Volunteers are sought for one of the most innovative art spaces in downtown Hillsboro. Sequoia Gallery needs a few more people to staff the gallery. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

In addition, the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, which operates Sequoia Gallery, has received notice of official nonprofit status and is beginning fundraising to support exhibits, operations and education programs.

If you are interested in assisting Sequoia, contact its president, Kathleen Chamberlin, or any gallery member at 503-693-0401.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues. The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 33 artists, 13 of them occupying studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 S.E. Third Ave. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

The art of David Bardes, Kathleen Chamberlin and Eileen Kane will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' October featured artists show, "Beauty in the eye of he beholders...Three Sequoia Gallery and Studio Artists."

The show opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday, Oct. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8, from noon -1 p.m. The show continues through Oct. 31.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue.

David Bardes will show recent black and white images from Fort Stevens and Fort Columbia, which have guarded the mouth of the Columbia River since the Civil War. His passion is the subtractive process of photography, starting with everything he can seeto find just enough, and no more. He doesn't consider himself a "landscape" or a "nature" photographer.

Some people look at a tin can and think of it as something to be recycled. Kathleen Chamberlin is best known for turning those tin cans into necklaces, however, this show will feature her mixed media collages, which combine recycled materials, complex textures, intricate patterns and layers of rich colors.

Eileen Kane moves beyond her figurative work, done as large charcoal drawings and as ink or ink and watercolor paintings for this show. Her more recent work draws from "traveling, living and just looking," and uses line, color and texture to express the worlds of Hawaii, Oregon, the ocean and desert.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 33 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues. Hours for the gallery are Tuesdays - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m, with First Tuesdays staying open until 8 p.m. Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in.

Classes are also offered and have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops. A complete new schedule is available on the website and at the gallery. For information, call 503-693-0401.

"Views of Life in Stone, Acrylic and Oil" featuring the art of Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Ebert and Fran Richards will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' September show, which opens Sept. 1, 6 to 8 p.m.m with a reception for the artists.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, from noon -1 p.m. The show continues through Oct. 3.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue.

Joni Mitchell says that the stone she works with provokes deep emotional responses to what is happening in her life. The work is finished when there is harmony between what the stone is saying and her inner visual conception, she said.

Susan Ebert's work is an eclectic mix of things that appeal to her, including her corgi running on the beach, photos that evoke memories from her travels, or observations of local subjects.

Fran Richards calls her new body of work "A Glimpse at Times Past." The series of figurative paintings is based upon old family photos. They're not meant to be specific people, but a journey of familiar images than anyone might recognize as scenes from their own family album.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 33 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues. Summer hours for the gallery are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday, and First Tuesdays until 8 p.m. Studio artists are in their studios Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work....

The art of Christy Perrine, Dick Wisshack and Sharon Haywood Hoff will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' August featured artists show, which opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday on Aug. 4 beginning at 6 p.m.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, Aug. 6, from noon -1 p.m. The show continues through Aug. 29.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue.

Christy Perrine uses a pastel palette to create moody, textured images. Landscapes for this show depict a one day's hike of Eagle Creek, but also tell the story of a lifetime journey.

Dick Wisshack is a marine life sculptor and artist whose work in bronze and clay reflects his eye-to-eye encounters with humpback whales in the Silver Bank Whale Sanctuary in the Dominican Republic.

Sharon Haywood Hoff's series of landscape works done with transparent glazes of watercolor, expresses the atmospheric qualities unique to the Pacific Northwest - sunlight filtered through clouds, lush foliage, droplets of water.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 33 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues. Summer hours for the gallery are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays.

Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in.

Classes are also being offered by Sequoia, which in the past have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops. A complete new schedule is available on the Web site and at the gallery. For information, call 503-693-0401.

The art of Christy Perrine, Dick Wisshack and Sharon Haywood Hoff will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' August featured artists show, which opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday on Aug. 4 beginning at 6 p.m.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, Aug. 6, from noon -1 p.m. The show continues through Aug. 29.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue.

Christy Perrine uses a pastel palette to create moody, textured images. Landscapes for this show depict a one day's hike of Eagle Creek, but also tell the story of a lifetime journey.

Dick Wisshack is a marine life sculptor and artist whose work in bronze and clay reflects his eye-to-eye encounters with humpback whales in the Silver Bank Whale Sanctuary in the Dominican Republic.

Sharon Haywood Hoff's series of landscape works done with transparent glazes of watercolor, expresses the atmospheric qualities unique to the Pacific Northwest - sunlight filtered through clouds, lush foliage, droplets of water.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 33 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues. Summer hours for the gallery are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays.

Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in.

Classes are also being offered by Sequoia, which in the past have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops. A complete new schedule is available on the Web site and at the gallery. For information, call 503-693-0401.

