History Lives Series Continues w/ Blagg, Son of Native American Artist

Cameron Blagg III, son of professional local artist, Cameron Blagg, Jr., will be the Camas-Washougal Historical Society featured speaker on Saturday, August 17 at 2 pm at the Camas Police Station Meeting Room, 2100 3rd Avenue, Camas. The presentation is part of the CWHS History Lives Series and is open to the public.  Light refreshments will be served. 

Blagg III will talk about his father’s prolific work painting Native American inspired pieces.  Blagg, Jr. grew up in Oklahoma at the edge of Cherokee and Choctow Indian Reservations. “His art is inspired by his love of western history and Native cultures,” said Blagg III. “He is always reading books to learn about the life of the old west characters.  Native Americans seem to enjoy the authenticity of his work.  He attends pow-wows and Indian markets to display and sell his art.”  

Blagg Jr. is still active in painting and occasionally sculpture. His piece depicting Native American fishing at Celio Falls can be seen in the front room at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum.  

Blagg III will also share memories of his childhood in Washougal, growing up 6.5 miles north of Bear Prairie in a canyon along the upper Washougal River. The family lived simply in a small cabin they built.  They produced their own electricity with a water wheel and used wood to heat their home and cook. 

At the presentation, Blagg III will also present the CWHS with several limited-edition pieces of his father’s work. “I thought the museum could sell the artwork to raise funds,” Blagg III explained. “I really enjoy the museum.”  The collection is estimated at $7,500 in value. 

CWHS operates the Two Rivers Heritage Museum at 1 Durgan Street, Washougal WA.   Regular hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the end of October. Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all Camas/ Washougal Historical Society members. Call 360-835-8742 for more information or to schedule group tours any day of the week.  https://2rhm.com/