Washington County Open Studios Tour

06/01/2026

If you are looking for new interesting friends, want to communicate & socialize,
or you have a big heart and like to help and improve the life of our community by using your skills, this event is for you!

Volunteer Fair!

The City of Beaverton organises this awesome event traditionally every year in June in the Beaverton Library.
It is a family friendly event conveniently located next to the Beaverton Saturday market. It’s easy to stroll around to see what each booth can offer if you are looking for volunteering opportunities!

Washington County Art Alliance, the non profit organization which has run Washington County Open Studios for 16 years in a row, will have a booth there too.
If you love art and are looking for volunteering opportunities in this field, stop by and find out the exciting options!
We have some special giveaways for you!

Also, Volunteer Fair organizers have prepared a Raffle which some of the WCAA artists have donated to.
Thank you to:
Linda Jerome (ceramic art),
Uli Kirchler ( woodwork),
Natasha Kobbe ( watercolor)
Luis Jimenez ( mixed media art)
for the provided art works!

Come see us this coming Saturday,
June 6th from 10 am to 1 pm at Beaverton City Library.

Natasha Kobbe,
WCAA Media Team Member

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

The final call for those who have always wanted—but never quite dared—to begin studying one of the arts.
Mentorship application closes May 30th, so don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity!

Here is this year’s list of WCAA mentors and their medium:

- JoAnn Pari-Mueller
Introduction to watercolor
- Linda Noval
Watercolor Basics: Color&Temperature
- Cynthia Jeffrey
Urban Sketching experience
- Jaelynn Harris
Plain Air watercolor painting
- Jane Wilson
Gourd Art
- Denise Hershey
Introduction to fine silver jewelry making
-Candace Wilson
Exploring Clay

Good luck in satisfying your curiosity and maybe even starting a new career.

Washington County Open Studios is an annual free event the 3rd weekend of every October.
This year’s tour is on October 17-18th.

Natasha Kobbe
WCAA Media Team Member

05/26/2026

Watercolor Basics: Color and Temperature
Mentor: Linda Noval

We are wrapping up our presentation of mentors of the popular and well known Mentorship Program.

Today, watercolorist Linda Noval is in our spotlight.

You will dive into the foundations of Watercolor painting as you explore and understand warm and cool color tones, and learn how different amounts of water transforms the pigment.
In this mentorship opportunity you will also make an accordion book - a pocket sized treasure you can unfold, study and keep as your personal color guide.

What to bring: Just your curiosity and enthusiasm!
(supplies will be provided)
Location: Home studio in Beaverton

Note: Mentorship application closes May 30th

Washington County Open Studios is an annual free event in the 3rd weekend of every October. This year’s tour is on October 17-18th.
Visit our website for more information about our mentors and information about the tour at washcoart.org

Naveed Hasan
WCAA Media Team Member

05/25/2026

Urban Sketching Experience
Mentor: Cynthia Jeffrey

Another exciting mentorship Washington County Art Alliance is offering is from artist Cynthia Jeffrey - Urban Sketching Experience. "Learn the art of urban sketching by capturing real-life scenes in dynamic environments like parks, libraries, and downtown settings. You will discuss composition, location, and technique. This mentorship will be fun for all levels of drawing skills." A sketchbook and pen will be provided for you.
Cynthia is a life long artist who's discovered the joy in capturing everyday scenes, in the moment. For images of her paintings, checkout her website at cjeffrey.faso.com

Note: Mentorship application closes May 30.
What to Bring: No specific listed —just be ready to explore and create!
Location: Various urban locations throughout Washington County

Washington County Open Studios is an annual free event the 3rd weekend of every October. This year's tour is October. 17-18. Visit our website for more information about our mentors, and information about the tour. washcoart.org

05/23/2026

If you are someone with a desire to learn about ceramics, this mentorship may be for you - ‘Exploring Clay with Candace Wilson'

Candace is well known for her high quality work in ceramics. The main focus in her daily work is whimsical, happy garden stakes that are very popular with her followers. She also throws bright functional ware from the wheel. With a mentee, in her studio, Candace is eager to share tools, clay and instruction - “Discover the versatility of clay through both slab (hand-building) and wheel throwing techniques, depending on your interest. This mentorship will guide you through making an object or vessel, including glazing and firing.”
What to Bring: wear clothes that can get dirty. This is a hands-on, messy (and fun!) process.
Location: home studio in Forest Grove.
To see more of Candace’s work, find her website at littlebirdpottery.net

Note: Applications for mentorship will close on May 30, don't postpone your application.
Washington County Open Studios is a free annual event, always held the 3rd weekend in October. This year’s dates are Oct. 17-18. Find out about the mentorship offerings at our website - washcoart.org

05/20/2026

The next mentor in our lineup offers the exhilarating experience of watercolor painting in the great outdoors! The student will have the opportunity to paint Plein Air (outside) and learn what supplies are recommended for future outings as they continue to practice this artform.

