On Wednesday, November 13th, the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts brought together dignitaries, donors and artists as it commemorated its groundbreaking. The center, the first of its kind to be built in the Portland-metro area in more than 30 years, hopes to unite the community through civic engagement, creative learning and social cohesion.
“I’m thrilled that this long-held personal dream and our community vision of a vibrant downtown with culture and arts at our heart is becoming a reality,” said Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle. “This center is a benefit to our city, the region and beyond. I’m counting down the days to opening and the opportunity to share this wonderful asset for many to enjoy.”
Together with emcee and Eye on the NW host Natali Marmion, Mayor Doyle, the Beaverton City Council and Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency Board welcomed lead donor Patricia Reser, as well as Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, among others. To highlight the center’s mission of bringing a diverse range of artists and audiences together, a 180-voice choir – especially assembled for the occasion – performed “True Colors” and “All You Need is Love,” including an audience singalong led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini. The choir included members from iSing Choir, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Bridging Voices, Portland Lesbian Choir, Arts & Communication Magnet Academy Choir, Southridge High School Choir and others, along with singers Marilyn Keller, Maddie Green and members of Big Horn Brass.
“As we approach the realization of this performing arts facility, we have been provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity within our community to broaden exposure to the arts, including artists and arts education,” said Pat Reser, Chair of the Capital Campaign for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. “This center will provide a place to celebrate artistic expression in all of its forms and it is my strong conviction that both the arts and our community will continue to flourish, impacting residents for decades to come.”
Nestled near to The Round between SW Cedar Hills Boulevard and SW Hall Boulevard, the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, rehearsal, workshop and meeting space, lobby, outdoor plaza and adjacent parking structure. With innovative offerings in the performing arts – theater, music and dance – the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be a beacon for civic engagement, creative learning and greater social cohesion.
“I’m excited about the many possibilities at the center to bring regional and national artists and attractions to Beaverton in a professional and intimate setting,” said Chris Ayzoukian, General Manager for Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. “It will be a welcoming regional destination for many kinds of events and arts education programs that will highlight the cultural diversity of Beaverton and create more access to the arts for all.”
On July 17, 2018, the Beaverton Arts Foundation announced a gift of $13 million to the project. This transformative pledge made possible by Patricia Reser is an investment that provides nearly one-third of the $51 million in project costs needed to build the Center. Another $21.9 million is coming from public sources, including a land donation and a new City Transient Lodging Tax (TLT). In total, 96% of the construction costs have already been identified through public and private philanthropic investment.
“It has truly been inspiring to see how the community has stepped up in support of the vision for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts,” said Lani Faith, Executive Director for the Beaverton Arts Foundation, the fundraising partner for the new center for the arts. “The dream of a vibrant stage and central gathering place has been in the hearts and minds of residents for many years, and it’s an incredible privilege to watch it come to life.”
Several members of the media were present to cover the milestone event. Below are a few stories that have already run:
OregonLive: New Beaverton arts center is slated to begin construction
Oregon ArtsWatch: Breaking cultural ground in Beaverton
Business Tribune: Beaverton breaks ground on ‘magical’ arts center
Native American consultant Arlie Neskahi [left] opened with a land acknowledgment ceremony that paid tribute to the home of the Tualatin. Emcee and Eye on the NW host Natali Marmion [right] welcomed lead donor Patricia Reser, as well as Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, among others.
Lead donor, Pat Reser, addresses a crowd of about 400 attendees at the groundbreaking for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts.
Pink Martini’s Thomas Lauderdale joins a 180-voice choir and 400-person crowd in a singalong of The Beatles, “All You Need is Love.”
On the left is Patricia Reser Center for the Arts General Manager Chris Ayzoukian, Mayor Denny Doyle, Pat Reser, and Beaverton Arts Foundation Executive Director Lani Faith. On the right is City Councilor Marc San Soucie, Mayor Denny Doyle, Pat Reser, Councilor Lacey Beaty, and Councilor Cate Arnold.
About the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be the first performing arts center of its kind to be built in the Portland-metro area in more than 30 years. Nestled near to The Round between SW Cedar Hills Boulevard and SW Hall Boulevard, the facility will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, rehearsal, workshop and meeting space, lobby, outdoor plaza and adjacent parking structure. With innovative offerings in the performing arts – theater, music and dance – the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts will be a beacon for civic engagement, creative learning and greater social cohesion. For more information, please visit: centerfortheartscampaign.org and beavertonoregon.gov/prca.
