March 2017
Let's make something happen. Let's raise the bar here in Vancouver, Washington. In our Arts and Culture Summit of 2012, we identified the need for a more robust arts infrastructure north of the Columbia River. Support from our legislature could open doors to the statewide arts funding that could be a key component in encouraging development. This issue of ARTS brief shares what we learned in a recent visit to Olympia.     

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 . 
Derivative of work by  Brylie Oxley licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Plugging Into Olympia

In last month's issue of ARTS brief, we talked about a tremendous opportunity we have in Vancouver to build our arts infrastructure, meeting real needs, fueling our economy and bolstering our community's identity. The key is connecting the right people and resources to make something happen. 

We took a small step in that direction February 8 by attending Arts and Heritage Day in Olympia, Washington. The annual event organized by The Washington State Arts Alliance in coordination with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) was billed as a gathering that "brings together arts, humanities and heritage leaders, artists from all disciplines, and cultural professionals from across the state." The purpose for our presence at the event was to facilitate a dialog with our state legislators about our community's arts and culture needs.
 
In past years, our region has been sparsely represented at the event. Arts of Clark County took a very proactive approach this year. We recruited and sent five active members of the arts community to connect with state representatives and senators in a series of scheduled meetings to make the case for current arts legislation and, for us, arts infrastructure investment in Southwest Washington.
 
We learned that a really great project that meets the needs of our community and reaches out to our region will gain the support of our representatives.

First Friday Picks

Anne Truax, Oaks Park
Print Arts Northwest
"Impressions: 32 NW Printmakers"

You can't miss this month by attending the opening First Friday reception at North Bank Artists Gallery from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Print Arts Northwest is displaying images from 32 printmakers from throughout the Northwest. View hand-pulled etchings, wood and linoleum block prints, lithographs, screen prints, plus monotype and collagraph prints. Images range from intriguing abstracts to more traditional representational images. Meet the artists and enjoy yummy bagels and spreads courtesy of Sunrise Bagels. 

1005 Main St., Vancouver

Sally Sellers,  Catch Me Please
Local Fibre artists answer the call
"Fibre Arts: Warp, Weft, Needle & Thread"

Boomerang is hosting works in its upper and lower galleries from local artists working in fibre media, including applique, basketry, crocheting, dyeing, embroidery, felting, knitting, quilting, sculpture, spinning, tatting, textiles, and weaving. Many of the artists in this exhibition are showing for the first time. Opening reception is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Expect live music and light refreshments. 

808 Main St., Vancouver
Out and About
Art Alive!
Ridgefield: Youth Arts Month

March marks the third annual Youth Arts Month in Ridgefield. The celebration kicks off Saturday, March 4 with a performing arts concert at the Old Liberty Theater at 7 p.m. Youth Arts Month is a collaborative partnership between Ridgefield School District and the Ridgefield Community to encourage young people to participate in artistic endeavors. Key partners include the city of Ridgefield, Dance Fusion Northwest, Ridgefield Art Association, and the Ridgefield community library. Immediately before the show from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., you are invited to enjoy a reception at Sportman's Steakhouse and Saloon right next door to the theater on 121 N. Main Ave.


Old Liberty Theater
115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield
Clark County Historical Museum
100th Anniversary and Grand Reopening

Join the ribbon cutting and unveiling of "All Aboard! Clark County Rides the Rails" Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. Admission is free courtesy of Riverview Community Bank. Other exhibits to take in are "Making Beauty: Indian Beadwork of North America," "Bridging the Gap: The History of the Interstate Bridge," and "Food for Thought: Clark County's Food History."


Clark County Historical Museum
1511 Main St., Vancouver
Symphony Sounds

Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely in
One Week, 1920
VSO's Chamber Series goes to the movies to present three groundbreaking silent films
 
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Series returns to the historic KigginsTheater Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m. The orchestra will accompany three classic film comedies, including "One Week," a 1920's film starring Buster Keaton, "Fatty & Mabel Adrift," a film from 1916 featuring Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and Mabel Normand, and "Gertie the Dinosaur," from 1914 - also a cinematic first - created by and starring Winsor McCay, an American cartoonist and animation pioneer. Immediately following the concert, a food and drink reception will commence next door to the theater at Niche, a wine and art bar. The reception is open to all concert attendees.


Kiggins Theater
1011 Main St., Vancouver
Legendary Jazz Clarinetist Ken Peplowski to play at benefit
 
Come out and enjoy listening to legendary jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski at the Royal Oaks Country Club Saturday, March 25. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. show. The beautiful country club will be transformed into a jazz supper club reflective of the 1940's and 1950's to add to the evening's festivities. Expect classic cars and cigar girls! A red carpet lined with concert posters of jazz legends, dancing, "a signature jazztini", and an elegant prime rib dinner are among the highlights. Proceeds from this event will benefit Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Education Initiative. The Education Initiative focuses on extensive music education outreach programs that serve to empower students, educators, and adults in our community. A portion of the ticket cost is tax deductible.


Royal Oaks Country Club
8917 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver
Poetry Happenings

Sam Roxa-Chua
Sam Roxas-Chua

Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic  is Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. The popular event features poet and visual artist Sam Roxas-Chua, author of Fawn Language, published by Tebot Bach (2014). His poems have appeared in various journals including Narrative, december Magazine, and  Cream City Review. His collection of poems, Diary of Collected Summers, won the first place award in the 7th Annual Missouri Review Audio Competition in poetry. Hosted by Christopher Luna and Toni Partington of Printed Matter Vancouver. Open mic sign up begins at 6:30 and closes at 7 p.m. Food and libation provided by Niche Wine Bar and sound provided by Briz Loan and Guitar.


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.