Jaelynn uses a rich palette capturing the essence of Oregon's natural beauty and warmth of local landscapes. There will be an opportunity to paint in both urban and countryside settings.

What to Bring: Supplies will be provided, but the student can also supplement with their own. Self transport to parks and outdoor locations is required, and a backpack and water bottle is a necessity.
Location: At least three different locations within Washington County.

The application deadline is May 30, 2026. For full details and to apply, please visit our website: https://www.washcoart.org/mentor/

Washington County Open Studio Tour is a free annual event, the 3rd weekend in October; this year it will be the 17th and 18th and runs from 10:00 to 5:00 each day. Please visit our website: https://www.washcoart.org/about/

Good luck!

Linda Gerrard
WCAA Media Team Member

05/18/2026

The Washington County Art Alliance is pleased to present the next artist in our 2026 Mentorship Program line-up. This week, we feature Denise Hershey who will be teaching Introduction to Fine Silver Jewelry Making.

Denise creates beautiful one-of-a-kind, nature-inspired jewelry and will be providing hands-on instruction to a very lucky person. Denise tells us her mentee will be making one pendant and a choice of a pair of earrings, a second pendant, or a charm.
There are no prerequisites for this mentorship, just a willingness to get a little messy and follow studio protocols.

What to bring: All supplies will be provided, and you will be working with Denise in her home studio in Tigard.
If you are interested in this unique process, we invite you to apply for Denise Hershey’s mentorship. Participation is free for selected applicants aged 18 and older.
See more about Denise: https://www.gaiassongjewelry.com/

The application deadline is May 30, 2026. For full details and to apply, please visit our website: https://www.washcoart.org/mentor/

Washington County Open Studio Tour is a free annual event, the 3rd weekend in October; this year it will be the 17th and 18th and runs from 10:00 to 5:00 each day. Please visit our website: https://www.washcoart.org/about/

Cheers and good luck!

Linda Gerrard
WCAA Media Team Member

05/16/2026

As we continue to introduce our artist-mentors, we are excited to highlight watercolor painting.

If you have ever admired watercolor artwork but hesitated to try this challenging medium yourself, now is your chance. You can join the WCAA free mentorship program and study watercolor techniques with artist JoAnn Peri-Mueller.

During this mentorship, you will explore the fundamentals of watercolor painting, including paper selection, brushes, paints, and basic techniques. You will also learn to sketch a basic design and apply watercolor properly to achieve a beautiful transparent look, while also applying design principles to make your work shine.

What to Bring: Supplies will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own if they prefer.
Location: JoAnn Peri-Mueller’s home studio in Banks.

Please check our website at Washcoart.org/mentorship for application details.

Good luck and cheers!

Natasha Kobbe,
WCAA Media team member.

05/14/2026

The Washington County Art Alliance is proud to present our well established, and therefore popular, Mentorship Program for 2026. This year, seven artists across various mediums are donating their time and expertise to those eager to learn.

Today, we are excited to introduce gourd design artist Jane Wilson. Jane's is an intricate and beautiful interaction between her artistic vision and Mother Nature's creations.

Here is how Jane describes her mentorship:

"Mentees will be instructed how to create artwork using an uncut, hard-shell gourd. This includes designing the piece and choosing between weaving, carving, or woodburning.
Participants will cut the gourd using mini jigsaws, clean it with a drill press and hand tools, and sand it with a bench sander.
All safety practices will be observed.
Once prepared, they will learn specific techniques for woodburning, carving, or weaving on the gourd.
Finally, they will apply a finish using ink dyes or other types of paint.
All supplies are provided, and you are welcome to work with me at my studio in King City, OR."

If you are interested in this unique process, we invite you to apply for Jane Wilson’s mentorship. Participation is free for selected applicants aged 18 and older.

The application deadline is May 30, 2026. For full details and to apply, please visit our website: https://www.washcoart.org/mentor/

check our website https://www.washcoart.org/mentor/ for the full list of details.

Cheers and good luck!

Natasha Kobbe,
WCAA Media Team member