The ultimate walking tour guide to Beaverton street art
This is your ultimate walking tour guide to Beaverton street art. I strongly believe there’s no better way to discover a new city than by getting out and going for a walk.
It’s amazing the things you notice when you walk instead of drive. Shops, restaurants, and artwork you never would have paid mind to otherwise.
Murals bring great value to their communities. For example, they draw attention to businesses, and can thereby increase business revenues at least 5-10% or more. Murals also help decrease graffiti and vandalism up to 95%.
So let’s go for a walk around downtown Beaverton together while I show you where to find the best of Beaverton’s street art. Be sure to save this post to use for a self-guided walking tour!
Beaverton Street Art Walking Tour
This walking tour guide of Beaverton street art makes a simple loop covering about two city blocks. So you can start the tour basically at any point, depending on where you park.
The photos in this post will take you through the walking tour step by step, starting at the corner of Farmington Road and Watson Avenue. Here’s roughly the route you’ll take.
First, you’ll head east on Farmington Road. Next, you’ll take a right onto Washington Avenue, followed by a right onto 1st Street. Then you’ll take a right onto Angel Avenue, and lastly, a right onto Farmington Road to end where you started.
Murals
Hope for the Future
This 13’ by 80’ mural was painted by Hector Hernandez and Merlo Station High School Students. It’s visible from the corner of Farmington Road and Watson Avenue, painted on the backside of Somar Mediterranean Restaurant. Somar offers kabobs, gyros, hummus, and more.
Hernandez’ mural captures Beaverton, the solar system, global warming, and a belief that a smart use of technology can create hope for future generations.
My intention is not to portray a beautiful world, my intention is to portray a world that is real but we can overcome problems.
Hector Hernandez
Location: 12590 SW Broadway Street
Beaverton Cultural Dance
Continue down Farmington Road and you’ll see the next mural on your right, on the corner of Washington and Farmington Road, on the side of the MVP Dance Elite school.
This 12’ by 70’ mural by Jon Stommel and Travis Czekalski of Rather Severe was completed in 2016. The mural observes diverse cultures through dance.
MVP Dance Elite offers classes for jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, tap, and more.
Location: 12570 SW Farmington Road
Wilson Mural
Next, you’ll turn right onto Washington Avenue. You’ll see the next two murals on your left.
Completed in 2009 this fun mural by Gina Wilson is aptly called the Wilson Mural. I love how these shapes seem to dance across the wall. They make me want to get up and dance with them.
You can find this mural on the back side of Ickabod’s Bar and Grill. Ickabod’s offers a variety of burgers and sandwiches.
Location: 12475 SW 1st Street
Untitled by Susan Charnquist
You’ll find this mural painted on the western wall of Ickabod’s Bar and Grill.
One of the most recent additions to Beaverton’s wall murals, this beautiful painting by Susan Charnquist remains nameless. Painted in April of 2021, it was inspired by a desire to improve diners’ experience as they were required to eat outdoors due to COVID regulations.
Location: 12475 SW 1st Street
Two Blondes and a Red Head
Across the street on your right, you’ll find two more murals directly adjacent to one another.
Blaine Fontana of Portland, Oregon, painted this vibrant mural in 2017 on the backside of Mo Cha Tea House. The mural is inspired by a 1947 film by the same name, starring Jean Porter.
Location: 12520 SW Farmington Road
Forest for the Trees Project
This mural is one of three installations of the “Forest for the Trees Project” in downtown Beaverton. Blaine Fontana also painted this mural in 2017 on the back of the MVP Dance Elite building.
The Forest for the Trees Project is organized by Gage Hamilton, Matt Wagner, and Tia Vanich. This non-profit organization brings together both local and international artists who volunteer their time creating public art across the Portland metro area.
Location: 12570 SW Farmington Road
Water Lilies
Now continue down Washington Avenue, past the intersection with 1st Street. On your left, you’ll find this beautiful mural tucked in between Hair Fashion and Holisitc Health Clinic.
This mural was imagined and started by Larry Kangas. After his passing, his wife, Sandy Kangas, and Allison McClay completed the mural together in 2014.
Location: 4650 SW Washington Avenue
Untitled
Continue a little further down Washington Avenue and you’ll find a nameless tree painted on the side of Tonsorium Studio, tucked away on your left.
