Camas, WA — The public is invited to view recent works by local artist Blue Bond at Camas Gallery throughout the month of November. Camas Gallery, located at 408 NE Fourth Avenue in downtown Camas invites area residents to attend the First Friday Art Walk Reception to honor Bond and his work on Friday, November 4th from 5 pm to 8 pm. Refreshments will be served. 

“We are thrilled to feature Blue Bond this month,” said Marquita Call, co-owner of Camas Gallery. “Blue Bond is a Northwest artist who has over 40 years of experience in the art field, painting in oil and acrylic. His bold, colorful, realistic portrayal of people, animals, and vast panoramas are vivid; evoking emotion and depth.”

In 2005, Bond was honored by being commissioned to do an oil painting commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event, “America Celebrates Freedom,” which took place in Vancouver, Washington, was the largest held in the United States, and sponsored by the United States Department of Defense. Bond’s painting appeared on memorabilia and the original is on display at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust in Vancouver. 

Another great highlight was an invitation to paint a portrait of one of the “Beautiful Lives Lost,” commemorating those who died in the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2017. Blue chose to paint Rocio Guillen Rocha, a 41 year-old mother of four. Her youngest child was only six weeks old when she was killed. It is with great pride that the family has her painting as a gift, forever honoring her short life. Blue enjoys commissioned portraits, and strives to create the best possible picture of the subject. 

Camas Gallery has been open in Camas for more than a decade and is an award winning gallery owned by Marquita Call and her daughter Jennifer Senescu. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and represents about 16 artists including three new artists to the gallery: Suzanne Grover, Sandra Longmore and Virginia Bittler.

Bond

 

Camas, WA – Lara Blair’s grand opening of The Loft art gallery will be August 27, 2022 in her studio located at 411 NE Dallas St, Camas, WA. The inaugural show is titled A Sense of Place and features two exhibits, Aloft and Confectionery Landscapes.

In addition to running a portrait studio, Blair is a working artist who has featured her fineart photography and mixed media work in Northwest galleries and business establishments. The gallery on the upper floor of her studio will be a permanent home to display current work four times a year.

These two exhibits represent an energy and a rhythm to the streets we walk, fields we run through and horizons we take in. Confectionery Landscapes is a collection of candy colored architectural scenery and iconic buildings. Aloft is a series of large mixed media pieces featuring a bird’s eye view of farmland. The overall vision of the show is: whether standing in front of a man made structure, or taking in the vast picture of the world from above, we feel the spirit within it.

The opening celebration is open to the public at 7 pm on the 27th. There will be music, beverages and portrait studio giveaways.

The 13th annual Camas Vintage & Art Faire will return to the tree-lined streets of Downtown Camas on Saturday, August 27, from 9 am-3 pm. This event will feature over 60 vendors including local artists and artisans in a variety of styles and mediums, as well as merchants featuring vintage, antique, and repurposed items.

Artists will showcase their professional paintings, fiber art, ceramics, upcycled works, photography, hand-crafted jewelry, metal work, and more. Vintage vendors will feature a wide variety of indoor and outdoor vintage decor, as well as vintage clothing, furniture, jewelry, and accessories. The event is located on 4th Avenue and Birch Streets, near Camas Antiques at 305 NE 4th Avenue.

Washougal fabric, multimedia, and collage artist Sandy Moore of Sandy Moore Arts will join the faire for the first time this year. Her portrait and seascape collages combine hand dyed fabric, paints, ink, and free-motion stitching. Other new art vendors include Kary Lane Photography, who features images from the Pacific Northwest. Recycle With Soifer offers creatures made from upcycled metals and other materials. Keith E. Russell showcases realistic paintings of classic cars and other automobiles. Other returning art vendors include, Girl in the Pearl, Liz Pike Art, One Little Blackbird, Windy Hill Weavers, Women, Wine & Words, and many others.

