Sometimes you just have to make art happen. It's amazing what we can do when we just jump in. Take a look around there's plenty to get involved in.
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
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Figure Drawing workshop at The Historic Trust's Artillery Barracks, August 8, 2018. Photo: Alder Suttles
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A virtual, pop-up art center
Early in August we partnered with The Historic Trust by providing Make Art! workshops for the Trust's innovative "Common Ground" week of history, art, music, dance, and literary events. Billed as a "gathering for curious people," Common Ground was the perfect opportunity to invite the community to join in art workshops involving a variety of art-making techniques and mediums.
More than learning a new skill, we wanted participants to benefit from a collaborative process where people join together and learn from each other, regardless of their level of experience. As registrations rolled in, we quickly confirmed what we have learned from the community -- the interest is there and the need for some kind of local art center continues to go unanswered.
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Monotype workshop engaged all levels of experience.
Photos: Cam Suttles and Annie Davern
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Accomplished artist facilitators led workshops, ranging from monotype printmaking with Jason Mayer to figure drawing with Alder Suttles. "Very mixed-media" artist Bonnie Meltzer wrangled and guided 30 people as they made a truly unique work of art. Starting with just a 25-foot core of Pendleton blanket selvage, participants took the brightly colored balls of wool and joined in, working alongside each other, crocheting and connecting one strand of yarn to another. As artists shared their ideas and helped each other form the composition from a wild and unruly bundle, a common idea emerged and a singular work was created. It was kind of magical and wonderful. Felt artist Janice Arnold engaged participants in becoming collaborators in her ongoing and ambitious "Monster Felt" project.
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The Collaborative Crochet workshop was truly collaborative. Photo: Annie Davern
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Each day of the one-week chautauqua brought a new art form and an enthusiastic new group ready to explore and share. A portable monotype press allowed the Providence Academy ballroom to be converted into a printmaking studio, and in subsequent days, a crochet and felting studio. Meanwhile, a room in the Artillery Barracks building was turned into a figure drawing studio.
The week closed out with the ballroom transformed to a performance space for Washington Dance Creative in the morning with dancers Autumn Cassity, Amara Malcom, Josh Murry-Hawkins, Cait Powers, and pianist Liz Kohland, and in the afternoon for the duo of Jackie Genis and Russell Capps.
Looking back to last year's Arts and Culture Summit, we recall a recommendation from one of our panelists. Dance and public installation artist Linda K. Johnson suggested we create "liquid infrastructure" on the path to physical infrastructure. If you don't have permanent space, you can begin to see results by taking the lead to just make something happen.
Thanks to The Historic Trust, our wonderful workshop facilitators, and dance troupes. Thanks to everyone for participating and supporting this effort.
Common Ground and Make Art! workshops were definitely infiltrated by a gathering of curious people. Let's keep the liquid infrastructure flowing on our way to a future art center.
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Dance performances in the Providence Academy Ballroom, August 11, 2018.
Photos: Annie Davern
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Please lend a helping hand on September 20
We're counting down the days to September 20 and Give More 24! when we will be asking for your help in funding our continuing arts advocacy work. Financial support will also be needed for our ongoing programs: Open Studios Tour, Poetry Moves, and Creative Relief Clark County, which provides art supplies for homeless children and families in need at shelters, school district resource rooms, and other facilities throughout the community.
Learn more about Community Foundation for Southwest Washington's Give More 24! program.
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Gwendolyn Morgan
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Clark County's new poet laureate to be celebrated at the Community Library
A public celebration of "passing of the pen" from Clark County's Inaugural Poet Laureate Christopher Luna, who served our community from 2013-2017, to Gwendolyn Morgan will take place in the Columbia Room of the Vancouver Community Library from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on September 30.
Gwendolyn Morgan is a poet and visual artist. Her first book of poems
Crow Feathers, Red Ochre, Green Tea, 2013, was a winner of the Wild Earth Poetry Prize, Hiraeth Press.
Snowy Owls, Egrets and Unexpected Graces was named 2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist and received a Nautilus Book Award. Gwendolyn and Judy A. Rose, her spouse, share their Salmon Creek home with Naomi, a rescued Cardigan Corgi and Chesapeake Retriever mix. In Gwendolyn's words, she "celebrates collaborative work for equity and inclusion while encouraging integration of literary and expressive arts, music, and holistic modalities."
Please join us in welcoming Gwendolyn Morgan as Clark County Poet Laureate. There will be readings and performances to demonstrate the creative energy of collaboration among art forms: poetry, song, dance, and more 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, September 30.
