February 2019
With the new year comes a new name for Arts of Clark County. The arts community is growing and evolving and so are we!

Rest assured, it's still us, under the new name, Artstra. Read on to learn more.

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.
Advancing the arts
We are now Artstra

As we look ahead to a bright future for the arts, the nonprofit Arts of Clark County, formed nearly a decade ago, will change its name to Artstra.

The name change, effective Feb. 1, "more accurately reflects our independent spirit," says Chair Karen Madsen. "We are not affiliated with any government entity, and yet we support
and work with city, county, regional, and state arts groups when our visions align." In addition, Madsen says that Artstra's programs and interests reach beyond any specific geopolitical boundaries. So the new name intentionally leaves behind any reference to geography.

Artstra is literally "arts" forwards and backwards containing the aesthetic symmetry of a palindrome. There is also a hint of arts strategies in the name, a reminder of the group's focus on developing and implementing "arts strategies that create community."

It was back in 2009 when a small group of arts supporters banded together to establish a
formal advocacy for the arts in Clark County. The closing of Columbia Arts Center and the
2005 disbanding of the Vancouver Cultural Commission left a void, especially, for continue reading...
Making a mark in the arts
Jonathan Richman and Beth Harrington of the Modern Lovers. Photo courtesy Beth Harrington.
Local filmmaker Beth Harrington to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Jackie Genis

Critically acclaimed filmmaker Beth Harrington will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award from the Clark County Arts Commission at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 in the county council chambers. Harrington initially planned a career as a DJ, but lucky for the world, that didn't happen.

A Boston native, Harrington began her career as a rock n' roll singer, guitarist, and aspiring DJ. "Art and music was huge," said Harrington, her friendly nature clearly evident. "My family was very musical."

In the early 1970s when it was clear becoming a DJ was out, fate stepped in allowing the 22-year-old's love of music, culture, American history, and the essence of the human spirit to ignite an exciting and continue reading...
First Friday picks
Alder Suttles, Volition
"Aqueous" at the CAVE
 
Art at The CAVE gallery presents "Aqueous," a new exhibit relating to water through various perspectives. Artists featured are Theresa Biagioli, Robert Bickel, Steve Eichenberger, Michael Smith, Alder Suttles, Anne John, Kathi Rick, and Sharon Svec.

In the front gallery, visitors can experience various interpretations of the Aqueous theme through the geometric reflections of Robert Bickel, the timeless sculptures of Steve Eichenberger and an oil painting of Michael Smith's. Swimmers of all shapes grace the canvases of Alder Suttles, while Anne John reveals her newest work. Sharon Svec will display one aquatic inspired tapestry, and Kathi Rick's multi-media work will occupy the black box.


Opening reception: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., First Friday, February 1.

108 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver
Don Bishop, Early Morning Sunrise
Don Bishop at Art on the Boulevard
 
In a solo show at Art on the Boulevard, Don Bishop focusing on light and atmosphere in a series of landscape paintings. These new landscapes are approached in the classic tonalist style but with a contemporary eye towards composition and color resulting in a more modern minimalist look.

Opening reception: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., First Friday, February 1.

210 W. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver
For other Vancouver First Friday listings, see VDA's Hot Sheet
Symphony sounds
Buster Keaton in The Cameraman
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra goes back to the movies
 
The Vancouver Symphony's Chamber Music Series welcomes Rodney Sauer back to Vancouver for the showing of The Cameraman (1928) with live musical accompaniment at the historical Kiggins Theatre at 3.pm. on Feb.10. The concert begins with a special viewing of the Laurel and Hardy short comedy, Wrong Again, followed by The Cameraman. The presentation of these classic 1920s silent films features new and spirited arrangements from score compiler and pianist Rodney Sauer.  

$25, $10 for students with ID  
 
1011 Main St, Vancouver
Theater
Steel Magnolias stars (from left) Cindy Heikkala as Clairee, Patricia Rohrbachas Ouiser, Jessica Wisniewski as Shelby, Karen Cleveland as M'Lynn, Rebecca York as Truvy and Rebekah Skinner as Annelle. Photo by Mike Patnode
Steel Magnolias returns to Love Street Playhouse
 
Love Street Playhouse kicks off its 12th Season with a revival of one of their most popular shows, Steel Magnolias. The Woodland theater group brings this powerful story to the stage after 10 years. Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling, plays Feb. 15 through Mar. 3. Single tickets are $20.  

