Before the sculptures were fully installed and the public gathered, photographer and storyteller Houston Vandergriff and his travel partner Katie of Downs & Towns experienced Wilsonville’s new public art installation up close.
Their visit was part of a collaboration between Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory and Explore Wilsonville. Downs & Towns was invited to experience and help share the story of this community-wide art initiative and other regional experiences.
heARTs of Wilsonville: Many Cultures, One Heart is more than a series of vibrant sculptures. It’s a celebration of the diversity, creativity and shared humanity that make Wilsonville shine. Part art exhibit, part scavenger hunt — this open-air installation features 10 large fiberglass hearts placed throughout the city, each hand-painted by local artists.
In this behind-the-scenes blog post, Houston and Katie share their take on Wilsonville’s artistic debut, capturing the color, emotion and inspiration that make this project a source of community pride. Their lens highlights what the project was always meant to showcase — the power of art to connect us all.
Heartfelt Adventure: Exploring Wilsonville’s Open-Air Art InstallatioN
By: Katie and Houston Vandergriff
There is no denying the community of Wilsonville, Oregon, has a big heart. And now, thanks to a new installation-art initiative, Wilsonville has lots of big hearts.
The project “Many Cultures, One Heart” is a collection of nine large fiberglass heart sculptures. Each is hand-painted by local artists and celebrates the global theme in creative and inspirational ways.
We had a special behind-the-scenes opportunity to explore Wilsonville’s open-air art installation. Arriving in Wilsonville before the installation’s public debut felt like stepping into an exclusive, personal world of art. We met up with Zoe Mombert and Erika Valentine at the Murase Plaza Park for the preview. Zoe is the Assistant to the City Manager, and Erika is the Arts & Culture Coordinator.
The crew members set up the Heart Art installation for Houston to photograph. When we arrived at the park, their team was placing the last heart in line. Houston set to work photographing the hearts. Camera in hand, he walked around each sculpture to find the best angle, capture the bright colors, and show the textures of all sides of the hearts. As we watched Houston engage with the art, it was a reminder of how art is not just meant to be seen, but to be experienced.
The massive heart designs each represent a different approach to our diverse yet shared humanity. The hearts embody the theme of many cultures, one heart. Each heart tells a unique story through color, patterns, and symbols. Some are bold and bright, while others use texture and pattern; however, all the hearts capture a deep sense of connection.
Houston was especially drawn to the heart representing the Mt. Hood Territory – with the fields of tulips, a hot air balloon, and Mt. Hood looming on the horizon. One of my favorites was the heart overflowing with soft pink spring blossoms on one side and vibrant fall leaves on the other. Together, the hearts whisper stories of culture, people, seasons, places, and time.
The team turned each heart around for Houston to photograph all sides and get the best Oregon morning light. Curious onlookers came over to admire the hearts as Houston worked. The hearts looked fabulous in the park in a straight line, however, they will be even more inspirational installed around the city of Wilsonville. What a delight to have these works of art spread throughout the community.
We topped off the morning at Lux Sucre. I had the deluxe ham sandwich. It was as if a BLT married a ham and cheese – and they had a baby that grew up to be humongous! Houston chose breakfast tacos. There were three different ones, so he got one of each – bacon, sausage, and potato. I complemented my sandwich with a hot chai latte, and Houston had their iced coffee special. For dessert, we split a cinnamon roll with so much thick, creamy frosting that you couldn’t see the roll underneath. But it was there, and it was delicious.
The crew that moved the hearts and Baylee, the hostess at Lux Sucre, had all gone to the Downs & Towns website before our visit. I think Zoe and Erika had, too. They all professed to be big fans. They shared their admiration for Houston’s story and photography. Everyone was so warm, kind, and encouraging.
The Wilsonville community is rightfully proud of its local art installation with inspiring global flair. They have every reason to be. It was a truly special treat to get to preview the works of art before they were unveiled to the public. Seeing and photographing the hearts was a huge honor. Everyone made us feel like an honorary part of the team.
With Houston, every place we visit is a story waiting to be told. And when art is involved, we are more than happy to be a part of the story.
Thank you, Wilsonville community. Your hearts have won our hearts!
Header Photo by Houston Vandergriff
Plan Your Own heARTfelt Adventure
Houston & Katie Vandergriff
Art. Adventure. Advocacy. Changing the world — one photograph at a time.
Houston Vandergriff is a globe-trotting photographer, travel leader and creator rocking an extra 21st chromosome. Houston and Katie (mom) Vandergriff are the dynamic duo behind Downs & Towns, LLC.
Houston’s camera opens doors and builds relationships around three pillars of travel, photography and advocacy — and the magic that happens when you combine all three. The Vandergriff family journey inspires both inside and outside the disability community. They have shared their story on local, national and international stages. By working together, Houston and Katie are helping to redefine outdated stereotypical views on disability.
Houston’s photography and personal story have inspired a global audience. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Houston has traveled to 30 countries, including all 50 of the United States. Houston’s camera is a voice for inclusion. His award-winning photos have been featured in books, art and travel magazines, and have been curated in gallery shows. His work has been exhibited in group and solo shows in Venice, Rome, Lisbon, Paris, New York City, Los Angeles, Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Estonia, Perth, Scotland and even on the surface of the moon.
Houston is a Nikon Creator with Nikon USA.
Using photography as a metaphor for life, their message encourages others to throw away the impossible dream of wanting “normal.” They share fun ways to break the “rules,” and embrace the crazy. Houston and Katie share the challenges and joys surrounding disability on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X. The entire family works together to offer his photography and NFTs via his website DownsAndTowns.com.
Through sharing the gift of photography, they share gifts of hope and beauty.
