Oregon Artist Brings Nature to Salem’s Civic Center with Public Art Installation

When the Salem Civic Center reopens next year following a seismic retrofit, visitors will be greeted by a new art installation from an Oregon artist reflecting the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley.

The art installation, inspired by Oregon's white oaks and created by Michael Boonstra, will be located in the center open air atrium of the Civic Center. The work will consist of two 7' by 24' metal panels with 1/8" space between. To create the work, Boonstra uses a water jet to cut perforations in large steel sheets. Each panel will be 1/8" thick and will be mounted 2" from the surface of the concrete wall, allowing light to pass through the perforations created by the water jets. In the open air setting, the metal selected will rusts to create a patina that will add to the character and coloring of the material.

"I'm excited to design and create this artwork for the City of Salem," Boonstra said. "Examining various facets of a site's history is a major aspect of my creative practice. Linking visual elements of a century's old oak tree with 20th century architecture that is being updated to 21st century standards presents a unique opportunity to honor the past while looking towards the future."

"My hope is that the design concept ties these layers together in a way that is visually engaging and meaningful for years to come."

About the Artist

Boonstra received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan and his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oregon. He is the sculpture coordinator and co-founder of the Creative Field Work program at Oregon State University.

Boonstra's studio work is included in the collections of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the City of Portland, Oregon State University Cascades, Umpqua Community College, the OSU School of Forestry and PacificSource. He has been an artist in residence at Playa Center for Art and Science, Djerassi, Caldera, Pine Meadow Ranch, Signal Fire and the Kesey Farm.

About the Civic Center Project and the Artist Selection

The City is required to spend half a percent of public building construction costs on public art, such as the Civic Center seismic retrofit. The total cost for Boonstra's proposal is $130,000 from the Civic Center project. The 2022 voter-approved Safety and Livability Bond included $39.4 million for seismic, system improvements and accessibility upgrades to the Civic Center.

Similarly funded public art works can be found in the recent Salem Public Library and Salem Police Department Headquarters.

In 2023, design work began on the Salem Civic Center project. Construction began in July 2025. Civic Center services and staff are temporarily relocated during the construction. The building is expected to reopen in early 2027.

The proposal from Eugene artist and Oregon State University art instructor Michael Boonstra was selected from 24 proposals and eight interviews by the Salem Public Art Commission. Boonstra's inspiration for the art is from the many Oregon White Oaks that are native to the Willamette Valley.

About the Salem Public Art Commission

The Salem Public Art Commission is charged with overseeing the City's public art collection. The commission's primary duties include acquisition and approval of the City's public art collection; maintenance and repair; cataloging; decommission art within the City's collection; and approving public murals.

The seven volunteer members of SPAC are appointed by Salem's Mayor and City Council who have experience, training or expertise in the visual arts, art history, art criticism, museum curation and art education. The Commission helps identify the criteria, selection, acquisition and location of art for the City of Salem.