“Picture Hillsboro” Winner Announced for 2021 Commission

 

(Hillsboro, Ore.) – The Picture Hillsboro selection committee has chosen Aaron Andersen’s Amberglen Lunchtime as this year’s winner of the Picture Hillsboro Purchase Award. A stunning photograph featuring a majestic great blue heron preparing to catch its next meal, Amberglen Lunchtime will be purchased by the City of Hillsboro and added to its Public Art Collection, to be displayed in City buildings for years to come. Selected out of over 70 submissions and seven finalists, the piece is currently on display at the Hillsboro Civic Center through March 5, as part of the Picture Hillsboro Finalists exhibition.

One of the special things that Andersen captured in Amberglen Lunchtime is the light that created a painting like setting. Focusing on elements in nature, or a candid or spontaneous moment, allows him to tell visual stories, and spotlight subtleties that might not have been noticed before.

Since moving to Hillsboro, Andersen has been impressed by the quality and diversity of public parks throughout the community. Having his camera in hand while exploring the uniqueness of each area, Andersen is able to capture special features and subtle details to share with others well past that initial moment captured in his photographs

Since taking up photography 15 years ago, Andersen has been shooting professionally for the last 10 years, including photographing the Washington State Legislature during sessions. For the rest of the year, he can be found throughout Oregon and Washington, capturing people and nature in his signature candid and photo journalistic style and capturing emotion and feeling of these moments as they unfold before him.

Inaugurated in 2012, the Picture Hillsboro Purchase Award has added nine original works of art by local artists to the Hillsboro’s Public Art Collection. Archival reproductions of the winning artwork are presented as official gifts to visiting dignitaries and in official City travel throughout the world. In designating artwork as an official gift, the City emphasizes the pride it places in its creative community. The City is happy to share the beauty of Hillsboro through the presentation of Andersen’s artwork and prominently adding it to the Public Art Collection.

Hillsboro Public Art is a program of the Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department.  More information about Hillsboro’s Public Art Program can be found at Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/PublicArt.