Bridging nature and narrative: ‘Precipice’ opens at Hillsboro's Walters Cultural Arts Center

The newest exhibit at Hillsboro’s cultural arts center challenges viewers to stand at the edge of artistic exploration and environmental awareness.

“Precipice,” opening Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Walters Cultural Arts Center, blends the literal and symbolic through photography, collage, paintings and mixed media works by four artists.

Defined as “a steep rock face or cliff,” the title alludes to the juxtaposition between Earth’s natural beauty and the daunting decline seen in today’s environmental crises. Each work carefully balances that idea — depicting glimpses of beauty while questioning the effects of plastic consumption.

Kit S. Carlton contributes to the dialogue through her creative blend of digital and analog techniques, bringing textiles and mixed media works to life in a process that reflects the interplay of human existence within natural environments.

For Ken Hochfeld, photography shines a light on unseen beauty. Capturing the innate artistry seen in the textures, forms and tales of rock formations, Hochfeld pays tribute to artist Terry Toedtemeier through a series of photographs focusing on “quiet places” in the Pacific Northwest.

Sam Marroquin delves into the architecture of homes and their connections to identities, relationships and the surrounding environment, uncovering layers that reveal underrepresented narratives beyond the surface.

Challenging the traditional representation of Western photography, Tyler Brumfield covers his landscapes with mounds of single-use plastics — representing the way that pollution has buried the planet’s natural elements.

A reception for the exhibit will be held opening night from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6. The artworks will be on display until Sept. 13.

For more information, call 503-615-3485 or visit Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/Walters .