Donna Erwin

Artist, Donna Erwin
Owner of Columbia River Gallery
305 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR
503-491-8407

Recent article from the 10-6-10 “Outlook”

Gallery Owner Inducted into Hall of Fame

Donna Erwin, owner of Columbia River Gallery, is a picture framing artist.  In September 2010  she was inducted into the PPFA Picture Framer’s Hall of Fame for her International 1^st place win in 2007 and has added 4 new awards in 2010.  In addition to custom framing, the gallery offers a wide variety of original art & prints, wood carvings, pottery, primitive weaponry, jewelry and gifts.  She founded Troutdale’s First Friday Art Walk, the Bite & Bluegrass Festival during it’s 3-year run and is currently helping to spearhead the WCGCC’s new Fall Foliage Studio Tour.

Biography

Donna was born and raised in Oregon, but moved to Virginia, where she finished the last three years of high school when her father was transferred to work in Washington, D.C.  After graduating high school there, where she studied mechanical and architectural drafting and graphic arts, she moved to New Jersey, completing her Interior Design Degree at the Art Institute of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

She returned to Portland, Oregon in 1984, married  in 1986 and started a family in 1987.  In 1988, she  began her love affair with custom picture framing.  “I love it!  I get to use all of my design background and it uses both halves of my brain…the creative side as well as the logical side.  I find it challenging, ever changing, and  very fulfilling.”

The following year, her family of three moved cross country again, settling back in northern Virginia.  Donna worked for two different framing galleries during their three year stay, getting an in-depth study in archival framing at one and being allowed to explore her creative side at the other.  It was there that she developed  her acclaimed hand carved matting technique, one that sets her apart from her peers.

The family returned to their Portland home in 1992 with two more little ones in tow.  For a short time, Donna operated a framing business from home before accepting a position in Troutdale at Caswell Gallery, where she framed for 4 years.  During that time, encouraged by sculptor and gallery owner, Rip Caswell, she competed in her first framing competition, and achieved her first National win.

Donna opened Columbia River Gallery in 1998 and has continued to frame for a loyal and growing clientele since then.  She continues to enter framing competitions in order to sharpen her skills and push her creativity.  She has over 20 wins to date, including her highest achievement, a first place international win in 2007, followed by a 5^th place international win in 2008.  She currently resides in Troutdale with her husband of 24 years and three college aged children.