Tonight is Hillsboro’s First Tuesday Artwalk. For those of us who attend or host these fantastic events, we understand the unique opportunity that has come to represent. Music floats up and down Hillsboro’s Historic Downtown core. Visual beauty in fine art expresses the deep connection the people of Hillsboro have come to enjoy as we gaze upon master works of our finest creators. Shops throughout Downtown beckon us to enter and find unique offerings. And the people who make it work are at the heart of it all.
A History of how Artwalk has helped transform our City:
Hillsboro, Oregon, has increasingly cultivated a reputation as a city that appreciates and actively supports arts and culture. This transformation is evident in the evolution of our downtown area, which has shifted from a quiet locale after business hours to a vibrant hub for community events and artistic expression. A significant contributor to this cultural dynamism is the Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk, a long-standing monthly event that has become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape. For over a decade and a half, this event has consistently provided a platform for local artists, musicians, and businesses to connect with the community, fostering a rich and engaging cultural environment. The Herald wants to provide a history of the Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk, tracing its origins, identifying the key individuals and organizations involved in its development, and the profound Impact it has had.
The Spark of an Idea: Founding the Art Walk
The genesis of the Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk can be attributed to the vision and dedication of two key individuals: Linda Holland and Evan Acey. Holland, a local artist, harbored a strong desire to create opportunities for creative individuals to share their work with a broader audience. Acey, one of the founders of Influence Music Hall, recognized the potential of music to enhance community art events and draw people together. Their combined passion and initiative were the driving forces behind the Art Walk’s inception. The initial vision for the event was ambitious: to breathe life into what was described as a “dying business district” in downtown Hillsboro by integrating art into the everyday fabric of the area. The aim was to transform the downtown streets into a lively gallery, showcasing the talents of local artists and creators and fostering a sense of community.
The early days of the Art Walk were closely tied to the Weichert Realty location, which served as the initial home of Influence Music Hall. This space became the “birthplace” of the event, with artists displaying their work throughout the week and musicians performing in the same location. This synergy between visual art and music was a foundational element of the Art Walk from its very beginning. Further solidifying the initiative was the formation of Tualatin Valley Artists, a 501(c)(3) organization, with Linda Holland playing a significant role in its establishment. This organization provided a structure for supporting the arts and artists involved in the burgeoning Art Walk.
Early Footprints: The Art Walk Takes Shape (c. 2006-2010)
In its formative years, the Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk relied on the participation of local businesses that generously opened their doors to showcase the work of local artists. These venues were diverse, ranging from established art galleries like Sequoia Gallery to other types of businesses like The Artful Garden, Colours, and Catherine Bede Gallery, eager to contribute to the community’s cultural vibrancy. For instance, HART Theatre participated in local events like the First Tuesday Art Walk, indicating the involvement of performing arts from the early stages. This community-wide effort reflected a shared desire to foster arts and culture in Hillsboro.
TONIGHT is April 1st Artwalk
Venues to Enjoy at the Artwalk:
The Artful Garden and Company/ Dirk Knudsen Real Estate — 222 East Main Street
Boldly Fashionable Boutique—NEW! — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
Bowie Bargains—NEW! — 3rd Avenue & Main Street
DAnu Tasting Room & Wine Bar — 3rd Avenue & Lincoln Street
Dee’s Divine Finds—NEW! — 3rd Avenue & Lincoln Street
Catherine Bede Gallery — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
ColoursArt — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Crystal Heart Books + Boutique — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Favi’s Fabulous Cakes — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Insomnia Coffee Company — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Puppernickel — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Pizzario — Main Street & 4th Avenue
Résolu Cellars: The Winery on 4th — 4th Avenue & Washington
Top Burmese Ambassador — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
Walters Cultural Arts Center — Main Street & 5th Avenue
Weichert Realtors on Main — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
Growth and Transformation: The Art Walk Evolves
The Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk has demonstrated significant growth and transformation over the past fifteen-plus years since its inception around 2006 or 2007. This enduring presence highlights its adaptability and the strong community support it has garnered. One notable aspect of this evolution is the increasing number of participating venues. The Art Walk now encompasses a wider array of businesses and dedicated art spaces, reflecting a broader engagement from the downtown community. Alongside this growth in venues, the Art Walk has also seen the inclusion of more diverse art forms, extending beyond visual arts to incorporate a richer tapestry of creative expression. This expansion has broadened the event’s appeal and attracted a more diverse audience.
