Main Street won't close for chalk murals this weekend. Tualatin Valley Creates, the nonprofit that organizes La Strada dei Pastelli, announced Thursday, July 17, that the free festival will not return in 2026.
The two-day event had been scheduled for Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, in its usual spot along East Main Street between 1st and 4th avenues in downtown Hillsboro. In past years, nationally recognized and emerging artists transformed the pavement into 10-by-10-foot chalk murals while tens of thousands of visitors watched.
Organizers have estimated the festival generates more than $1 million in local spending each year, supporting restaurants, retail shops, and local artists.
Johanna Flores, who became Tualatin Valley Creates' executive director in fall 2025, said the organization is rethinking how it delivers arts programming under her leadership. Flores previously coordinated volunteers for the 2025 La Strada festival and served as development manager at Centro Cultural.
"Chalk art is such a powerful visual medium that brings community together and lets spectators watch the creative process unfold," Flores said in a statement. "TVC is committed to keeping the spirit of La Strada alive as we work to develop a sustainable, community-centered and artist-forward plan for future festivals."
The festival was created by local nonprofit 2D4D and held in Beaverton in 2019 and 2021 before moving to downtown Hillsboro in 2022, when Tualatin Valley Creates took over with support from the City of Hillsboro. It has been a signature event in the city's Cultural Arts District alongside the Farmers' Market, Tuesday Night Market, and Holly Days Celebration.
Pop-up program replaces full festival
In place of the full festival, Tualatin Valley Creates launched the Pastelli Pop-Up Program, a seasonal initiative running through October that sends chalk artists to community events and public spaces across Washington County.
The most recent pop-up took place Saturday, July 11, during Ten Tiny Dances at The Round Amphitheater in Beaverton, where chalk artist Raziah Roushan created live artwork alongside outdoor dance performances.
Upcoming confirmed pop-ups include a July 28 appearance at Beaverton Pride and a networking event Friday, August 14, at First Street Commons in Beaverton.
No Hillsboro-specific pop-up dates have been announced yet. Tualatin Valley Creates said events will come to Hillsboro and the broader Tualatin Valley, with details posted at tvcreates.org as they are confirmed. The organization has not set a timeline for announcing plans for a future full-scale La Strada festival.
Other arts events in Hillsboro
While Hillsboro pop-up dates remain to be scheduled, other arts programming continues downtown:
- Summer Art Showcase 2026: On display at Brookwood Library and Shute Park Library through Monday, August 31, featuring more than 100 artworks by 42 local artists. Free admission. A public reception is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Brookwood Library.
- Hillsboro Art Walk: First Tuesday: Tuesday, August 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Downtown Cultural Arts District.
