Hillsboro opens survey for new artwork planned at Shute Park Library

The city of Hillsboro is seeking community input as it plans to replace the artwork at Shute Park Library.

Residents can now participate in a survey launched by the city’s Public Arts Program to gauge feedback on an upcoming installation coming to the public library on 10th Avenue.

The new piece will span the south-facing wall, which previously displayed Hillsboro artist Christine Martell’s 2018 artwork, “For Everyone.” The installation featured 16 multicolored banners including the city’s 11 most spoken languages — aiming to amplify “visual voice” and counter tensions surrounding conversations of race and inclusion.

Due to damage over time, Martell’s artwork was removed this year.

“The wall represents an opportunity to bring a point of interest to the large blank space, which is prominently visible from within Shute Park and along 10th Avenue, and serves as a major gateway into Calle Diez, the Cultural Arts District and Downtown Hillsboro,” the city’s Public Arts Program said in a release.

The survey includes a number of public art examples for residents to vote on, which officials say will help steer development of the new installation.

Feedback can be submitted until August. The Public Art Program staff will then review the results to develop project parameters.

City leaders plan to issue a call-to-artists in the fall. The design phase is scheduled for winter or spring of 2025, with completion expected by next summer.

Community members can fill out the survey online at Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/PublicArt or in person at Shute Library.