Tonsorium Studio is a barber shop. The word tonsorium comes from the Latin noun tonsor, or “clipper,” and the Latin verb tondere, or “to shear.” So a tonsorium came to refer to a barber’s shop.
Now back to this simple mural. This painted-on-concrete tree in the middle of a city reminds me of our basic need to stay connected to nature. I love how the building blended in almost seamlessly with the color of the sky this day.
Location: 12450 SW 1st Street
Nameless
Return to the intersection of Washington Avenue and 1st Street and turn west down 1st Street. This next mural is perfectly located at the 1st Street Dining Commons.
With patrons dining outdoors and the dog sitting close by, this scene could be straight from daily life here on 1st Street.
This nameless mural is on the side of Koya Sushi. They serve a wide selection of vegetarian rolls in addition to their sushi rolls.
Location: 12570 SW 1st Street
The School of Outdoor Learning
Continue down 1st Street, past the intersection of 1st and Watson Avenue, and the next mural will be on your right.
This bright and vibrant piece was created by Angelina Marino of Portland, Oregon. It reminds me of an “I spy” book. I spy a frog, a butterfly, and a bumble bee. How many things can you spy in the mural?
Completed in 2011, you’ll find it on the east side of the Watson Hall building.
Location: 12655 SW 1st Street
Another Forest for the Trees Project
Next, at the corner of 1st Street and Angel Avenue, you’ll find this beautiful piece adjacent an empty field.
This mural is another part of the “Forest for the Trees Project” by Drew Merritt, completed in 2017.
Location: 1st Street and Angel Avenue
Unnamed as of yet
Turn right on Angel Avenue, and the final two murals of the Beaverton Street Art walking tour will be on your right.
This dynamic new mural is on the side of the soon-to-open Breakside Brewery in downtown Beaverton.
Breakside Brewery is a fairly recent new pub, first opened in 2010. Since then, they have grown and expanded across the greater Portland area. They won Brewery of the Year at the 2017 Oregon Beer Awards, and are known for creative and experimental flavors.
Location: 12655 SW 1st Street
Repair the Future
This mural is by Emily Lux and Addie Boswell, and is on the back of Pedro’s Upholstery and Top Burmese Bistro Royale.
Pedro of Pedro’s Upholstery uses his skill and art to upcycle old furniture, giving it a second life. I love that the mural on the back of his shop fits the service he provides perfectly.
Top Burmese serves curry, samosas and other Burmese dishes. They also have a variety of vegan options.
Location: 12655 SW 1st Street
After these last two murals, take a right back onto Farmington Road. You’re now back where you’ve started and you’ve completed the Beaverton Street Art walking tour loop.
Sidewalk Art
Be sure to look down during your walking tour of Beaverton street art as well! These pieces can be found on the sidewalks of 1st Street Dining Commons, between Watson and Washington Avenues.
I hope you find time to get out, get some fresh air, and stretch your legs a bit while enjoying this Beaverton street art.
1st Street Dining Commons
A portion of 1st Street between Watson Avenue and Washington Avenue has been blocked off to through traffic to create an outdoor dining and social spot. The area is called the 1st Street Dining Commons and is flanked on either side by restaurants.
There’s seating, a giant beach chair for the perfect photo op, and an area for kids to climb and play on. As a result, the downtown Beaverton area is very pedestrian friendly.
Where to Park
You’ll find free parallel parking on the street in downtown Beaverton.
Where to Eat
Eat at one of the restaurants in downtown Beaverton displaying this great street art. Grab sushi at Koya Sushi, a burger at Ickabod’s, kabobs at Somar, or samosas at Top Burmese. Or stop in at Lionheart Coffee Company on Watson Avenue for coffee or tea.
Another option are the Rose Biggi Food Trucks. You’ll find them just the other side of Farmington Road, walking distance from the downtown Beaverton street art. Grab a bite to eat and then set to the streets to explore!
What to Do
Getting bored just walking around? While you’re on this self-guided walking tour of Beaverton street art, check out some of the shops in downtown Beaverton. Some of my favorite shops in the area are the Leaky Tea Pot, Staghorn Mercantile, or Crystal Heart.
Further Reading
Looking for more adventures in the Portland area? Check out my post on the Portland Lan Su Chinese Garden.
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