The City of Hillsboro is excited to announce new investments in the creation of multiple murals in Hillsboro’s Cultural Arts District.

Located at M&M Marketplace on SW Walnut Street, along 10^th Avenue, and at Main Street and 2^nd Avenue, the new murals will support local businesses and economic recovery, help grow artists’ careers, and connect the three hubs of the Cultural Arts District.

• City Seeks Artists for Mural Roster

"Bringing murals to 10^th Avenue will add value to culture, heritage, and home to many in Hillsboro, especially our Latinx community," said Yohana Parra, Director of Latino Business Development & Engagement for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. "Murals bring a sense of fond memories of where we have come from and the legacy we continue to carry among our different cultural dynamics."

The goal of the City’s latest investments in public art is to activate memorable public places, inspire community, and attract both residents and visitors to Hillsboro’s activity centers.

PICTURED ABOVE: "Food Is Our Common Ground" by Marcella Kribel, located on Lincoln Street near 3^rd Avenue in Downtown Hillsboro.

"Murals provide moments of pause in the built environment and afford space for artists to harness community ideals and open dialogues through cultural and creative expression," said Karl LeClair, Public Art Supervisor for the City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department's Cultural Arts Division.

By introducing a variety of partnership models, the projects will bring additional investment to Hillsboro through innovative collaborations.

PICTURED ABOVE: Boys and Girls Club mural by Arturo Villasenor. Photo by Rick Paulson.

M&M Marketplace: Walnut Street

Building upon the collection of murals and creative projects already at M&M Marketplace, the City will lead the artist commission to create a highly visible mural on the exterior façade, visible from Walnut Street. This is part of a broader effort to support community gatherings and activity at M&M, as well as the many small businesses that operate there.

10^th Avenue

In a variety of groundbreaking partnerships, the City is partnering with the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), which is leading a new professional development training focused on supporting the careers of local BIPOC artists interested in mural making.

A Hillsboro-based artist will participate in the training program by being paired with a well established regional muralist. The mentor and mentee artist will work together to develop two murals along 10^th Avenue as part of a design process that will include engagement with the local business community.

Main Street & 2^nd Avenue

Led by local nonprofit Tualatin Valley Creates, the former US Bank property will create an opportunity to leverage matching funds for the development of multiple, highly visible artist projects.

The City’s involvement will help make a significant impact on the landscape of Downtown, support foot traffic on Main Street and 2^nd Avenue, and create opportunities for local artists.

Tualatin Valley Creates will convene a community-based selection committee — representing the Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council and voices from Downtown Hillsboro’s business and artist communities — to work collaboratively on the vision for the mural projects, the artist selection process, and design approval.

 
PICTURED ABOVE: "For Everyone" by Christine Martell. Photo by Rick Paulson.

Working together with artists, partners, and local businesses, the mural projects seek to celebrate and highlight Hillsboro’s diversity, unique cultural assets, and promote the beauty of the community.

"We're excited that these new mural projects will support the hubs of our Cultural Arts District in unique ways," said Bridie Harrington, Cultural Arts District Manager for the City of Hillsboro. "The opportunity to combine creativity and support for local businesses, collaborate with partners, excite community members and visitors, and invest in local artists' careers brings multiple creative and economic wins to Hillsboro."

Future project updates will include the selected artists, project designs, and dedication events.

Learn more about the City of Hillsboro’s Public Art Program.

• City Seeks Artists for Mural Roster