Influence Music Hall continues to play a vital and central role in the Art Walk’s evolution, consistently providing live music and nurturing the local music scene within the event. This enduring partnership underscores the significance of music as a key component of the Art Walk experience, reinforcing the initial vision of its founders. The Art Walk has also shown a capacity to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. For example, like many community events, it faced a period of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, being put “on hold for over a year”. However, the event demonstrated its resilience by returning and continuing to serve the community. Furthermore, the Art Walk has strategically collaborated with other initiatives, such as Oregon Wine Month, to create themed events that attract new audiences and celebrate the region’s diverse offerings.
The sustained success of the Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk is attributable to the ongoing involvement and support of several key players and organizations. Influence Music Hall and Tualatin Valley Artists, as previously mentioned, have been instrumental since the event’s inception. Another crucial entity is the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center, which has served as a significant venue and supporter of the Art Walk. The Walters Center, which opened in 2004, provided a dedicated space for arts and culture in Hillsboro, strengthening the foundation for events like the Art Walk. Its mission to encourage the development of art studios and festivals aligns perfectly with the goals of the Art Walk.
The City of Hillsboro’s Cultural Arts District, officially designated in 2019, has also played a vital role in supporting and promoting the Art Walk. This designation reflects the city’s commitment to leveraging arts and culture for community benefit and downtown revitalization. Creating a dedicated staff position within the Cultural Arts District further underscores this commitment. Beyond these key organizations, numerous other galleries and businesses have consistently participated in the Art Walk, contributing to its vibrancy and reach.
These local businesses are at the core of Artwalk. Each sponsors music and art in their spaces and pays the artists a fee to cover their time.
The Artful Garden and Company/ Dirk Knudsen Real Estate — 222 East Main Street
Boldly Fashionable Boutique—NEW! — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
Bowie’s Bargains—NEW! — 3rd Avenue & Main Street
DAnu Tasting Room & Wine Bar — 3rd Avenue & Lincoln Street
Dee’s Divine Finds—NEW! — 3rd Avenue & Lincoln Street
Catherine Bede Gallery — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
ColoursArt — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Crystal Heart Books + Boutique — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Favi’s Fabulous Cakes — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Insomnia Coffee Company — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Puppernickel — Main Street & 3rd Avenue
Pizzario — Main Street & 4th Avenue
Résolu Cellars: The Winery on 4th — 4th Avenue & Washington
Top Burmese Ambassador — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
Walters Cultural Arts Center — Main Street & 5th Avenue
Weichert Realtors on Main — Main Street & 2nd Avenue
A Cultural Cornerstone: Impact on the Hillsboro Community
The Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk has profoundly and multifacetedly impacted the local community. It has served as a significant catalyst for fostering community engagement and social connection. By providing a regular monthly event centered around arts and culture, the Art Walk encourages residents and visitors to come together, experience the local creative scene, and connect with their neighbors. The event’s lively atmosphere and the opportunity to meet artists contribute to a strong sense of community within downtown Hillsboro.
Hillsboro’s Downtown has become its living room. It’s an arts and culture center. That center is now allowing and making the space for art to spread throughout our ever-growing city. If our community is a beautiful pond, Hillsboro First Tuesday Artwalk has been a large pebble, envisioned by people like Linda Holland, Evan Acey, and many others, dropped ever so intentionally in the water that has caused a ripple effect of epic proportions.
Get to Downtown Hillsboro Tonight, or any First Tuesday, and enjoy what has been created. Everyone from everywhere is welcome!
Follow Art Walk At:
https://www.instagram.com/hillsboroartwalk/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1970831866475973/
