Now through April 26: The Power of Place

The Art in STEAM Gallery at ScienceWorks welcomes a striking new exhibition that invites visitors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the landscapes that define Oregon.

Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society

The Power of Place

Oregon’s beauty and spirit are as diverse as its landscape and its people. To celebrate this bounty, the America 250 Oregon Commission contracted with photographer Peter Marbach on two photographic exhibitions that showcase the essence of Oregon and its vibrant communities.

In The Power of Place, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Oregon through photographs celebrating the state’s diverse landscapes. From the rugged coastline and towering mountains to the serene High Desert and other cherished landmarks, this collection invites you to explore the places that continue to inspire and connect us all.

As you journey through these images, the commission honors and acknowledges that all the lands depicted in this exhibition are the ancestral territories of Oregon’s Indigenous peoples, who have cared for and maintained these places since time immemorial. This exhibition highlights both the natural beauty of these landscapes and the enduring connection between people and place.

Peter Marbach’s distinguished career spans three decades creating evocative landscapes of unspeakable beauty. He has authored several coffee table books and has numerous regional and national publication credits. A self-portrait celebrating sunrise on the summit of Mt Hood, one year after open heart surgery, graced the cover of a National Geographic map of the Cascades. His 2019 book, “Healing The Big River – Salmon Dreams and the Columbia River Treaty” continues to educate the public about the importance of modernizing the Columbia River Treaty to lay the groundwork to eventually restore the salmon migration back to the headwaters in British Columbia.

Marbach’s work has evolved over the years to pursue projects that contribute to the community at large, from working with tribes and first nations in their quest to restore salmon runs on the Columbia, or his volunteer work in Nepal supporting individual educational advancement for women and children. 

His projects have been featured on Oregon Field Guide, OPB’s Think Out Loud, and recently on KGW’s Grant’s Getaways. Current commissioned exhibits with The Oregon Historical Society include the centennial celebration of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway 101 in Oregon, on display January through September 2026 and the travel exhibits entitled The Power of Place and The Pursuit of Happiness, both celebrating Oregon’s unique place for the national America 250th anniversary this year.

We invite you to experience this powerful collection — and to deepen that experience by meeting the artist in person.

Artist Presentation and Q&A

Saturday, April 25

3:30 to 5 PM

Free admission | concessions available for purchase

Join Peter Marbach as he shares insights into his process, the stories behind the images, and the meaning of place in his work. This is a unique opportunity to engage directly with the artist and explore the ideas that shape this exhibition.