A childhood best friend - a sock monkey named JoJo - has inspired Hillsboro photographer Sue Hacker to not only create the puffy primates, but to take them on photo shoots and to pen cookbooks featuring recipes based on the personalities she has cooked up for them.

There's Mrs. Harold Malone; Jed Klemmins, Edna and Bernie's Boy; Yoga Masta' and, of course, cookbook "authors" Mrs. Della May Curtis and Thelma Lou Sanders. There are babe-in-arms monkeys, Red Hat Society monkeys and even a derelict monkey clutching a bottle in a paper bag and a pack of cigarettes.

An artist and seamstress since childhood, Hacker moved to Hillsboro in 2001, when her husband, Jeff, retired from the military and took a job at Intel. Her three daughters support her venture into monkey business and, even though she holds a degree in art, Hacker likes putting her sense of humor to work on the monkeys.

Sock monkeys have long been a staple as toys for children and are enjoying a resurgence as folk art.

Hacker and other true sock monkey makers stitch their work from authentic Fox River Mills brown-heather and red-heeled socks - two socks per monkey.

A couple of snips with scissors and there's four legs and a tail. A few stitches and some stuffing and another classic sock monkey is born.

Hacker has made dozens of sock monkeys, which she sells reluctantly at the Hillsboro Farmers Market for $10 and up, depending on their size, along with two "Country Fixins" cookbooks and monkey fine arts photographs.

"It's a little hard to sell them," Hacker said. "It's like selling a little piece of me."

But she's happy to share her monkey-making skills.

Hacker will teach sock monkey workshops on Saturdays, July 18 and Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sequoia Gallery + Studios, 136 SE Third Ave., Hillsboro, where she is a member and studio artist, and maintains a tongue-in-cheek glass case filled with natural history-style sock monkey artifacts. She'll teach basic hand sewing for inexperienced students ages 8 to100.

"I stay juicy with creativity by trying different things," said Hacker, who has painted, sculpted, done animation and costuming.

The gallery also offers a variety of other classes. To register or for more information or a class schedule, call Sequoia Gallery + Studios, 503-693-0401.

The July 2009 show at Sequoia Gallery & Studios is "A Line on Reality" featuring the art of Rebecca Buchanan, Sylvia C. Tucker and Valerie West.

A reception for the artists will be held during First Tuesday on July 7 beginning at 6 p.m.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space.

Buchanan will show a series of paintings called "Beauty Lines," which explores the juxtaposition of spaces and places people do not usually notice: the intersecting lines of the electrical lines, electrical towers and the backsides of buildings.

Tucker uses oil paintings and pastel drawings to show the mystery and odd beauty of lines and shadows found on old structures.

West creates clothed and draped art doll sculptures capturing the reality of today with the imaginary world of fun and fantasy.

A Brown Bag art talk on Thursday, July 9, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Sequoia classroom will feature the three artists speaking about their work and inspiration. The public is welcome to come bring lunch, meet the artists and see their work in the gallery.

The art talks are sponsored by the Human Bean Coffee Shop.

Sequoia Gallery+Studios is located at 136 SE Third Ave., in downtown Hillsboro.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 33 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues.

Summer hours for the gallery are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. -6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays.

Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in.

Classes are offered and have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops. A complete new schedule is available on the Web site and at the gallery. For more information, call 503-693-0401.

Downtown Hillsboro's First Tuesday ArtWalk on July 7 will offer a work by Jesse Rigamonti in a drawing for those who visit each ArtWalk venue.

The walk will be from 6 to 8 p.m., and will feature art, music, food and wine in shops and galleries, as well as the summer Tuesday Marketplace and concert series on the Washington County Courthouse lawn.

Those who have their ArtWalk programs checked at Active for Life, 315 E. Main Street - Alice Dean, art; Brooklyn Street Jazz, music.

Art Envy, 125 SE Third Avenue - Tiffany Shea, art.

The Artfull Garden, 222 E. Main Street - Elyn Lewis, Sam Arneson and Paul Safran.

Gimres Shoe Store, 256 E. Main Street - Laura Hopper.

HART Theatre ,. 185 SE Washington Street - TV Artists; music by Crazy Chester Jackson's Rambling Choirboys.

Hillsboro Pharmacy, 243 E. Main Street - Steve Gunvaldson and Anna Hook.

Hillsboro Women's Clinic, 620 SE Oak Street, Suite A - Twenty local women artists.

Influence Gallery, 131 SE Third Avenue - Michelle Bufton, art; Tree Top, music.

Le Stuff Antiques, 324 E. Main Street - Ukelele Jones and Curtis King, music; Elyn Lewis, art.

Main Street Books, 211 E. Main Street - Paul Davies, Terence Healy.

Of Earth & Air, 269 E. Main Street - Lynne Taylor, art; Ian Lindsay, music.

