By Lura Frazey

Imagine a future where senior adults are recognized by our culture as valuable contributors and vital role models, worthy of our acceptance and respect. What would happen if we celebrated our elders for their unique life experiences, contributions and wisdom? Who would benefit if older adults achieved physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health through creative artistic expression? How would you view aging if our society believed attaining elderhood was a process of positive changes and a realm of new possibilities? The Geezer Gallery invites you to join the revolution toward a whole new old!

Get involved with The Geezer Gallery

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Become a member. Annual memberships start at only $45 and include gallery discounts, admission to members-only events, and more.

Sponsor an art exhibition at your corporate offices or other location. We’ll design and install a world-class art exhibition in your building and handle PR. This is a perfect addition to any corporate event or reception.

Contract for interior design services. The Geezer Gallery has completed dozens of successful commercial and residential projects and we’re ready to transform your space into a showcase with built-in public relations possibilities.

Bring art therapy to your senior community. Professionally-conducted art therapy is available on a fee-for-service basis to corporations serving seniors in the Portland area. Non-profits serving at-risk elderly are eligible for low-cost or free services.

Purchase investment quality art. Shop in person at our fine arts gallery in Multnomah Village or online at www.GeezerGallery.com.

Donate warehouse space for gifted estate art. Because we work with older artists, sooner or later unsold art in their estate must be managed. The Geezer Gallery needs storage solutions for legacy pieces that have already passed into our hands.

Volunteer your time. We keep administrative costs very low so we can invest in programming, but we couldn’t do that without our volunteers. Your time is always valuable to The Geezer Gallery.

Spread the word. Who do you know who loves art? Loves a creative elder? Works in the media? Serves on a foundation board? Tell them about The Geezer Gallery today.

Support programs. Your donations change lives through art therapy, classes and exhibitions.

“Art therapy enabled me recognize and heal from sadness, anger, fear, self-loathing and pain. I began to feel joy, encouragement and anticipation of happiness.”

Jackie B., Senior Artist

Why Geezer?

Why would a fine arts gallery choose a name that conjures images of a grumpy old guy sitting on the front porch hollering, “get off my lawn”? Why use a moniker that brings to mind other harsh “z” words like gizzard, lizard, buzzard? Wouldn’t it be better business–not to mention better manners–to choose a less offensive label?

Well, maybe. Besides being cleverly alliterative, Geezer Gallery is intended to be provocative. We want to provoke conversation and new ways of thinking about what it means to be an older person in today’s world. We encourage people of all ages to talk about what a “geezer” is or can be.

In the U.K., a geezer is just a guy. The kind of fellow you might choose as a friend. Prince William has been described as a “fine geezer.” But in the U.S. geezer is used to describe an old person: crotchety, slow-moving, and annoyingly, no longer young. Male or female, “those old geezers” are perceived as a drain on society’s resources, a group whose productive days are long past.

So, we decided to take back “geezer,” redefining it as a term of strength, empowerment, and perhaps even endearment. Instead of a pejorative, geezer can become a rallying cry for all of us, regardless of chronological age, to embrace the creative forces that reside within.

Unleash the Geezer!