Belle Flower Farm is also a new vendor at this event. Pam Richey Curtis offers home-grown flowers in vintage vessels. Her designs feature vintage teapots, bushel baskets, and curated antique vases. Lady Outlaw Antiques will add a Western flair to the faire with her collection of vintage boots, cowboy hats, and jewelry.  Moltwear, who creates apparel and accessories from vintage lace, buttons, and textile remnants will return for 2022. Other returning vendors include fan favorites like Dora Louin her vintage pink and white travel trailer, H Street Alley Antiques, Dickey’s Décor, Lil Red Barn and many more. For a complete list of all art and vintage vendors, visit https://downtowncamas.com/event/camas-vintage-art-faire.

Bret Malmquist will play jazz guitar from 10 am-12 pm and the Carol Rossio Jazz Trio will perform their unique blend of French jazz and pop from 12:30 pm-3 pm. In addition to our many popular downtown restaurants, additional dining options will include Getta Gyro, BlackDog Hotdogs, Doug’s Kettle Corn, and treats and pastries by Truly Scrumptious.

“We so look forward to this event each year. It’s such a lovely combination of funky finds and truly breath-taking works of art, all on the streets of our dynamic downtown.” Says Jan Carter, Event Coordinator for the Downtown Camas Association. “Chatting with local artists and collectors from all walks of life is one of the highlights of our whole Summer.”

Vintage Vendor registrations are still being accepted and registration information can be found here: https://downtowncamas.com/event/camas-vintage-art-faire.

The Downtown Camas Association hosts the Camas Vintage & Art Faire,  and the event is sponsored by Camas Antiques. The DCA works year-round to strengthen and promote Downtown Camas through partnerships, events, beautification and historic preservation projects, economic development, advocacy, and tourism functions. For information on the DCA and other downtown events, visit www.downtowncamas.com.  

Fern Prairie, WA — The third annual Fern Prairie ART FEST is a two-day event connecting local artists and the community on Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31 from 10 am to 4 pm. The ART FEST is staged in the peaceful and tranquil setting of Shangri-La Farm, located 1.5 miles north of Lacamas Lake just outside the city limits of Camas, Washington. A total of 10 artist booths will be featured in the juried show.

“These fine artists are excited to show and sell their work at ART FEST,” said organizer and local artist Liz Pike. Liz will be joined by artists Sarah Bang, Bev Birdwell, Cheryl Folkers, Dave Garbot, David Gerton, Suzanne Grover, Charlene Hale, Amy Jan Ernst, Cheryl Mathieson, and Keith Russell. Original work includes paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolor, pastels, mixed media, pottery, fused and enamel glass, jewelry, pen and ink, and copper mixed media.

The public is invited to take in original works of art surrounded by the beautiful gardens at Shangri-La Farm. Attendees will park at rented Grove Field Airport parking lot, 632 NE 267th Avenue, Camas, WA. Guests may either walk the 1/4 mile trail through the woods to Shangri-La Farm or take the free “Sunflower Mobile” shuttle service. The Sunflower Mobile is an art piece all on its own, hand painted by Liz Pike in oils on fiberglass in her signature sunflower motif. The free shuttle will be available to transport attendees from the airport parking lot to Shangri-La Farm on both days, Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31 between 10am and 4pm.

For more information, contact Liz Pike at 360-281-8720 or email pikeadvertising@comcast.net

Washougal, WA – Washougal School District and Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance have joined forces again to shine a spotlight on student art during Washougal Youth Arts Month (WYAM). March is recognized nationally as Youth Art Month.

The cornerstone event for WYAM is the Washougal Youth Arts Month Gallery, showcasing student works created in art and Career and Technical Education classes from all Washougal schools. This year it will be held in a new location at the Washougal High School Excelsior Building at 1401 39th Street on March 23-25 from 5-7 pm and March 26 from 2-5 pm.  It’s free! 

“Our young artists have been working hard all year to create art to share with our community,” said Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle School art teacher and WYAM gallery organizer, Alice Yang.  

Art pieces to be displayed include multimedia, watercolor, clay, video, and include works by WHS Career and Technical Education students with photography, metal and wood pieces.  In addition to the displays of art, music has been added to the gallery with WHS choir students Lily Barrett and Megan West to perform one song each on Saturday at 4:20 pm.

