KEPT: WHAT WE ASK OF THE PAST | LAUREL REED PAVIC

July 10 – August 30, 2026 | A.N. Bush Gallery

Opening Reception and Artist Introductions: Friday, July 10 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Storage is big business in the United States. Institutions, museums, historical societies, even individuals, often have more items in storage than are on display. The paradox affects institutions and individuals alike: we can’t get rid of the stuff – but we don’t know what to do with it either. 

This exhibition explores the stories that can be told with these relegated objects – ones that are kept but relegated to attics, basements, or backrooms.  What is known about these objects? What sorts of stories can they tell? What questions do they raise about the past? What questions do they raise about present values and concerns?  Why do we keep them?

This exhibition explores storage and the things we choose to keep. The objects displayed on the pedestals are drawn from the collections of the Sandy Historical Society, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, the Lincoln County Historical Society, and the Gresham Historical Society. These four institutions are vital community hubs, sustained by inclusive programming, dedicated volunteers, and strong networks of supporters. Their generosity made this exhibition possible.

Historical societies are accountable to their donors, volunteers, and communities, shaping how their collections are preserved and interpreted. An art exhibition, by contrast, can approach those same collections with a different set of questions, inviting new perspectives and unexpected connections. The paintings are from the collection of the Salem Art Association, with the exception of Masher Mash Up by Ardis DeFreece.