November 2017
Believe it or not, the Clark County Open Studios tour is in its fifth year. It's time to celebrate and meet this year's artists! In this issue we also offer our post-summit survey results, where participants weighed in and shared their comments.  

ARTS brief is designed to intrigue you while sharing useful information, events, happenings, and current news related to arts growth in our region. If you love what you see here, please forward this to your friends and encourage them to   join our email list and subscribe
First Friday
Artist Megan Eckman in her studio
Open Studios to celebrate fifth anniversary 

-- Jackie Genis

19 new artists on the tour
Open to the public, this year's fifth anniversary celebration tour brings new artists and plenty of fresh inspiration. The popular self-guided tour will launch during its annual preview exhibition and artists' reception on Friday, Nov. 3, at the CAVE, the new contemporary art space located at 108 Evergreen Boulevard in downtown Vancouver. The actual tour happens just one week later on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
"The tour is guaranteed to inspire," said Jennifer Williams, director for Open Studios. "On Open Studios weekend, visitors can learn first-hand about techniques in painting, printmaking, sculpture, glass, ceramic, jewelry, fiber arts, and photography."
 
Open Studios delivers excitement
This year expect to see diverse works of 53 local artists in the heartbeat of their studios. Nineteen of these artists are new to the tour. Continue reading ...
For other Vancouver First Friday listings, see VDA's Hot Sheet
Advancing the arts
Summit survey results:
Optimism with a realistic view of the work ahead

--Cam Suttles

After the recent Arts and Culture Summit, we surveyed participants to learn a bit about what people think may be the path forward. The Summit's theme was arts infrastructure north of the Columbia, with a focus on downtown Vancouver in particular because of its potential as a catalyst for investment that could have ripple effects across Clark County and southwest Washington. 

With 130 people in attendance, we had 44 survey responses, a 34% response rate which is within the expected range for an audience already engaged with the topic. Overall people were very positive about their experience at the summit, giving it an  average score of 4.3 out of 5. People on the whole seemed to be enjoy the event. The panelists, speakers and the substance being addressed was connected and resonated with the crowd.  Continue reading ...
Out and about

Bea Garth,  Lady in Pink
CAVE Talk features 3 Open Studios artists 

Artists Bea Garth, Deb Spofford, and Sharon Svec will talk about their inspiration and their processes in an artist talk at the CAVE gallery on November 18 at 2 p.m.  

108 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver
Life and Death  

We can't have one without the other. Talk about death and celebrating life: 2 programs at the Vancouver Community Library.


Death Cafe
Enjoy sweets while speaking freely about your thoughts on death in small, informal discussion groups. A volunteer facilitator will be there.
Sunday, November 12, 1 p.m.  

Día de los Muertos
Enjoy live music, activities and entertainment, including pre-hispanic and traditional Mexican dancing, and crafts for all ages.
Saturday, November 18, 2 p.m.

Fort Vancouver Regional Library
Columbia Room, Level 1
901 C St., Vancouver
Empty Bowls  

Join in a supper of sourdough bread and delicious soup  ladled in a handmade bowl  created by Clark College students and local artisans.  Also enjoy the music of very talented young performers.  This event on November 9 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Woodland High School is a combined effort to raise awareness  in the fight to end hunger. $20.00 per ticket includes handmade bowl and dinner.

Woodland High School
1500 Dike Access Rd.,  Woodland

Poetry Happenings
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic  is  Thursday, November 9, at 7 p.m., and will feature Julene Tripp Weaver, author of Truth Be Bold: Serenading Life & Death in the Age of AIDS.  Hosted by Christopher Luna and Toni Partington of Printed Matter Vancouver, Open Mic sign up begins at 6:30 p.m.and closes at 7 p.m.  

Learn more


Angst Gallery
1015 Main St., Vancouver

5 ways to support the cause!
If you love what Arts of Clark County is doing for our community, please consider these ways to contribute: 

  1. Donate
    Use PayPal to make a tax-deductible donation to Arts of Clark County. 
     
  2. Shop
    Link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Arts of Clark County using our code #84120. Just by using your rewards card number, and at no cost to you, every time you shop you'll help Arts of Clark County earn a quarterly donation from Fred Meyer.
     
  3. Shop online
    Use this link to login to Amazon, and they will donate a portion of the proceeds from your purchase back to Arts of Clark County.

     
  4. Repurpose
    Donate quality or like-new items to Boomerang coffee house and consignment store. Specify that you would like proceeds to benefit Generosity Partner Arts of Clark County.
     
  5. Volunteer
    Arts of Clark County is an all-volunteer organization. If you have specialized skills, especially in fundraising, outreach and marketing,
    we'd love to talk with you.
ARTS brief team

Jackie Genis, writer, editor 
Cam Suttles, designer, editor
Editorial Policy and submission guidelines
ARTS brief is intended to be useful to readers by offering a curated selection of stories and announcements related to the growth of arts in our region. Submitted items should be newsworthy. This means that arts-related items for content consideration must perform well in at least two of the following five areas: timing, significance, proximity, prominence, and human interest. Please submit materials to our lead writer, Jackie Genis, jackiegenis@outlook.com, NO LATER THAN THE 20TH OF EACH MONTH. Note that submission does not guarantee publication. We evaluate each submission to determine how it fits our goals for ARTS brief and whether the item under consideration aligns with the mission and vision of Arts of Clark County. We do not accept materials that primarily have a commercial objective.
About Arts of Clark County
Arts of Clark County (AoCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created for the purpose of promoting, encouraging, and enhancing creative expression and artistic opportunities in Clark County and Southwest Washington. The arts contribute to this region's unique character as a desirable place to live, work, and visit. AoCC and its volunteer board of directors supports all forms of art--music, theater, dance, and literary, visual, and media art--and works to ensure that arts experiences are inclusive of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.