Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Got a few hours to be inspired? Take an anything-but-ordinary journey through Wilsonville, Oregon’s unique art scene.
A Free Arts Festival Every June
Celebrate the spirit of imagination and creativity during the Wilsonville Festival of the Arts, held every June at Town Center Park. From art installations and demos to world-renowned authors to a micro movie theater, the free festival highlights more than 100 visual, literary and performing artists.
A Peek at “Historical Surrealism” Art
McMenamin’s Old Church Pub is home to unique murals and sculptures. The artists have dubbed their style “historical surrealism,” as each piece of art is an expression of the building’s history.
The Ultimate Art Tour
Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of Wilsonville is an extraordinary collection of art. Lace up your sneakers or hop on your bike for a self-guided art tour.
Start your clockwise journey at Jason Johnson’s Stylized Horsetails on Boeckman Road. Head east to Argyle Square for a peek at Whirlwind, a bronze sculpture by Martin Eichinger. Big John, a stainless steel contemporary art piece by Bruce West, is only a few steps away.
Continue south to Family Fun Center to view Sunrise in the City, a steel sculpture by Jesse Swickard. Up for an adventure? Scout out the Mentor Graphics Fit Trail for a hidden piece of art. Keep heading south towards the Korean War Memorial for another sculpture by Swickard, Guardian. Laurel M. Hagner’s steel, copper and glass masterpiece, The Beginning of the World, can be found at nearby City Hall.
The Wilsonville Library, just south of City Hall, is flanked by artwork on three sides — Re-Invention, a steel and concrete sculpture by Ivan McLean, Suspended Disks, a steel silver coat composition by Jill Torberson and Flight of the Moon, a spectacular steel and glass sculpture by Laurel M. Hagner.
The real treat might be what you find inside the Library. The moment you walk through the doors you’ll discover a significant collection of art, including a 35-foot ceramic mural in the children’s area. The library also hosts monthly exhibits by local artists.
Finish your tour with Wesley Bullock’s steel piece, Family, on Boones Ferry Road (by the Albertsons) and a metal sculpture in Lowrie’s marketplace, Look Up by Nosivad — a perfect reminder that art is all around us if we only raise our eyes to see it.
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Have questions about the best places to see art in Wilsonville? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
