LINCOLN CITY — Lee Freed, a pacesetter in the Oregon arts world whose eye for the eye-popping inspired her design of a landmark building at the south end of town, died Nov. 4 at 95.

“There were no arts and music here in the schools, then they even took away P.E. classes. So we started a program to give art and music to the kids.”
–Lee Freed

Freed, who grew up in Chicago where she was immersed in art and music, managed a real estate company before moving to Lincoln City 30 years ago. She once described the Freed Gallery, popular with collectors from Portland, as a tool in her campaign to take the arts to the people. Notably, she started “Let There Be Arts,” a program for the cash-strapped local schools.

“We bring children in for concerts and tours of the gallery,” she once recalled. “There were no arts and music here in the schools, then they even took away P.E. classes. So we started a program to give art and music to the kids. We worked with neighborhood schools and made murals in the summer programs that have filled many of the buildings in Lincoln City with art. We’re educating the children who will eventually be our customers.”

Freed’s gallery on Highway 101 revealed her own eye for design. “I’m not an artist, but my late husband was an architect who taught me how to draw,” she once said. “I wanted it to look different, not like the typical Lincoln City storefront.”

What she created was an unforgettable building with soaring, 18 ft. ceilings and great columns of windows at the corners. Inside, rolling walls are routinely moved to create new interiors and displays for 120 featured artists. The gallery exudes modernism— imagine Frank Lloyd Wright with a budget of 4,000 sf — but fits like a glove in the bustling, much-renovated Taft neighborhood.

The Freed Gallery issued the following statement after Lee’s death:

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Lee Freed on November 4. Lee worked nearly every day—well into her 90s—at the extraordinary gallery she founded and loved.

“In 1994, when most would have retired, Lee launched Freed Gallery, offering exquisite fine art to the Oregon Coast. The gallery quickly became renowned among art aficionados, local collectors, interior designers, and travelers along Highway 101. The building itself is a work of art—designed by Lee—its soaring, light-filled spaces reflecting her vision of a place where art and people meet.

“For hundreds of artists, Lee was a patron, mentor, and friend. She had an eye for beauty and originality, but also for the spirit behind the work. Many remember her keen sense of humor, her candor, and her deep respect for creativity in all its forms.

“Lee’s generosity extended far beyond the gallery walls. She championed arts and music education in Lincoln County, providing art carts and fostering programs that inspired young people to discover their own creative voices. Her commitment to community and to the transformative power of art continues to ripple outward.

“Lee has entrusted her legacy to Emily Kauffman, a trusted member of her team, who will carry forward the spirit and mission of Freed Gallery. Emily and the Freed team will continue to represent the gallery’s talented artists, honoring Lee’s enduring vision of connection, inspiration, and excellence.

“A day of remembrance to celebrate Lee’s life and legacy will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Neighbors for Kids or Music Is Instrumental, two organizations that reflect Lee’s lifelong dedication to arts, education and creativity in the community she loved.”