Professional Theatre, Symphonies, and a Cultural Arts Center—Oh My

Did you know that Hillsboro is home to not one, but two local orchestras—the Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra and the Westside Community & Youth Orchestra? Did you know that we have a national award-winning theatre company, Bag&Baggage Productions, right in Downtown Hillsboro? Or that you can attend an art opening, live performances, and art classes, all in one place, at the Walters Cultural Arts Center? These are just a few of the arts and cultural opportunities you might be missing right in your hometown. When the City of Hillsboro was working on our Cultural Arts Action Plan, we surveyed hundreds of community members online and in person at farmers’ markets, libraries, and parks. The surveys revealed a tremendous interest in having arts resources available locally. Survey respondents asked for everything from a children’s museum to more late night dance clubs. Most surprising was how many people asked for resources that already exist! Our everyday lives are so busy, and sometimes the more there is—more sources of information, more things to do—the harder it is to find out about the events you would really like to know about. Our local arts and cultural groups are trying to reach you, through websites, social media, and email lists. They post flyers, send mailers, and buy ads in newspapers—online or in print. Even with all of this effort, there is no way to reach everyone who may enjoy what they have to offer, whether that be a concert, play, festival, art show, or class. October is Hillsboro Arts Month and this year, though you may not be able to attend an event in person, celebrate Hillsboro’s arts community by getting to know some of the fantastic local organizations and art-based businesses in your backyard. Some are taking a necessary hiatus from public programs during the pandemic, but you can still learn about them on their website, join their mailing list, or follow them on social media to hear about new events when they are able to return. Other groups are offering online events—many for free—that you and your entire household could enjoy right now. On the next four pages, we have listings for many of the organizations active in our community. Check them out, start following the organizations that interest you, and, if you are able, consider donating now, to ensure they survive and thrive in our community.

Photos (starting top left, clockwise): Dawning McGinnis teaches a class at the Walters, Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra performing, Portland Taiko on the Walters’ stage, Bag&Baggage Productions performance.

Airlie Press

HART Theatre

Hillsboro Historical Society

Airlie Press Airlie Press is a nonprofit publisher run by writers, dedicated to cultivating and sustaining fine contemporary poetry and to promoting poets from the Pacific Northwest. They produce one to three full-length volumes a year. As a press, they are committed to participating in the ongoing conversation and practice regarding inclusion and equity. To this end, they encourage submissions from underrepresented voices and poets from marginalized communities. All funds earned through book sales, subscription orders, and contributions are returned to Airlie Press for the creation of new books of poetry.

AirliePress.org Facebook.com/AirliePressPDX

Bag&Baggage Productions Bag&Baggage Productions is Hillsboro’s resident professional theater company which has garnered both regional and national awards. They started as a traveling company, hence the name Bag&Baggage, focused on producing the highest quality theater productions. After several years performing at the Venetian Theater, they secured their own home venue at The Vault in Downtown Hillsboro. Their mission is to crack open and explore the classics of world literature through innovative and provocative theater productions, while connecting these great works to the people in our diverse community in a way that affirms our shared humanity.

BagnBaggage.org Facebook.com/BagnBaggage

Golden Road Art Studios Once upon a time, a printmaker and artist named Barbara Mason bought a little house in Hillsboro and Golden Road Art Studios was established. Golden Road is also the studio home of Martin Conley, Cheryl Cameron, and Gayle Ritt. Visitors to the studio will see wood sculpture, silk painting, photography, and printmaking and are sure to find their own creativity inspired. Additionally, Golden Road Arts is producing videos to assist teachers in leading art projects in the classroom.

GoldenRoadArtStudios.com Facebook.com/Golden-Road-Arts-100220174959259

HART Theatre Hillsboro Artists’ Regional Theatre, commonly known as HART, is Hillsboro’s premiere community theatre. Located Downtown in Hillsboro’s city center, HART is known for its many great productions over its 25-year history. The theatre’s productions have included drama, romance, comedy, mystery, musicals, and even Shakespeare. In each case, they have utilized the best in local talent on stage and behind the scenes with many returning numerous times to participate in HART performances. Additionally, HART offers theater camps for kids through YAST, Young Actors’ Summer Theater, where children have the opportunity to create and perform a play in just two weeks.

Hart-Theatre.org Facebook.com/HARTtheatre

Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra

Hillsboro Historical Society The Hillsboro Historical Society was founded in 2000 and since its beginning has focused on projects that share local history with the public. Among these have been guided tours of historic Hillsboro; “Monumental Moments” events at the Pioneer Cemetery with costumed interpreters telling the stories of our dearly departed; curating a historic exhibit at the Shute Park Library; several “Hillsboro’s Treasures” events held at local retirement complexes; the Time Travelers’ Ball and Exposition, and they are now working on “Stories on the Streets” with signage revealing tales from Downtown Hillsboro’s colorful past.

HistoricHillsboro.org Facebook.com/HillsboroHistorical

Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra

Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra, a 70+ member orchestra, is in its 20 th season providing three low-cost, family-friendly concerts each year in Hillsboro and the surrounding communities. Concerts feature popular themes such as the music of Fantasia, music for the Wild West, and the music of John Williams. Additionally, the Orchestra has several smaller ensembles that have played at the Farmers’ Markets, Tuesday Night Market, and events around town. During this pandemic time-out, their members are playing in their neighborhoods and looking forward to performing together again.

