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Community Helping Shape New Public Art

Post Date:04/30/2025

Engagement-lead

Cloud Nest, the colorful geodesic art dome coming to Shute Park in late fall 2025, is starting to take shape! Artist Becky Borlan recently hosted free hands-on activity workshops to get additional ideas and inspiration from the Hillsboro community.

Community members of all ages were invited to share symbols, shapes, and patterns that they feel represent Hillsboro.

art-work-and-becky More than 300 art works were created across four events held at Lincoln Street Elementary School, Shute Park Aquatic & Recreation Center, Shute Park Library, and Shute Park.

Becky, who was selected as the project artist by a local committee with members connected to the Shute Park area, will look to the artworks and ideas shared by the community for inspiration for the cut panels on the surface of the sculpture.

About Cloud Nest

The 24-foot high powder-coated steel dome will feature colorful, laser cut translucent panels. It’s planned for installation near the playground area at Shute Park, Hillsboro’s oldest commons area. The design for Cloud Nest was inspired by Becky’s time in Hillsboro and draws from papel picado, Buckminster Fuller and geodesic domes, a soccer ball, quilts, and traditional plazas and town squares.

Shaped By Community

The artwork echos the voices of thousands of community members who shared ideas and opinions about the project through multi-year engagement efforts at in-person events, through online surveys, and with focus groups. That input was used to develop the vision, scope, and final design for the project.

Additional Engagement

As the project continues to develop and move forward, watch for additional opportunities to meet Becky, provide feedback, and help shape this exciting new interactive public artwork.