Plan a Urban Art Experience in Downtown Eugene

An Urban Art Getaway

The metro area of Eugene and Springfield draws international artists who have left their signatures on colorful murals across the city. Always a creative community, discover art in unexpected places — sidewalk art that only appears when it rains (downtown Eugene), street art tributes to "The Simpsons" TV show (Springfield), painted traffic boxes on street corners, public art in classic and modern forms, and a plethora of art galleries and artisan markets.

Any art immersion merits a ramble through the Whiteaker Neighborhood adjacent downtown Eugene. This deliberate artsy community has created a cultural renaissance in the historic Whiteaker area with innovative businesses, amazing dining, craft fermentors and, of course, the arts. Springfield offers a charming stretch of boutique shops and quirky venues along its historic Main Street as well.

Local art centers, community centers and paint and sip establishments offer a range of art workshops and programs from dabblers and doodlers to in-depth, art intensives designed for dedicated artists.

Arty Inspiration

• Tune into Art Church, an artists' meditation podcast broadcast locally.
• Attend an art workshop at Maude Kerns Art Center or at Emerald Art Center.
• Visit the Saturday Market to browse artisan crafts, sold and displayed by the artist themselves.
• Partake in a monthly art walk in downtown Eugene or downtown Springfield.
• Visit Threadbare Print Lab, an on demand, small batch print shop to print up the t-shirts for your artists' retreat. Design your own shirts or hire one of the in-house artists to design it for you.
• Meet Alejandro at the studio space and gallery dubbed Art with Alejandro. Browse his paintings, purchase art supplies for your own work or sign up for a popular paint and sip party. Alejandro also hosts multi-week classes for artists seeking to delve deeper into technique.
• Shop for art supplies at Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA). Here excess and left-over art materials including papers, paints, wire, clay and fabrics, are donated and then recycled into the arts community via a variety of programs or shopping.
• The Whiteaker Neighborhood, just minutes from downtown Eugene, is home to many eclectic artisans from brewers to bakers to makers. Explore the unique art at markets and fairs.
• Utilize some of the art hubs like Whiteaker Printmakers offering a variety of printing workshops or studio rentals.
• Clay Space offers workshops, classes and studio time.
• Fiber artists can explore the Eugene Textile Center with its many fiber classes and fantastic merchandise.
• At the heart of downtown is Eugene's Hult Center for the Performing Arts. Alongside nationally touring shows and local productions, the Hult Center hosts the 10x10 Series which highlights a variety of outstanding artists. Ten dollar tickets help foster a greater outreach into the community, creating a more inclusive audience. 
• Appreciate the performing arts at one of the many urban theaters including the Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Pegasus Playhouse or Actors Cabaret.  
• Attend a concert at the WOW Hall, Jazz Station, Vet's Club or The Shedd.

Artsy Accommodations 

The Gordon Hotel

Check into the arts focused Gordon Hotel in downtown Eugene's Market District. Named after Gordon Obie, a prolific Eugene artist known for both his fine art and his gigantic commerical billboards, the Obie's artistic family legacy is immortalized here by his developer son Brian Obie. Tributes to his father's art career are by the lobby elevator and Obie family artwork is displayed throughout the hotel. But it isn't just centered on them, the hotel is utilized to support and celebrate a wide swath of local artists. Opened during the peak of the pandemic, Brian purchased paintings directly from regional artists to help them during the economically challenging times of 2020 - 2021. This art, along with paintings created by the hotel staff when travelers were "staying at home", adorn the hallways and guest rooms. Each room features original paintings.

And what else makes this an artist's go-to lodging? In the lobby there is a dedicated "Art Bar" for drawing, painting and expressing your artistic spontaneity. This is also a setting for guest artist demonstrations and workshops.

Graduate Eugene

The Graduate Eugene is not just a collegiate-themed hotel with a heavy emphasis on the University of Oregon Ducks...this downtown Eugene hotel also embraces the arts. As a participant in the Graduate Sweet Dreams Society, the Graduate Eugene hosts studio space for selected resident artists. Society members are provided with the resources they need to launch their art careers, whether it's visual arts or performing arts — the hotel may provide a painting studio, clay space or recording studio. Along with browsing their collection of Nike running shoes, rubbing elbows with artists, and perfecting your golf swing at their indoor Topgolf Swing Suite and celebrate both artistic and sports accomplishments at the Trophy Room.