Wilsonville installs 10 fiberglass "Hearts" across city as part of public-art project funded by Metro grant

Erica Valentine, the city's arts and culture program coordinator, presented a wrap-up of the "Hearts of Wilsonville / Many Cultures, One Heart" public-art project at the June 2 City Council meeting.

Valentine told council that the project produced 10 fiberglass hearts — roughly 4 feet wide and 5 feet tall — painted by local artists and installed across city-owned property, including parks and outside city facilities. The effort was funded through a Metro Community Enhancement Grant; Valentine said each participating artist received a stipend of $1,350 and each preformed fiberglass heart cost $1,350, plus shipping and a small set of additional expenses covered by the general fund.

"The 10 hearts are installed throughout the city," Valentine said. "They are on city property, either outside city facilities, or in city parks," and the city produced a printed and online map that lists each heart's location, artist and title. Valentine showed council photos of several hearts, highlighted Wilsonville High School art teacher Angela Escobar's collaborative heart made with students, and thanked the Parks & Recreation maintenance team for building and installing mounts and signage.

Valentine described the project's public engagement and selection process: staff reviewed 29 designs from 20 artists, forwarded the strongest 18 to the Arts, Culture and Heritage Commission (ACHC) and two DEI committee members, and the ACHC selected the 10 artists through a scoring process and public meeting. An opening reception took place April 30, and the hearts were installed the next day.

The city printed explanatory signage for each heart, including artist name and a QR code linking to the city's public-art page. Valentine said the marketing team created social-media clips showing artists at work and that the city has received positive public feedback; she read an email from a resident praising the project for brightening daily routines.

Valentine said the city plans to use an online auction portal to offer some of the hearts for sale after a trial installation period of about six months to a year, and that any revenue from auctions would return to the city's general fund to help offset future arts programs. She said the ACHC will advise on which pieces, if any, the city retains for its public-art collection.

Councilors praised the project during the meeting and said public reaction had been uniformly positive. No formal council action was required; the presentation was an informational update following grant-funded project completion.