Columbia Room
Vancouver Community Library
901 C St., Vancouver
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Greg Archuleta (Clackamas Chinook, Santiam Kalapuya, and Shasta heritage, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde)
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Greg Archuleta at Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
September's featured guest in NACF's Native Artist Series is contemporary and traditional artist, Greg Archuleta. Of Clackamas Chinook, Santiam Kalapuya, and Shasta heritage, he is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Describing his perspective on Chinookan art Archulata says "Our art is not just something to put on the wall but integrated into and utilized in everything. The Chinookan people traditionally used lots of red cedar, but there are also materials I use from other Oregon tribes. In my work, I incorporate contemporary pigments in combination with our traditional natural pigments. I like to remind people that art is not stagnant but continues to advance as part of living [culture]."
Archuleta will share a variety of carved and woven pieces that will be offered for sale.
Opening reception: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., First Friday, September 7.
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
Providence Academy Bldg., Suite 101B, Vancouver
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Carson Legree,
Smack
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Stories that might be true
The CAVE's newest exhibition (through September) features women of the Pacific Northwest telling "Stories that MIGHT be True."
View the works of artists Michelle Allen, Wendy Armstrong, Rachel Aponte, Marthe Aponte, Erin Dengerink, Lesley Faulds, Bea Garth, Mar Goman, Cynthia Heise, Anne John, Linda Kliewer, Carson Legree, Michelle Marusek, Kathi Rick, Sandy Sampson, Sharon Svec, and Crystal Zeller.
During First Friday evening there will be special guest performances by
Sumona, Monica, Barbara, Nala, Pamela, and Rakayia --
belly dancers from around the region.
Opening reception: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., First Friday, September 7.
108 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver
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Al Sieradski,
Halo for a Vanished Star (left), Denise McFadden,
Winged Pelican (right)
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Earth Elements: Denise McFadden & Al Sieradski
Art on the Boulevard will showcase watercolor paintings by Denise McFadden and stone sculptures by Al Sieradski. Opening reception: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., First Friday, September 7.
210 W Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver
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Carol Lytle, Matisse Moose
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"In the manner of..."
New show at The Artist Loft
First Friday brings us "artwork of the past reinterpreted today" by artists from among the 26 members of The Artist Loft Community and from public submissions following the theme for the gallery's bi-monthly show. The Artist Loft is a community art studio offering facilities, services, and gallery space for anyone interested in being creative in a socially supportive environment. Opening reception: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., First Friday, September 7.
1001 Main St, Suite C, Vancouver
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Cheryl Mathieson,
Lacamas Morning
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Cheryl Mathieson
Camas Gallery
Cheryl Mathieson is a painter of landscapes, still life, and people, with the aim to synthesize and share her feeling for everything she paints. Recently, she's been heading outdoors to paint plein air, discovering the benefits of immersive observation.
Opening reception: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., First Friday, September 7.
The gallery will also be participating in First Friday's Plein Air and Art Event from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Resulting artwork will be shown on the street outside the gallery from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to vote for their favorite piece of art, as people's choice awards will be given.
408 NE 4th Ave, Camas
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Use Your Voice: Art as Activism
"Use Your Voice: Art As Activism" exhibit will be at the Vancouver School of Art and Academics (VSAA) September 1 through October 15, 2018. The mission of this show is to bring together artists from around the Pacific Northwest to inspire students and staff. The public is invited to see this amazing show on September 13th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Participating artists are: Abby Harris, Greg Coneyne, K.C. Madsen, Michael Smith, Martin French (dean of illustration at PNCA), Crystal Zeller and OWCA artists: Bea Garth, Parmalee Cover, Bette Lee, Eileen Kressel, with Portland artist John Kurtyka, and Seattle artist Amy Pleasant.
The reception is free and open to the public. Original experimental jazz by "Climate Strange." Crystal Zeller arranged this exhibit with help from the Oregon Women's Caucus for Art (Parmalee Cover -- OWCA exhibit coordinator and Bea Garth, OWCA President).
On October 5, classes at VSAA close down as usual, and the entire school will be moving through a series of visual art workshops and presenters offered by some of the invited artists. All in all a very inspiring experience!
Vancouver School of Arts and Academics
3101 Main St., Vancouver
(Use the main entrance adjacent to the parking lot behind the school.)
