Historic Downtown Oregon City

Downtown Oregon City continues to celebrate the commerce and culture of Oregon City with a First Friday Art Walk on the first Friday of every month. The upcoming Art Walk, on November 6th, will feature more businesses open late inviting customers and new artists in out of the cold.

Meet Paula Lewis, a local artist who is part of the creative team that plans for the First Friday Art Walks. Paula became a member of Oregon City’s First Friday Art Walk planning team because of her strong desire to promote the arts. After seeing the results of last month’s Art Walk, she is very excited that the series is doing great things for the arts and businesses in Oregon City. The First Friday event has expanded to include more than 18 locations featuring artists and their work.

Lewis, who also designed the red paintbrush Downtown Oregon City Art Walk logo, took part in the first Art Walk on October 2nd and set up a workspace just outside her studio. Here, she created an art piece in front of the public, exhibiting her process and answering questions from curious spectators. She completed a nature inspired painted mannequin entitled, “Fern.”

She recalls, “As I was working, I noticed the steadily growing movement of people up and down Main Street. I overheard shout-outs of approval, and people wanting to see more from artists.” Lewis feels very encouraged by the response to Oregon City’s first Art Walk, and says, “I feel a real connection with my community being a part of this event. The neighboring businesses are just as enthusiastic.”

Lewis is known for her decorative paintings, murals, and faux textures. Her art is inspired by nature, trends, texture, and especially color. At October’s First Friday event, Lewis was one of the many artists that displayed their technique to the public on the streets of Downtown. Now that the weather isn’t as permitting, the Oregon City Art Walk will move indoors. Lewis has an art studio in Downtown Oregon City at 712 Main Street where she goes to create her art. During the upcoming Art Walk on Friday November 6th, all the artists will be inside. Downtown businesses will be inviting visitors in to meet the artists and enjoy the art on display.

Lewis enjoys participating in downtown Oregon City’s First Friday Art Walk as an artist because she thrives on interacting with the public. “I have a real conviction as a decorative painter, and the experience of speaking with passers-by has allowed me to be articulate about it. When planning a piece to display, I call up imagination, state of mind, and craftsmanship. I find I enjoy sharing those things to the public. Many interested and curious people seem to associate with my process.” Lewis shares, “I can always learn interesting ideas from the public’s comments and file them away as inspiration and encouragement. I was even asked about pieces to sell, which means I’m creating marketable art.”

Oregon City’s First Friday events are made possible through a partnership with Three Rivers Artist Guild, the non-profit Main Street Oregon City as well as a First Friday media sponsor, The Oregonian.

To see more from Paula Lewis, visit her website at www.paulaflewis.com.

To date, downtown’s First Friday Art Walk includes artists at the following locations:

Coffee Rush, 900 Main Street
Winestock, 820 Main Street
Cypress Restaurant, 820 Main Street
Madco Draperies and Floor Covering, 818 Main Street
Bush’s Furniture, 804 Main Street
Fourneir Group insurance, 814 Main Street
Caufield House, 723 Main Street
Pilates with Fe, 702 Main Street
Mi Famiglia, 701 Main Street
Ben Bright Photography, 619 Main Street
ECP Copy, 623 Main Street
Hopps Upholstery, 916 Main Street
Living Room Pub, 206 8th Street
Muno’s Bakery, 616-A Main Street
Hand Crafted for You, 616-B Main Street
Premier Insurance, 900 Main Street
The Paula Lewis Art Studio, 712 Main Street
Howden Art and Framing, 1512 Washington Street
Forte Florist, 1502 Washington Street

More downtown locations are added every month so there is always something new to see.

For more information about First Friday Art Walks in Downtown Oregon City, keep reading our Downtown Oregon City website.

View photos from October 2nd’s First Friday Art Walk here.

Posted in News & Press