Luis Jiminez studied nearly 100 artworks and watched what he calls "visual conversations" emerge among landscapes, wildlife, photography, and abstraction.
The pyrographer and mixed media artist from The Elysium Art Empowerment Collective curated this year's Washington County Arts Alliance Summer Art Showcase, grouping pieces by theme so each work speaks to its neighbors rather than simply hanging on a wall.
Beaverton-area residents can meet the people behind the paintings, photographs, and mixed-media pieces at a free Artists' Reception on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Brookwood Library. The evening includes live music and refreshments.
"One of the exhibition's greatest strengths is the diversity of its participating artists," Jiminez said in a statement published by the Beaverton Resource Guide. "They come from different backgrounds, cultures, and artistic journeys, yet today they all share one community: Washington County, Oregon."
The showcase is already generating sales. Artist Ellen Jerome sold her piece "South Hillsboro" during the exhibition's run, according to the Washington County Arts Alliance's Instagram account (@washcoopenstudios) on July 22.
Jiminez noted that library visitors who come to read or study can stumble into a gallery experience they might never seek out at a traditional venue. That accessibility is the point: the show reaches people who wouldn't walk into a gallery on their own.
All artwork on display is available for purchase through the WCAA website.
Upcoming community events:
- Thursday, Aug. 6, 5–7:30 p.m. — Artists' Reception, Brookwood Library, Hillsboro. Free. Meet participating artists, live music, refreshments.
- Through Sunday, Aug. 30 — Summer Art Showcase on view at Brookwood Library and Shute Park Library during regular library hours. Free admission.