Rivals Fantasy Games, 315 E. Main Street - Jesse Rigamonti, art.

Sequoia Gallery, 136 SE Third Avenue - Rebecca Buchanan, Sylvia Tucker, Valerie West, art.

Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 E. Main Street - Contemporary art; Bill Feldman, blues guitar.

The art of Bonnie Beall, Chung Hee Choi and José Smolensky will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' June featured artists show, which opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday on June 2 beginning at 6 p.m.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, June 4, from noon -1 p.m. The show continues through June 30.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue.

Beall calls her current work "Trees, Roots, and Driftwood," with images a memory of the changing landscape of her travels.

Choi's Oriental brush paintings of bamboo, plumb blossoms and pine evergreens tell stories based on the symbolism reflected in each plant, including the will to live, hope and endurance, and longevity, sturdiness and endurance.

Smolensky's wood carvings invite touch.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 32 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues. Summer hours for the gallery are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday.

Studio artists are in their studios Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in. Classes have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops.

New schedules are available on the Web site and at the gallery. For information, call 503-693-0401.

The art of Katherine Friday, Linda Jerome and Beth O'Mahony will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' May featured artists show, which opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday on May 5 beginning at 6 p.m.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, May 7, from noon -1 p.m. The show continues through May 30.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association.

Katherine Friday's current work features detailed images in transparent watercolor.

Linda Jerome's work features altered landscapes done with acrylic glazes.

Beth O'Mahony's work for this show includes a new series of ceramic pieces made using the American raku technique.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 32 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue.

Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in. Classes are also being offered by Sequoia, which in the past have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops.

The spring schedule is available on the website and at the gallery. For information, call 503-693-0401.

The art of Grace Henson, Sue Hacker and Gene Small will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' April featured artists show, which opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday on April 7 beginning at 6 p.m.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, April 9t, from noon -1 p.m. The show continues through May 2.

Grace Henson's current whimsical work got its beginnings in a trip to Goodwill that uncovered a pile of neckties. Thinking that it would be fun to paint a series of dogs and cats wearing the ties, she headed down that path, soon discarding the ties and simply painting animals wearing clothing.

Sue Hacker's photographs takes a glimpse into the lives of both the wild and domesticated "Sock Monkeys of the Pacific Northwest."

Gene Small designs wood furniture and creates "Happiness Gourds," which combine shapes found in nature with his colored graphics.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue. It includes 32 artists, 13 of whom occupy studios there.

Work from all association members is on display in the gallery. Sequoia is part of the City of Hillsboro's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues.

The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work.

Classes are also being offered by Sequoia, which in the past have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops. A new schedule will be available soon. For information, call 503-693-0401.

The March show at Sequoia Gallery & Studios will feature every member artists' current favorite pieces.

The gallery's first anniversary show will open with a reception during First Tuesday on March 3 beginning at 6 p.m., when gallery goers can sample snacks and beverages, hear live music, view the art and chat with the artists.

There will be no Brown Bag Artists' Talk this month.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 32 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery.

Member artists and their media are: Lynn Adamo, mixed media mosaic; Sharon Allworth, weaving; Linda Baker, oils; Bonnie Beall, watercolor; Rebecca Buchanan, oil, encaustic; Bonnie Burbidge, oil, watercolor, acrylic; Gordon Campbell, mosaic and collage; Kathleen Chamberlin, recycled mixed media jewelry and wall art; Chung Choi, Chinese brush painting; Claire Duren, oil and colored pencil; Suzanne Ebert, watercolor, acrylic, collage; Penny Forrest, oil; Katherine Friday, watercolor, colored pencil, miniatures; Tim Gault, oil, watercolor; Sue Hacker, art photography; Grace Henson, acrylic, mixed media; Sharon Hoff, watercolor; Linda Jerome, acrylic on rabbit skin, watercolor, mixed media; Eileen Kane, water based paints, drawing, colored pencils, oil; Joni Mitchell, stone sculpture; Nancy Norman, acrylic; Beth O'Mahony, ceramics, fibers; Christy Perrine, pastel; Carolyn Pettitt, printmaking, mixed media; Rosemary Reed, fine art gourds; Fran Richards, oil, pastel, acrylic, watercolor; Victoria Shepard, oil, pastel and charcoal; Gene Small, wood, metal, mixed-media gourds; Paula Smith-Danell; wearable fiber art; Jos?molensky, wood sculpture; Sylvia Tucker, oils; JoAnn Wellner, fused glass; Valerie West, art dolls; Dick Wisshack, bronze and ceramic sculpture.

The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in.

Classes are also being offered by Sequoia, which in the past have included life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops....

The art of Lynn Adamo, Sharon Haywood Hoff and Victoria Shepard will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' February artists' show, which opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday on Feb. 3 beginning at 6 p.m.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, from noon to 1 p.m.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue.

