project date: 2004 | by peter reedijk

The "Commons" in Tualatin, Oregon has become a popular central focus or "core" of Tualatin's downtown area. Its most notable feature - a man-made lake - is surrounded by a multiple-use development featuring residences, professional offices, and a festive retail environment that includes restaurants, shops, and a hotel. A promenade-like walkway following the lake's shoreline offers places to sit, public art, fountains, restrooms, and well-maintained landscaping.

In 2002, Sea Reach developed a walking tour to celebrate public art around the Commons and in downtown Tualatin. The project had three distinct elements: interpretive signage, orientation/map kiosks, and directional markers.

The exhibits that accompany the art installations discuss the artist, their inspiration for the piece and in some cases, the technical expertise required to produce the art.

The Artwalk passes through a variety of urban environments. The system was designed to accommodate different land owners and project partners.

Due to budget constraints, some of the long stretches where marked with painted dots on the sidewalk as confidence markers, to reduce the number of directionals.