Where do we usually see art?
The first thing you may think of might be an art museum. What about, on the walls of our
homes, or in businesses, or doctor/dentist office? Sometimes furniture is carved or molded in
unusual and creative ways, light fixtures or lamps can become works of art. Fabrics are made
using art, think about the images, or patterns on pillows or blankets. What about statues of
famous people or animals?
What is Public Art?
Public art is visually and physically accessible to the public – it is installed or staged in public spaces, usually outside. Art for public spaces enhances the experience of that space, inspiring pride and contributing to a deeper understanding of our community. It often relates to the history, culture, or mythology of the area.
Dinosaur Sculpture, 2007, Dreamland Skateparks
Concrete Photo Credit: Paul Landeros This fun sculpture is part of Jim Griffith Memorial Skatepark, a 15,000 SF concrete park named
after late mayor Jim Griffith, who was an advocate for Tigard youth and the skate park project.
Fun fact: Jim Griffith Memorial Skatepark was designed and built by Dreamland Skateparks.
Raise a quiet hand if you have seen the dinosaur sculpture.
Burnham Street Sidewalk Art, 2011, Tigard Volunteers
Stencil on pavement Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
Don't forget to look down as you take the art walk! This series of sidewalk stamps can be found
along Burnham Street and was created as part of the City of Tigard's New Burnham Street
project. The stamps were designed by school children who drew pictures of local threatened
species that live in the Fanno Creek corridor.
The Interactivators, 2009, Frank Boyden and Brad Rude
Bronze Photo Credit: Trimet
Commissioned by Trimet and found on the platform of the Tigard WES station, this interactive
sculptural table features 16 unique, moveable bronze heads that express a full range of human
emotions, traits, and conditions. The sculptures, in addition to being unique works of art, offer a
potential game that can be played by one person or an entire station of people. There are no
winners or losers, but rather opportunities for infinite encounters that can create social
interaction, offer insight or produce a simple moment of pleasure.
Rivers, 2009, Site Painters
Acrylic on wall Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
This mural can be seen on the wall facing the WES platform at Tigard Transit Center.
Commissioned by Trimet for the WES Commuter Rail project, "Rivers" is a panoramic mural
depicting people enjoying and caring for the natural riches found in the Tualatin watershed.
Building Our New Landscape, 2021, Emily Lux
Nova Color Acrylic paint on E-Panel Aluminum Composite Material
This mural is on the stationary shop on Main St, across from the Post Office. Lux said, “Some of
the symbolism involved here is just the ability for light to come out of the darkness.” She
projected the artwork image onto large panels, traced the lines and said, “it looked like a giant
coloring book, and each community member who came to participate could fill in individual
colors.” Over 300 volunteers helped to paint and work on this mural.
Tigardville Station Mural, 2010, Chris Babin
Acrylic on wall Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
Located on the side of Tigardville Station, this full wall mural combines the beauty of the Pacific
Northwest with a bit of whimsy, there are scenes of the local landscape with a smiling sun.
Decorative Glass Baskets, 2015, Live, Laugh, Love, Art
Blown glass and steel Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
Scattered throughout Main Street, these hanging glass baskets were commissioned by the Tigard
Downtown Alliance and made by Live, Laugh, Love, Art. Colorful blown glass orbs are held in
place in decorative steel baskets. Keep an eye out as you walk, there are 20 glass baskets in
total.
Butterfly Statue, 2016, Jesse Swickard
Stainless steel Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
Installed for the third annual Downtown Tigard Art Walk and commissioned by the business it
sits in front of, this butterfly was created to signify joy and movement.
Mobius, 2010, Ben Dye
Recycled Post-Consumer Materials Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
This work is currently outside of Symposium Coffee, it is part of the Tigard Downtown
Alliance's "Art on Loan" program, which places art leased from local artists in locations around
downtown Tigard. Mobius was created from recycled post-consumer metals.
Tigard Outdoor Museum Mural, 2020, MJ Lindo-Lawyer
Acrylic on wall Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
This mural, one of two painted at this location as part of the Tigard Outdoor Museum project,
contains references to historic cultures, local wildlife, and water. Facing one another, the two
murals create an immersive experience for onlookers. Supported in part by a $75,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant and funding from
Washington County Visitors Association, this mural was commissioned by the City of Tigard as
part of the Tigard Outdoor Museum project. The mural depicts the Tualatin Valley's earliest
inhabitants and what they valued most. These first inhabitants were the Atfalati also known as the
Tualatin or Wapato Lake Indians were a tribe of the Kalapuya Native Americans.
The murals showcase large animals as spiritual guides. The wolf leads a young woman on her
fishing voyage - an activity that had deep cultural significance to the Atfalati, and which remains
very popular in the Tualatin Valley to this day.