“Making the event even more special, the student-operated Panthers’ Cafe will be open on Wednesday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm for coffee creations for purchase,” said Margaret Rice, WSD CTE Director. “And on Saturday from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm CTE Culinary program students will be serving free appetizers they prepared in class, while supplies last.”

Yang will also have a loom set up for gallery visitors to be a part of a community weaving project to create fabric art. 

“The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance has a wonderful partnership with our schools and have funded and helped facilitate a number of student-created public art pieces,” said WACA Board Member, Rene Carroll.  “But our favorite collaboration is WYAM and the gallery specifically.  The level of talent these young artists exhibit is impressive. It is wonderful to help share this work with the community and give students recognition for their efforts.”

Natalia's

Like so many other events in 2021, last year’s WYAM gallery was presented online. 

“Although the online gallery was so beautifully done, there’s nothing like seeing an artwork up close and personal,” Yang remarked. “The art teachers and students are so excited to have an in-person art show this year.” Past in person WYAM galleries have hosted hundreds of families and art lovers stopping by each day to enjoy the student work.

Washougal Youth Arts Month received formal recognition from both the City of Washougal and Washougal School Board with proclamations being signed at City Council and School Board Meetings last month.

“By collaborating in this rich arts endeavor with our community, we are supporting a partnership opportunity to know, nurture, and challenge all students in Washougal to rise to their creative potential,” said WSD Superintendent Mary Templeton. 

Youth Art Month started nationally in 1961 when the Council for Art Education and National Art Education Association named March as Youth Art Month to recognize art education and the value of art to create a better quality of life for all people.   Research indicates that high-quality art educational opportunities can improve critical-thinking skills and even help to foster important values such as empathy and acceptance.

For a full list of scheduled art activities and events throughout the month of March, go to http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/

WYAM

Washougal, WA — The sound of a steady drum beat and the singing of a blessing in Chinookan language filled the afternoon air at the dedication of the Gathering Place at Washuxwal pavilion held at its site at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum on Saturday, September 18. 

A small group of supporters and honored guests gathered to celebrate the project’s completion.  Four years ago, the Camas Washougal Historical Society (CWHS) Board of Directors decided to start an effort to recognize the contributions and tell the stories of the Native Americans who lived in this area of rushing waters. The Gathering Place at Washuxwal project was born. True to its name and intent, the Gathering Place will play host to a variety of interesting educational programs, as well as CWHS meetings and events.

The open pavilion design is inspired by traditional cedar plank houses used by local tribes living along the shores of the Columbia River.  It features Native-inspired wood carvings created by Adam McIsaac, project lead carver and advisor for the pavilion artwork, a respected expert in Native American art.

CWHS president, Jim Cobb, thanked supporters of the project at the event calling out three individuals for their significant roles. Michael Lewallen and Jason Ferrier of Lewallen Architects in Camas and Mark Albin of Able Hands Construction. 

“Without Michael’s help we could not have finished the project, or even got it started,” said Cobb.  “And Jason was our designer and architect and so much more. Mark was the one who set all of this up.  He cut the inserts, put in the posts, put on the roof, he is the one who literally screwed the place together.  Mark worked hard and I can honestly say I don’t know of anyone else who could have done it.”

The dedication highlight was the two blessings performed by Sam and Mildred Robinson.  Robinson, vice chairman of the Chinook Nation, told the group that long houses provided a lot for the people of this land.  

“You look around and notice one entrance,” he pointed out. “The step in would drop as much as three feet. People would ask how the elders got inside. Well, we would pack them. Our elders were very important to us. They carried our knowledge; they were like our libraries, so we took care of them at all times.”

Robinson went on to say that he refers to Chinook longhouses as the first colleges in the Pacific Northwest.  

“In these buildings is where people would sit in the winter by the fire and learn from their grandparents, their aunts and uncles. They would learn what it was like to be Chinook and how it was to be Chinook for tens of thousands of years on this Columbia River.”

As is the Chinook custom to give a gift to visitors, Cobb presented the Robinsons with Pendleton blankets from the CWHS.  

