In 2004 Russ and Jody felt a longing for video and media art in the local community.  In years past Jody spent time in her twenties  working at the Northwest Film Center at the Portland Art Museum and riding her bike to art events and experimental screenings in Portland Oregon.  Russ spent years at PATV,  a sojourn as project manager for Bill Viola, and eons working as an intermedia artist.  As they settled down and took root in their life together, these experiences informed their desire to fill a void in the local arts landscape.

Echotrope was born.