Tigard Outdoor Museum Mural, 2020, MJ Lindo-Lawyer
Acrylic on wall Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
The two mirroring artworks painted under the 99W underpass show a contrast in color. One is lit
up in mainly orange hues, while the other mural is muted in blue colors. The dueling colors
depict the two extremes of summer and winter. The murals' artists chose to depict the duality of
nature, with a cooler scene, and then a warmer, brighter scene shown on the opposite wall.
Artist MJ Lindo-Lawyer is a professional muralist with an extensive portfolio of large-scale
works between California and Mexico. Her works are inspired by the communities surrounding
the mural sites, making her the perfect match for the Outdoor Museum project which seeks to
highlight and bring awareness to the experiences of historically-marginalized communities.
Live, Settle, Advance, 2020, Christine Clark
Mild Steel Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
"Live, Settle, Advance" is a series of three sculptures that represent the history of Tigard,
honoring the Native Americans, Pioneers and the railroad industry of the area. One is shaped like
a basket, one is shaped like a tree stump with an axe, and one is shaped like a railroad iron/track.
They each have images woven into the pieces; apple, bell, water tower, leaves, mortar and pestle,
horn, vase, coffee mill, coffee pot, Dutch oven, vegetables, and more!
Tualatin Lifeblood, 2020, Jennifer Kuhns
Glass Mosaic on Stone Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
"Tualatin Lifeblood" features blue mosaic inlays that invoke the essential elements of land and
waterways that supported the Tualatin Valley's first inhabitants. The glass pieces running
throughout are placed in a pattern that suggests water. The mosaic contains other images that
celebrate the local area such as plants and flowers.
Unnamed (Fanno Creek Trail Mural), 2014, Ashley Montague
Aerosol on wall Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
Painted along the Fanno Creek Trail near Grant Avenue, this mural depicts a checkered flag-like
pattern that dips and dives along a retaining wall, creating an optical illusion that appears to be in
motion as you pass by. The mural was the first public art commissioned by the City of Tigard.
A Walk Through Time, 2019, Jeremy Nichols
Aerosol on wall Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
Located along the Fanno Creek Trail, A Walk Through Time was commissioned by the City of
Tigard and depicts images from Tigard's history, including a representation of the Kalapuya tribe
(the indigenous inhabitants of the area) and native flora (plants) and fauna (animals).
Multicultural Stormwater Art, 2018, Kanaan Kanaan
Acrylic on pavement Photo Credit: Metro
This art was commissioned by Tualatin Riverkeepers with support of a Metro Community
Placemaking grant. The work promotes awareness and stewardship of the Tualatin River and the
surrounding lands that drain into it. The mural bears one simple message, written in three
languages: Drains to Tualatin River. Artist Kanaan Kanaan painted the stormwater drain next to
Fanno Creek, which eventually drains into the Tualatin River. The mural is partly influenced by
the geometrical patterns found in Islamic art. The overlapping interconnection between people,
animals, and the environment inspired him.
Corylus, 2016, Brian Borello
Painted, welded steel Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
The pair of sculptures mark each end of Main Street. Commissioned by the City of Tigard, this
artwork was inpired by the natural features and agricultural history of the area - especially the
filbert (hazelnut) orchards that once prospered in Tigard. Oregon is the top producer of US
hazelnuts!
First, they were painted pink, then green. What color do you think they will be painted next?
Cross Street Banner Poles, 2017, Ben Dye
Blown Glass and Steel Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
This project features two artistic sculptural elements placed on either side of Main Street. These
stand-alone art pieces are used to hold promotional banners for downtown events. The Tigard
Downtown Alliance commissioned them.
Vishnu, 1989, Artist Unkown
Fiberglass Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
This sculpture rests atop the roof of Jeffrey Allen Gallery depicts Vishnu, believed to dream the
world into existence as he sleeps.
Universal Plaza Ground Mural, 2020, Susan Charnquist, Liam McLaughlin, Emily Lux
and Raziah Roushan
Traffic Paint on Asphalt Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
This brightly colored, 34,000 square foot ground mural was completed in 10 days and painted by
local muralists. The design includes multi-colored rays emanating from three in-property and
off-property vantage points, as well as a series of large blue dots connected by a
topographic-inspired path. The mural was created entirely out of commercial traffic paint, which
makes the colors bolder, and scope of the project even more impressive.
One Nothing, 2015, Susan Schimelfining
Salvaged materials Photo Credit: Paul Landeros
This sculpture is part of the Tigard Downtown Alliance's "Art on Loan" program, which places
art leased from local artists in locations around downtown Tigard. One Nothing was made from
salvaged farm equipment and steel beams from a building demolition.