“We hope our relationship with the tribe can get solid and we can work together with educational programs and use this place to help bring back the local history and stories of the past,” Cobb said. 

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is located at 1 Durgan Street in Washougal and open March through end of October on Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm.  Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all CWHS members.  Group tours are available any day of the week (by appointment only). Call Lois Cobb at 360-835-5449 for scheduling.

“We hope everyone will be interested in seeing this completed project and visit the museum before we are closed for winter maintenance starting in November,” said Cobb.  “Just because we have finished the plank house, doesn’t mean that we are done improving the Two Rivers Heritage Museum experience for the public and especially our local community.”

Fern Prairie, WA — The second annual Fern Prairie ART FEST is a two-day event connecting local artists and the community on Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and August 1 from 10am to 4pm. The ART FEST is staged in the peaceful and tranquil setting of Shangri-La Farm, located 1.5 miles north of Lacamas Lake just outside the city limits of Camas, Washington. A total of 15 artists will participate in the juried show.

“These fine artists are excited to show and sell their work at ART FEST,” said organizer and local artist Liz Pike. Liz will be joined by artists Sarah Bang, Bev Birdwell, Tom Daniels, Derek Danielson, Cheryl Folkers, Dave Garbot, David Gerton, Suzanne Grover, Charlene Hale, Gail Haskett, Amy Jan Ernst, Cheryl Mathieson, Keith Russell and Diane Springer. Original work includes paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolor, pastels, mixed media, pottery, ceramics, fused and enamel glass, jewelry, pen and ink, wood, cast metal and copper mixed media.

The public is invited to take in original works of art surrounded by the beautiful gardens at Shangri-La Farm. Attendees will park at rented Grove Field Airport parking lot, 632 NE 267th Avenue, Camas, WA. Guests may either walk the 1/4 mile trail through the woods to Shangri-La Farm or take the free “Sunflower Mobile” shuttle service. The Sunflower Mobile is an art piece all on its own, hand painted by Liz Pike in oils on fiberglass in her signature sunflower motif. The free shuttle will be available to transport attendees from the airport parking lot to Shangri-La Farm on both days, Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and August 1 between 10am and 4pm.

For more information, contact Liz Pike at 360-281-8720 or email pikeadvertising@comcast.net

Art Fest
By Sara Bang.
Art Fest
By Amy Jan Ernst

Washougal, WA — Washougal area artists are once again opening their studio doors to offer a fascinating and art-filled family outing for Mother’s Day weekend.  The 2021 Washougal Studio Artists Tour, to be held May 8-9 from 10 am to 4 pm, will include 8 stops and features 15 local artists representing a vast array of creative works and mediums.

“We are excited to safely invite visitors back into our studios and outdoor display areas for this year’s event,” said Shirley Bishop, WSTA co-coordinator and local glass artist.  “Last year we held a virtual tour and promoted our artists online. It just wasn’t the same. The art experience is so much richer when a patron can visit an artist’s studio. They are able to see where the magic of creating art happens and learn about both the art and the artists.” 

Now in its fourth year, WSTA has drawn much interest and support from the local community and visitors from the Portland area and beyond.  

“We are delighted that many people taking the tour are discovering Washougal for the very first time,” said Bishop. “And they really enjoy the tour route that winds along the scenic Washougal River and through the Washougal foothills.  It’s nearly as beautiful as the art!”   

Washougal
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

The Washougal area boasts many high-quality professional artists. 

“It is no wonder,” said Bishop. “There is so much natural beauty to be found here that it serves as inspiration to these talented artists.”

New to this year’s tour are Trish Johnston, watercolor; Dana Bergdahl, acrylic & watercolor; Stu Ager, mixed media: organic metalwork design; India de Landa, contemporary art jewelry; Samuel Shrout, casted metal and wood, and Nancy Carkin, acrylic, oil and watercolor. 

