First Friday activities include live music and dance performances, artist demos, a ribbon cutting, plein air painting, art receptions, games and prizes, collaborative art, after-hours shopping and more
CAMAS — Calling all art lovers to create, enjoy and collaborate for September First Friday in Downtown Camas. The theme “Celebrate Art!” will bring art in many forms to the town’s charming tree-lined streets on Sept. 2 from 5-8 p.m. First Friday activities include live music and dance performances, artist demos, a ribbon cutting, plein air painting, art receptions, games and prizes, collaborative art, after-hours shopping and more.
“From Art to Finish” is a new element for this year’s First Friday festivities. Local artists will begin a work of art and event goers will be invited to add their own artistic touches to the pieces throughout the evening. Local artists include Kathy Marty of Windy Hill Weavers, who will be bringing her mini loom and encouraging people to try artful weaving for themselves. Artist Tamra Sheline will participate, with a focus on creating memorable art while bringing smiles to others. Artist Spike Palmer is also joining the From Art to Finish activity and his piece will be full of recognizable city landmarks, including The Liberty Theatre and the Little Bronze Girl sculpture. Spike Palmer is a fan of bringing art and community together, saying “We should emphasize that they can only add to the art, meaning if they cover something up, that’s totally okay. That’s what happens when I paint. It’s just a journey to have fun and enjoy the collaboration.” The finished art pieces will be displayed in the windows of the new Attic Gallery expansion space at 340 N.E. 4th Ave, which is slated to open soon.
Visitors can watch artists paint their surroundings in “plein air” from 9am-4pm throughout downtown. Camas Gallery has been coordinating a “plein air” (French for open air) painting event in Downtown Camas for over seven years on this First Friday. The tradition of “plein air” painting gained popularity in France in the 1870’s and was vital to the impressionist painting movement. You can vote for your favorites from 5-8pm and People’s Choice awards will be given. Spectators can peruse other pieces from participating artists on display inside the gallery from 4pm-8pm. For artists interested in participating, please contact Jennifer Senescu at jennifer@cwchamber.com for an application.
Other artful activities that night will include:
- “Choose Your Favorite Art” passport game for all ages throughout town with prizes
- Ribbon Cutting (5pm) & Grand Re-Opening for Camas Bike and Sport at 303 NE 6th
- Youth Dance Performances by Vega Camas at 6pm and 7pm in front of the Liberty Theatre
- Take the Downtown Camas Mural Tour and be entered to win
- Art Shows and receptions 5-8pm at Attic Gallery, 421 NE Cedar; Second Story Gallery, upstairs in the Camas Library, 625 NE 4th; and Camas Gallery, 408 NE 4th
- Kids’ arts & crafts at LiveWell Camas, 417 NE Birch
- Live Outdoor Music hosted by Mesa, 228 NE 4th
- Shop, dine, & have artful fun all throughout Downtown Camas
Start your evening by picking up a First Friday Passport & Activity list at the DCA table inside Journey at 304 NE 4th Ave.
“Art is such an important facet of our thriving community in Downtown Camas,” says Jan Carter, Event Coordinator for the Downtown Camas Association. “We are excited to bring people together to celebrate art in all its forms, as well as encouraging them to discover the artist within themselves.”
The plein air part of the event is sponsored by Camas Gallery and the other art activities are hosted by the Downtown Camas Association and downtown merchants.
First Fridays are free, accessible, and family friendly events coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and bring the community together. Each themed event includes art, games, activities, shopping, dining, and more. For all the information, visit downtowncamas.com/event/celebrate-art and www.facebook.com/camasfirstfriday .
Information provided by Downtown Camas Association.
Also read:
- Tesla opens doors of first Vancouver location
One of the largest names in electric vehicles has opened in Vancouver and is putting a charge into the local market. Tesla has arrived in Clark County. - Firmly Planted Family Resource Center announces plans for move to larger facilityWith over 1,000 students enrolled in dozens of supplementary classes, the center is ‘bursting at the seams’ of its current facility.
- Heritage Trees at Parker’s Landing Historical Park receive life-extending careDuring a clear morning with Mt. Hood in sight, and a temperature of 28 degrees with a windchill, three trucks and five men from Cascade Tree Works arrived at Parker’s Landing Historical Park. The trucks, crew, and chipper were there to give a helping hand to the park’s heritage apple grove, walnut, and cherry trees.
- Washington ranked ninth worst state in the nation for fines and fees collected per residentIn 2020 Washington collected more than $234.7 million in fines and fees, meaning state and local governments collected $30.47 in fines and fees for every resident of the Evergreen State.
- Opinion: Abortion bills move forward, including SB 5242, eliminating cost-sharing for enrolleesElizabeth Hovde of the Washington Policy Center explains that dictating what insurers cover and what their copays and deductibles look like impacts all those who buy insurance and pay premiums in Washington state.
- Chuck Green joins the city of Ridgefield as public works directorOn Tuesday (Jan. 31), the city of Ridgefield announced that Chuck Green has accepted the position of public works director for the city.
- Democratic proposal for compulsory voting is ‘un-American,’ senators sayUnprecedented in U.S., bill would require Washington residents to cast ballots in every major election, end right not to vote.
