TV Artists Hold Annual Meeting

More of a social event then serious business, it was a chance for members to get to know each other better. Although for some of the long-time members like Michele Bufton, James Tschida and founders Evan Acey and Linda Holland it was just a chance to be with good friends.

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Tualatin Valley Artists Opens Influence Gallery on Third Avenue in Hillsboro

Adding a second location to show artwork of Tualatin Valley Artists only makes the goal of building an art community in Hillsboro that more reachable. Soon Hillsboro will be known as a destination for art lovers!

The new location is an area already known for its art community. Art Envy, the premiere art supply store for the entire Hillsboro area is next door, Sequoia Gallery is across the street; Walters Cultural Arts Center just two blocks away and the Hillsboro Artists Regional Theatre (HART) is two blocks going the other way.

HART, with excellent theatre productions usually sold out every weekend, is the other location for Influence to show artwork done by local artists from the TV Artists group. Now when company comes to visit the families in Hillsboro, folks will be proud to show off our own “pearl” district without having to take them off to Portland

Founded in June 2007, TV Artists is a non-profit corporation (501)(c)(3) and a public charity, giving back to the community through education and promotion of the arts. This group of artists not only displays their artwork, but also opens their doors to musicians at every Friday night Open Mic, to perform before an appreciative, non-judgmental audience. Poets are encouraged to open their souls and put voice to their thoughts at an open poetry forum once a month.

“After leaving our location on Main Street,” explained Linda Holland, director and founder of TV Artists, “I thought it would be hard to find another space; however, we were absent from the art scene only for one month and HART theatre came to our rescue with a partnership that has proved to be beneficial for both groups.”

“They have welcomed us to keep our presence in HART’s lobby gallery and we will continue staffing the theatre on Tuesdays and Thursdays. With plays going on almost every weekend, the exposure of our artwork to people who might never have come in contact with talented local artists has increased art sales and hopefully continues building our art community.”

But TV Artists are about more than selling art – their goal is to improve the community’s quality of life by enhancing cultural arts. With a strong focus on building and preserving a regional sense of art and culture, TV Artists provide not only quality gallery display, but also education, poetry and musical performance – all in an atmosphere of encouragement and opportunity.

Evan Acey, local entrepreneur who recently won Hillsboro’s Champion for the Arts award, president and co-founder of TV Artists added, “I wanted to make sure TV Artists remains a meeting place for many creative people, not just artists, but also poets, guitar players, singers, banjo players, songwriters, and musicians.”

In conjunction with the gallery to show artwork, Influence Gallery’s Performing Arts Center opened Friday night to present the Open-Mic event to a full house including 17 musicians performing. Acey hosted the event making good on his promise, “that not one Friday of Open Mic was missed since I started them over two years ago.”

The Performing Arts Center is located just two doors south of the art gallery at 135 SE Third Avenue and will be open every Friday night for Open-Mic. There’s a 1200 square foot room ready for any type of music people want to play including rock-n-roll, jazz, pop, folk, political, spiritual, environmental, easy listening, or blues, and always before an audience, that gives their full attention with encouragement and appreciation.

”Influence Gallery has become a phenomenal outlet for musical beauty and fun,” exclaimed Acey, “Everyone gets to play,  plus we have started recording some of the sessions. We have video capabilities also, however, we are limiting filming for two purposes: if the music promotes ‘Green and Peaceful Living’ and if they will fit on our YouTube account: 2LiveGreen.

”The heart of Influence Gallery is to Live Green so if you have music that is ‘relevant to the cause’ and you would like to see your message posted on our YouTube account...we may film and produce the work.”

“The quality of the musicians that are playing regularly is really something to enjoy,” stressed Tamera Acey, Evan’s wife, who is also involved in this venture. “Many musicians have sold CDs and have landed paying gigs as a result of their experience playing at Open Mic at Influence.”

“Every Friday night has been special and we are eager to let you take the stage,” Acey invites. “So come on out and lets spend an evening together.”