heart of artists and her passion for the potential of the IFCC as a trailblazer in promoting a respect for diversity through the arts, is her gift to the City of Portland, and for me personally, Roberta was an answer to a prayer.”
by: Susan Goodson Fatherree, Ph.D.
(Formerly Sue Busby, IFCC Executive Director 1982–1997)

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