Lynn Adamo, mixed media mosaic artist, uses ancient techniques and timeless natural materials to create modern interpretations of a classic art form. She mixes textures in her work, often juxtaposing hard materials with soft handmade felt, "painting" with minerals and fibers.

Sharon Haywood Hoff's watercolor botanicals represent a metaphor for the human soul.

Victoria Shepard's style is based on expressionism, which is especially reflected in her landscapes, where contrasting colors create the impression of movement, but require the viewer's blending of her work to complete the impression. Her goal is to always accomplish this effect with the fewest possible number of strokes.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 32 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery. Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues.

The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in.

Classes are also being offered by Sequoia, including life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops.

A complete schedule is available on the Web site and at the gallery. For more information, call 503-693-0401.

The art of Lynn Adamo, Sharon Haywood Hoff and Victoria Shepard will be the focus of the Sequoia Gallery & Studios' February artists' show, which opens with a reception for the artists during First Tuesday on Feb. 3 beginning at 6 p.m.

A Brown Bag Artists' Talk will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, from noon to 1 p.m.

All three featured artists are members of the Hillsboro Visual Art Association, located in the gallery and studio space at 136 SE Third Avenue.

Lynn Adamo, mixed media mosaic artist, uses ancient techniques and timeless natural materials to create modern interpretations of a classic art form. She mixes textures in her work, often juxtaposing hard materials with soft handmade felt, "painting" with minerals and fibers.

Sharon Haywood Hoff's watercolor botanicals represent a metaphor for the human soul.

Victoria Shepard's style is based on expressionism, which is especially reflected in her landscapes, where contrasting colors create the impression of movement, but require the viewer's blending of her work to complete the impression. Her goal is to always accomplish this effect with the fewest possible number of strokes.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association includes 32 Artists, 13 of whom occupy studios, in the renovated Terrace Plaza Building at 136 SE Third Avenue. Work from all association members is on display in the gallery. Sequoia is part of the city's strategy to revitalize downtown with arts venues.

The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Studio artists are in their studios every Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., except First Tuesdays when they are in from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work when they are in.

Classes are also being offered by Sequoia, including life drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, recycled art, weaving, ceramic boxes, felted hats, mosaic and professional and creative process workshops.

A complete schedule is available on the Web site and at the gallery. For more information, call 503-693-0401.

"In partnership with the community ." This is the operative phrase in the mission statement of the Hillsboro Police Department. It means partnering with citizens to protect our community. That is a given. But it means more.

The Hillsboro Visual Art Association, aka Sequoia Gallery + Studios, also has a mission, which reads in relevant part: "To enrich the community through innovative outreach ."

The sense and commitment to partnership is a core value of our community. Recently this has been realized in a unique way: Hillsboro Police and the local artists of Sequoia have combined to fill the lobby of the West Precinct with their works.

Actually, the richness and beauty of the paintings (there's even a sculpture) have converted HPD's spacious front lobby into a gallery. It is called "Sequoia in Blue," and the selections and organization of it come courtesy of watercolor artist Christy Perrine. Christy plans to rotate Sequoia's works through the West Precinct every few months. This will serve to both give artists opportunities to extend their exhibition and "wall space" to this new venue, and allow the Hillsboro Police lobby to benefit from periodic changes of d?r.

Now I know this is a cyber column, so the cyber side of this will be me providing you all with Sequoia's Web site: www.sequoiagallerystudios.org. Check it out. Better still, go there and see. Sequoia is at 136 SE Third Ave. - next to The Argus, actually.

You know, folks, standing back and watching the left and right brains of Hillsboro come together to create Sequoia in Blue, has been, in a word, awesome. What a happening town.

Now that's partnership.

George Z. Heuston, FBI (Ret.) is a project manager for the Hillsboro Police Department. He may be reached at geo@onlinemac.com, or by landline at 503-615-6628. This column is a service of the Hillsboro Police Department.

Downtown Hillsboro has been hosting the Artwalk every month since May, 2007. We have experienced HUGE GROWTH in the number of participants and attendees since our humble beginnings. It has quickly gone from a little-known event to one of Hillsboro's premier evening events. It receives great press coverage from both the local Hillsboro Argus newspaper and The Oregonian and other media outlets.

The Artwalk's keys to success are the local businesses and local artists who are dedicated to promoting downtown as an arts district. We feature two galleries, Influence and Sequoia, as well as the Walters Cultural Arts Center. We also have several artists' studios located above the Sequoia Gallery. The high concentration of art related businesses makes Hillsboro's First Tuesday Artwalk one of the Metro area's premier cultural events year round.

In addition to our galleries and art store, we also use space from the shoe store, pharmacy, toy store, book store, and other non-art-related businesses. Most of them offer some kind of refreshments, including wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. All in all, we usually have 20-24 locations to show art and we'd love to see you at the next show!