Returning artists are: Char McHugh, ceramics; Anna Wiancko-Chasman, clay & mixed media; Cyndee Starr, mixed media; Kathy Marty, handwoven eco-friendly rugs; Shirley Bishop, fused glass; Tamara Dinius, mixed media; Toni McCarthy, original beaded jewelry; Sharon Ballard, acrylic painting; and Jean Hauge, multi-media.

New this year is the Runaway Kitchen food truck at tour stop #4, offering delicious meals and snacks for hungry shoppers. 

Preview participating artists’ work and see the tour map on the Washougal Studio Artists website 

www.WashougalStudioArtists.org   

You may also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Participating artists will also have copies of the map available, as well as many local businesses.

Washougal, WA — The eerie sound of chains rattling, footsteps across a wooden floor, actors voicing character dialog and a healthy dose of imagination.  These are just some of the elements that will bring “Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol – A Radio Play” to life by the Jemtegaard Middle School Soundstage students and staff.

“Last spring our Soundstage club was supposed to perform The Box by Lindsay Price and then of course COVID happened,” said Diana Larson, Soundstage creator and advisor.  “It was a big disappointment.  We had the scenery ready and everything.  We considered a mini version, but it just would not have been the same.” 

Not wanting to disappoint the students again, it was decided to perform a radio play this fall.  “We found that there were a lot of radio show scripts out this year,” said Larson.  “We were excited to find this classic holiday story and it even came with sound effects.  We decided to do it!”   

Soundstage club members were ready for the challenge, having met over the summer with upwards of 20 students attending the weekly sessions.  Larson used her connections with actors, singers, and dancers from New York through her years in vocal training to connect her students on Zoom to professionals in the entertainment industry.  “We had online dance instruction, sing-a-longs, monolog sessions and even had a very special guest, Juliana Conte, a singer/dancer who has appeared in New York in Spring Awakening and the Adams Family,” she said. John Armor, Shakespearean actor and stage combat choreographer for Portland Opera and other theater companies, also provided virtual lessons over the summer.

The radio show was cast via virtual auditions in October. “The great thing for students is that no one has to work to memorize the lines,” said Larson. “They will read them as their character.  There will be no visuals, just the listeners’ imagination.” 

Washougal
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com

Rounding out the cast will be several notable special guests. John Hugill, a local Portland actor, will anchor the show and perform the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge.  JMS principal, David Cooke, will read the part of Bob Cratchit and WSD Superintendent Mary Templeton will voice Mrs. Cratchit.  Other JMS staff participating include History teachers Scott Rainey and Scott Hoisington. 

“The student actors were outstanding,” said Templeton.  “They came to the recording prepared.  They knew their lines, their characters and had vocal presence.  They created a presentation that is artistic and engaging.” 

Each actor will record their part via Zoom and then it will be professionally edited together, with sound effects, for the final product.  “Our sound engineer, Vic Sorisio, is doing the recording and editing,” said Larson.  “He also coached the students to understand how they need to sit and speak during their recording for the best sound quality.” 

Recordings took place November 2 and 5 and the show will be available online on the Washougal School District website on December 4.  Just in time for the holidays. 

“My goal is to provide these students an opportunity to be a part of a production and experience that joy and satisfaction,” said Larson.  “I also hope that the show brings our community together with a shared holiday experience.”

Camas, WA — Lara Blair Photography in downtown Camas is offering limited Holiday Sparkle & Wonder session to capture the spirit and joy of the season.

Blair answers some questions about this fun, new project.

What is a Sparkle & Wonder session?

For 45 minutes, we capture your family in a choice of holiday sets (super creative…think “Target ad”) and also on a plain white backdrop. We want you to have some original holiday images for your cards and social media, but we also feel everyone should have up-to-date, fun family images to display at home.

When are the sessions?

We are shooting only a handful in November. We are providing evening appointments (a rarity at our studio) so everyone can make it. We’re booking now—first come, first booked.

What’s the investment?

This session is $250, a savings of $100 from our usual sessions. Our portrait design specialist will walk you through our products (including fabulous holiday cards!). With a $600 order, you receive 25 complimentary cards.

Call 360.980.2413 or email larablairart@gmail.com to schedule your session today!

Blair
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com