When you think of black velvet paintings, you usually imagine scantily clad, overly-proportioned, exotic women hanging in the back rooms of smokey tiki lounges, or collecting dust in your grandfather's attic; a gift of cousin Larry's from Tahiti. But didn't Andrew Wyeth occasionally paint on velvet in his day? And with-in the post-modern doldrums certainly other artists must be exploring velvet as a medium as well.

Velveteria in Southeast Portland was created to display 170 velvet paintings in the owner's collection of more than 2000. There are more permanent exhibits, like the black light room, and the wall of fame (classics like, dogs playing poker, and elvis are housed here.) There are also rotating exhibits like "the story of Jesus and Mary on Velvet" around easter, as well as the "Black is Beautiful" exhibit in honor of African American heros.

"I wanted a visual onslaught, a chaotic collision of colors, characters, images coming from every direction, flooding the senses. I like to see that jaw dropping look of awe on peoples faces when they experience Velveteria.

I’ve combed flea markets and stayed in flop houses from San Ysidro to Seattle looking for these fabulous pieces. Velvet painting is the Rodney Dangerfield of art. It’s the stuff nobody wanted like a red headed step-child. But that’s wrong. Velvet painting is technically difficult and requires different skills than ordinary painting. Our pieces range from fine art to 'Oh my God, what were they thinking?' " -Co-founder Carl Baldwin (taken from velveteria.com)

Velveteria has something for everyone, whether you are there for the kitsch appeal or to learn more about an obscure art form. Founders Carl Baldwin and Caren Anderson are happy to show you around and talk at length about the art and their passion for collecting.

Sadly the Velveteria, has closed its doors in Portland, and will be setting off for a "warmer climate." For now it is unknown when and where the Velveteria will re-open its wonderful doors.