Hillsboro residents will want to take note of the many activities going on around the City that bring art and culture into our lives. After 2 years of binge-watching Netflix under the Covid threat, it is time people; time to come back into the real world and soothe your collective souls. The tulips are up, the frogs are croaking, and the blooms are on the fruit trees. Among the many places that you can go is the Walters Cultural Arts Center on Main Street in downtown Hillsboro.
The former Trinity Lutheran Church (1947) was built with iconic red stones that were quarried along the Columbia River in Camas, Washington. Over the decades the Church decided to expand onto their land at SE River Road and Minter Bridge Roads and the icon was bought by the City of Hillsboro. That purchase and the $2.5 Million dollar remodel were made possible by a $1,000,000 dollar donation that came from beloved local nursery man Glenn Walters and his wife Viola. The result has been a place of great beauty and function which lends itself to arts of all kinds. Music, speakers, fine arts, dance, theater, and a variety of other performances are had within the walls. If you have not visited you are really missing a great opportunity.
A concert in 2017 in the main performance hall which seats 200 is ready to start.
Here is more information about this wonderful place:
The Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center is a multi-use arts and performance venue in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Opened in 2004, it is housed in a red-colored stone building completed in 1949 as a Lutheran church. Hillsboro, a city on the west side of Portland, owns the three-level facility and operates it through their Parks and Recreation Department.
Walters Cultural Arts Center includes gallery space, classroom space, and a 200-seat performance hall. With two above-ground floors and one below-ground level, the center has a total of 15,664 square feet (1,455.2 m2) of space. Located on East Main Street, the Washington County Courthouse and the Hillsboro Civic Center are just to the west and the Edward Schulmerich House one block to the east on Main. The center is named in honor of a local couple who donated $1 million towards the project which included purchasing the property and US $2.4 million worth of renovations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_%26_Viola_Walters_Cultural_Arts_Center
As this month ends the center is bringing artist Shelby Silver for a special talk on the 28th, and this week Rejoice Dance Theatre is hosting a performance. Classes are opening up right not for painting, music, dance, and more!
Here are a few of the offerings coming up for citizens as provided by the Walters Cultural Arts Centers Website- Check them all out right here and get to a class if you can! This is a jewel in Hillsboro’s growing options for art and experiencing our culturally diverse community and all it has to offer.
Intro to Indian Classical Dance
Welcome to the world of Bharatanatyam, the oldest form of Indian classical dance. Learn a few basics of Bharatanatyam, the concepts of footwork, and expression. No experience needed, just your interest.
7 years – Adult | 4/7 – 4/28 | 5:30 – 6:30 pm
7 years – Adult | 5/5 – 5/26 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm
$48 Resident, $72 Non-Resident, $29 Senior Resident, $44 Senior Non-Resident
Sculpture Masters
Dive into your imagination as we create mystical creatures together! Learn all the basic steps to create shape, form, and texture as you bring your creature to life. También se habla español.
5 – 8 years | 4/26 – 5/17 | 6 – 7:30 pm
$62 Resident, $93 Non-Resident
Watercolor Kids
Discover the fun of watercolor! Experiment with color, brushwork, and learn new skills as you bring images to life and express your creativity. También se habla español.
9 – 13 years | 4/27 – 5/18 | 4 – 5:30 pm
$48 Resident, $72 Non-Resident
Beginning Flamenco Guitar
Flamenco is a folkloric art originated in Southern Spain. Learn the basic techniques of flamenco guitar. Two flamenco “palos” will be studied over the course of four weeks. This class is for learners with some guitar experience. Nylon string guitar required. También se habla español.
16 years – Adult | 4/14 – 5/5 | 6 – 7 pm
$55 Resident, $82 Non-Resident, $33 Senior Resident, $50 Senior Non-Resident
Watercolor Fundamentals
Explore the fundamental techniques of watercolor. Play with a range of possibilities, color mixing, brushwork, composition, and values with your own personal expression encouraged. Each class will expand your skill set and creativity.
Adult | 4/19 – 5/17 | 10 – 11:30 am
$84 Resident, $126 Non-Resident, $52 Senior Resident, $78 Senior Non-Resident
Cardio Line Dancing
This is not your typical line dancing class! Enjoy not only Country music but also Latin Beats, Contemporary hits and more as you learn dance moves and routines while getting a great workout.
16 years – Adult | 4/26 – 5/31 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
$36 Resident, $48 Non-Resident
Creative Open Studio
Create in the company of others! Meet new people, explore new skills, and pursue your individual interests with this self-guided time in the studio. The Walters Cultural Arts Center provides this opportunity for work on your personal painting, drawing, fiber arts, and mixed media projects, with space to practice techniques, deepen your craft, and to encourage personal enrichment.
Adult | 4/28 – 6/2 | 12 – 3 pm
$30 Resident, $60 Non-Resident, $18 Senior Resident, $36 Senior Non-Resident
Thanks DIrk for this article about Walters Cultural Arts Center – it is truly a jewel in Downtown Hillsboro and besides the various events going on there, it can be rented for private functions – meetings, weddings, auctions and more.
Your information about the Center’s history was very appreciated. Thank you for composing such a clear and informative piece.
Thank you! It is a wonderful place- one that shows how a family can save something forever!
All my best;
Dirk