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Lehuauakea Fernandez and Jason Phelps
Esther Building Art Space
Jason Phelps experiments with materials such as salt, rust, shells, and other natural elements juxtaposed with spray paint and stencils. Being heavily influenced by the notion that art can have a transformative effect on people and community, Phelps makes artwork with the intent of creating positive change. His works can be seen on the second floor of the Esther Building.
On the first floor are paintings on raw canvas by artist Lehuauakea Fernandez. She explores her native Hawaiian heritage through this body of work. She describes her paintings as "meditations on some of the ways in which I have seen Kāne - sacred life - around me."
The art of Lehuauakea Fernandez and Jason Phelps
On exhibit: August through November 2018
Esther Building Art Space
610 Esther Street, Vancouver
Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Baskerville
A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Ken Ludwig's adaptation transforms Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle's
The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir! Directed by Brenda McGinnis, and produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., this is Magenta Theater's fourth show of its 16th season and will be presented September 7-22.
Magenta Theater
1108 Main Street, Vancouver
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Leonard Bernstein, photo credit: Getty Images
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Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 40th Anniversary Concert: Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra celebrates its history in its 40th Anniversary season opener, welcoming violin virtuoso Mayuko Kamio back to the stage. A gold medalist of the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Ms. Kamio joins the orchestra in the performance of Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto. Music Director and world-renowned conductor Maestro Salvador Brotons returns for his 28th season. The concert will also offer tribute to Leonard Bernstein's centennial anniversary, including selections from his masterworks "Candide" and "West Side Story." Additionally, the VSO premieres Odyssey Overture written by local composer, Nicole Buetti.
Performances are Saturday, September 29 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, September 30
at 7 p.m.
Skyview Concert Hall
1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver
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Pianist Dimitri Zhgenti
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Chamber Music Series Kicks off eighth Season Kiggins Theatre
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra launches its eighth season with The VSO Artist Showcase in the Historic Kiggins Theater in downtown Vancouver. This chamber music series highlights upcoming talent in the Classical Concerts of the 40th anniversary Season opening in late September. The Kiggins Theatre on Main Street has been home to the Chamber Concert Series for seven seasons, and the VSO is thrilled to continue into its eighth season on Sunday, September 9 at 3 p.m.
1011 Main St., Vancouver
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Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic is Thursday, September 13, at 7 p.m., and will
feature Connecticut Poet Reggie Marra, author of four books of poetry and four of nonfiction, including
And Now, Still: Grave & Goofy Poems and
Killing America: Our United States of Ignorance, Fear, Bigotry, Violence, and Greed. 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.
Narrative Healing: Transcending the Illness
Poet Reggie Marra facilitates a narrative healing workshop at Angst Gallery Friday, September 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cost is $35.
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Playwright Dominique Morisseau (left), William (Bill) Earl Ray, Director (right)
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Skeleton Crew
Artists Repertory Theatre
It's 2008, and one of the last auto plants in Detroit is dying on the vine. The factory workers that remain are living paycheck-to-paycheck but amidst the backbreaking work and brutally long shifts, they have somehow shaped themselves into a makeshift family. Faye, a factory lifer, is the glue that holds everything together. But with less than six months before she can retire with a full pension, Faye learns that management has a plan that could threaten her whole existence, leaving her torn between loyalty to her coworkers or her own survival. Heartbreakingly tense with moments of ethereal beauty,
Skeleton Crew reveals the struggle to stay relevant in a society that constantly changes. September 2 to September 30
Artists Repertory Theatre
Morrison Stage
1515 SW Morrison St, Portland
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The CAVE Art Gallery seeks your submissions
"Politiks: the Art of Deception," is an exhibition planned for October 5 to 27. There is a $15 submission fee (maximum two). All art submitted will be displayed for this unusual exhibition. This is your opportunity to let your opinions be heard before election day. All art for submission should be brought to 108 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. October 2. 2D work needs to be wired and ready to be hung. Payment for submission of up to two pieces must be submitted when the artwork is dropped off.
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Second Story Gallery seeks artists to fill its 2019 calendar at the library
Second Story Gallery in Camas is accepting applications from artists who would like to display their work in 2019. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m.Friday, September 14.
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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. Arts of Clark County'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.
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4 ways to support the cause!
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If you love what Arts of Clark County is doing for our community, please consider these ways to contribute:
- Donate
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Editorial Policy and submission guidelines
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| 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 [email protected], 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 Arts of Clark County. We do not accept materials that primarily have a commercial objective. |
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About Arts of Clark County
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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.
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