HillsboroSymphony.org Facebook.com/HillsboroSymphonyOrchestra

The Immigrant Story

The Immigrant Story From the moment that humans crossed the Bering Strait to reach what is now the United States—possibly earlier—ours has been a nation of immigrants. The stories of immigrants comprise our nation’s collective history and its rich, multicultural present. The Immigrant Story documents the voices and stories of immigrants in short, accessible visual and written formats. Their vision is to share content to enhance empathy and create an inclusive community. Their goal is both to advance the national dialogue and to dispel myths about new Americans through strong, thoughtful narratives. They share their stories through online and in person exhibits and storytelling events.

TheImmigrantStory.org Facebook.com/TheImmigrantStory

“Art is fundamental… Even in difficult economic times – especially in difficult economic times – the arts are essential.” –Maria Shriver , journalist

Sequoia Gallery + Studios

Oregon Chorale The Oregon Chorale is a sixty-voice symphonic choir directed by Jason Sabino. Founded in Hillsboro, the Oregon Chorale has been delighting audiences since 1985, performing choral music from around the world and maintaining an appreciation for technique while exhibiting flexibility of musical style. The passion they have for singing challenging, beautiful music is matched only by their love of the community. They have sung in over 40 languages and traveled all over the world. Their concerts showcase a variety of styles from Classical to Baroque, Renaissance to Contemporary, while the less formal presentations include world folk music, spirituals, dinner theater, and staged shows.

OregonChorale.org Facebook.com/OregonChorale

Rasika Rasika is focused on presenting the classical performing arts of India to local audiences and providing high quality music and dance classes in their Hillsboro studio. Rasika has been critical in expanding the scope of diversity and ethno-music presentations in the region, bringing ethnic artists to the Metro area over 18 seasons. Despite the many challenges faced by most organizations in a small city, with rising costs for artist fees, theater rentals, travel, and administrative expenses, Rasika has been able to sustain its programming due to the untiring effort of its supporters.

Rasika.org Facebook.com/RasikaPortland

Tualatin Valley Artists/Influence Music Hall

Sequoia Gallery + Studios Visitors to Sequoia Gallery can discover the joy of living with a piece of art from the Northwest when they browse the original work of Sequoia’s members. New exhibitions are celebrated each month with featured artists. Upstairs from the gallery space, 13 artists have studio space which the public is welcome to visit, when open, and watch the creative process at work. Visitors can also sign-up for classes at Sequoia to jumpstart their own creativity. Lectures, demonstrations, and workshops for beginners and advanced students are available throughout the year.

SequoiaGalleryStudios.org Facebook.com/Sequoia-Gallery-Studios-307099024528

STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy opened its doors in the fall of 2010 and offers a variety of theater classes and performance opportunities to children and young adults, ages 5-22. Their classes focus on basic theater education, including some specialty classes, such as musical theater, costume design, and puppetry. Their instructors not only have a passion for theater, but experience working with children. Additionally, STAGES has produced over 30 main stage productions and is the only theater group in Washington County to have won a Portland Area Musical Theater Alliance Award for Excellence for their production of Les Miserables!

StagesYouth.org Facebook.com/StagesPAYA

Westside Community & Youth Orchestra

Tualatin Valley Artists/Influence Music Hall Tualatin Valley Artists is an organization of creative people dedicated to building a strong local community of artists and music lovers. They provide education, opportunities to exhibit artwork, and poetry and musical performance—all in an atmosphere of encouragement and opportunity. In 2006, the Influence Music Hall was opened and has been the host of weekly Friday Night Open Mic nights. Novice or experienced, young or old, all are welcome at Influence Music Hall. During the COVID-19 closures, Open Mic Nights are being offered online and through pop-up outdoor events.

InfluenceMusicHall.org Facebook.com/InfluenceMusicHall

“The arts…are an important catalyst for learning, discovery, and achievement.” –Paul G. Allen, Microsoft

Westside Quilters Guild

Westside Community & Youth Orchestra

The Westside Community & Youth Orchestra (WCYO) was founded in October 2007 to accompany the Intel Singers in concerts. Originally named the Intel Orchestra, the members decided to reach out to the community to expand and the name was changed to the Westside Community & Youth Orchestra. They have established themselves as a unique group, filled with a mix of adult and youth players. WCYO encourages leadership and mentoring for all its musicians. In normal years, they offer two free community performances at Liberty High School in winter and spring, with a mix of classical and contemporary orchestral works.

WCYO.org

Westside Quilters Guild The Westside Quilters Guild is a vibrant addition to the arts community in Washington County. Founded in 2007, they have grown to over 200 members. Activities include: monthly meetings, charity quilting, workshops, retreats, weekend sew-ins, and a quilt show held in odd numbered years. They welcome quilters of all skill levels from beginner to professional, traditional and modern. Their recent activities during Covid 19 have included the robust creation of facial mask coverings. The Guild has donated over 8,000 masks from its Westside Quilters Mask Brigade. Meetings are held at New Life Baptist Church (3440 East Main St, Hillsboro).

Facebook.com/HillsboroQuilts