About

The Washington County Open Studios Tour is produced by the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Washington County Art Alliance. We are funded largely by grants and donations. We are happy to accept online donations through this page.

Our Mission

The mission of Washington County Art Alliance is to support and elevate artists, helping them thrive. 

To achieve this, we will organize an annual Open Studios Tour that promotes the growth and visibility of artists who live in Washington County, Oregon. This event will not only support the professional development of local artists but also foster greater public awareness and appreciation of the arts in our community.

Through the Washington County Open Studios Tour and related programs, we aim to provide opportunities for both artists and the public to engage with a variety of artistic techniques, materials, and creative practices.

Ultimately, our work will contribute to building a stronger, more connected, and culturally vibrant community.

Introducing our board members.

Photos and bios of the board members of Washington County Art Alliance can be found here.

History

The first Washington County Open Studios tour was dreamed up in the fall of 2010. Seventeen artists gathered in a living room, planned and took the plunge, holding their inaugural event just three short months later. What they lacked in time they made up by enthusiasm and commitment to their dream of connecting local artists with their community.

Since then, the number of participating artists has tripled, and the number of visitors to their studios is over 2000 on the tour weekend. The range of media found in the tour–from the traditional to contemporary–attracts all walks of life and makes a fine showcase of our neighborhood talent. We also have a mentorship program which allows aspiring artist to learn from experienced professionals.

After postponing in 2020  due to the pandemic the Open Studios Tour returned in 2021 as an in person event and we have continued to hold the tour annually.

Previous Tours

We have photos and artist lists from previous years, you can find them here.

Our Philosophy

The Washington County Art Alliance is proud make their Open Studios tour available to everyone. There is no charge to visit the tour, artist entrance fees are kept low, and many studios are wheelchair accessible. This is made possible by generous sponsors from local businesses, grants from, Hillsboro Arts and Culture Council and the city of Beaverton. We are honored by the hard work and dedication of time by our artists to keep visual arts strong in our community.