Discover the Arts of Tualatin Valley
A Cultural Traveler Getaway
Do you enjoy the arts, culture and humanities? Then, you just may be a “cultural traveler,” defined as one who has a thirst for authentic cultural experiences, including the arts, cuisine and history. If so, Tualatin Valley offers a wide array of activities and sites that will quench that thirst.
Historic Tualatin Valley
When European settlers set off to the west via the Oregon Trail, several stayed here and made this their home. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of the oldest continuously used churches in the state, the cemetery at Old Scotch Church is the final resting place for notable Oregon pioneer Joseph Meek.
The history of the Tualatin Valley is told through colorful quilt block patterns along the Quilt Barn Trail of Oregon’s Washington County. The Quilt Barn Trail is composed of large wood blocks that have been hand-painted in traditional quilt patterns that hold some significance to the area or farm where it is located.
The Arts in Tualatin Valley
Learn about the art of coffee at Dapper & Wise. Each Saturday at 10 a.m., this growing local roasting company offers a complimentary coffee “cupping” class at its Coffee Lab. For those who really want to dive into the world of coffee, additional classes are available.
Art and culture is accessible throughout Tualatin Valley, most notably the Tualatin ArtWalk, a self-guided tour of the city of Tualatin’s diverse public art, natural and cultural history. This series of interconnected trails takes walkers to works of art, including murals and sculptures, and to Ice Age artifacts and historic structures.
The Performing Arts
Tualatin Valley is rich in culture, with several civic and community theatre companies providing opportunities to entertain and to be entertained. Professional theatre companies also are prolific in the region, each bringing a unique perspective to theater. Bag&Baggage Productions performs classic plays with modern, often unexpected twists at its new space, The Vault. Broadway Rose Theatre Company stages a diverse mix of musicals year-round, earning the company accolades and multiple awards.
DIY Art
While visiting, travelers may want to explore their creative side in the Tualatin Valley. Glass blowing and welding are two popular classes available at Live Laugh Love Art. Sip and paint classes are very popular, and Vine Gogh Artist Bar & Studio offers two-and-a-half-hour acrylic painting classes at its dedicated art studio. The adjacent Vincent’s Loft features hands-on craft and painting classes.
An Artsy Hotel
Continue your cultural getaway with an overnight stay in Forest Grove at McMenamins Grand Lodge. This mystical and storied hotel is adorned with art along its walls and in the rooms. Each piece of art celebrates the history of the property—a former Masonic rest home—the early residents of Forest Grove, legendary musicians and authors, as well as inspirational books and literature.