126 Loves Avenue, Woodland
 
Jeeves Takes a Bow
Magenta Theater
 
Magenta Theater Launches its 2019 Mainstage Season with a Well Mannered production of Jeeves Takes a Bow, a comedy adapted by Margaret Raether from the stories of P.G. Wodehouse.

Set in a 1930s New York bachelor pad, Bertie inflicts his charming ineptitude on America when he adventures across the pond armed only with his handsome fortune, talent for trouble, and his remarkable manservant Jeeves. But when a childhood friend gets Bertie mixed up with a vengeful thug named "Knuckles" McCann, he ends up mistakenly engaged to the meddling Vivienne Duckworth.

Directed by Casey Faubion, and produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc., this witty and faithful adaptation is Magenta Theater's first show of its 17th season, Feb. 1 through 16.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door.  

Magenta Theater
1108 Main St., Vancouver
Poetry Happenings
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic is Thursday, February 14, at 7 p.m., and will feature Tim Whitsel, author of Wish Meal (Arlie Press, 2016) and We Say Ourselves (Traprock Books, 2012). For six years he curated the Windfall Reading Series at the Eugene Public Library. His poem "Mudflat Allure" won first prize at the 2013 Northwest Poets' Concord. Hosted by Christopher Luna and Toni Lumbrazo Luna of Printed Matter Vancouver, Open Mic sign up begins at 6:30 p.m. and closes at 7 p.m.


Angst Gallery
1015 Main St., Vancouver
Barnes & Noble Open Mic is Tuesday, February 26, at 7 p.m. and will be an opportunity to read your three-minute piece of writing to a friendly audience, or just be a part of that audience, at the monthly open mic at Barnes & Noble Vancouver. The featured book is Chiaroscuro Kisses, a collection of poems by G.L. Morrison. Open mic pieces need not be related to the featured book or its author. Everyone's welcome to attend, whether or not they have an open mic piece to read.

More about this event
Call for art
For their Women Warriors exhibit, Angst Gallery seeks art which celebrates Women Warriors in all their various incarnations. All media welcome. Art may be dropped off on Saturday, Feb. 23, noon to 4 p.m. or Wednesday Feb. 27, noon to 4 p.m. The exhibit at Angst Gallery is March 1 - 23.


Angst Gallery
1015 Main St., Vancouver


Our all-volunteer organization works toward building greater arts awareness, rewarding creative excellence, and expanding arts accessibility. We are working to facilitate long-term arts development for Southwest Washington. We envision a stronger arts infrastructure that includes an art center and a community-focused performing arts facility. 

Your support will help to make this vision a reality. Artstra's current programs include our annual Clark County Open Studios tour and Poetry Moves, a collaborative effort that features the words of local poets on C-Tran buses. Both of these programs have already demonstrated the power of art in our lives to connect us, transform us, and fuel the economy.
4 ways to support the cause
If you love what Artstra is doing for our community, please consider these ways to contribute: 

  1. Donate
    Use PayPal to make a tax-deductible donation to Artstra. 
     
  2. Shop
    Link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Artstra using our code #84120. Just by using your rewards card number, and at no cost to you, every time you shop you'll help Artstra 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 Artstra.
     
  4. Volunteer
    Artstra 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

Cam Suttles, editor,  designer 
Jackie Genis, contributing writer
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 artsbrief@artstra.org, no later than the 25th 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 Artstra. We do not accept materials that primarily have a commercial objective.
About Artstra
Artstra, formerly "Arts of Clark County," is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization advocating for the arts in Clark County and southwest Washington. We envision a vibrant arts economy in our region, north of the Columbia River, with public/private investments and facilities that sustain artists and enrich community. Our mission is to elevate the arts, build greater arts awareness, reward creative excellence, and expand arts accessibility.