September First Friday celebrates art in Downtown Camas Sept. 5

Artist Kathy Marty will be hosting an interactive handloom activity. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Artist Kathy Marty will be hosting an interactive handloom activity. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association

Downtown Camas will be filled with hands-on art activities, special performances, demos, and more from 5-8 p.m.

Members of the Downtown Camas Association invites area residents and visitors to join them in Downtown Camas on Friday, September 5th for the “Celebrate Art!” themed First Friday, where the whole community is invited to explore and appreciate art in many forms. Downtown Camas will be filled with hands-on art activities, special performances, demos, and more from 5-8 p.m.

Theo and Larissa Marais enjoying a piece from David Gerton, one of the local artists featured on the passport. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Theo and Larissa Marais enjoying a piece from David Gerton, one of the local artists featured on the passport. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association

This year’s Passport Activity celebrates local artists. Each participating merchant will host two pieces of artwork by local artists in a variety of mediums. Attendees can enjoy the displays, learn about each artist, and vote for their favorite of the two pieces. Completed passports will be entered to win artful prize baskets, with products donated by participating merchants and the Downtown Camas Association.

People can take a self-guided Downtown Camas mural art tour and learn about both the murals and artists that have created these beautiful public artworks in our downtown. This tour will include the new mural on the back of The Livingston Apartments on 6th Ave. International muralist Molly Keen has brought incredible vibrancy and color to downtown with her signature brushwork. Molly paints murals all over the world, always by hand with small paint brushes, and is known for traveling with her cat. This mural was made possible by Cascadia Development Co. This new addition to downtown is a perfect thing to celebrate on this artful First Friday.

Performers from the I Am Family Choir. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Performers from the I Am Family Choir. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Local artist Susan Fronckowiak who will be featured on the passport activity. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Local artist Susan Fronckowiak who will be featured on the passport activity. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association

All are welcome to a special performance of the I Am Family Choir from Uganda, performing at 7:30pm inside the Journey Church auditorium, 304 NE 4th Ave. This talented children’s choir brings joy, music, and culture to audiences worldwide. The organization formed in Uganda in response to the Cholera and Aids epidemic in the 1990’s and has been supporting vulnerable women and children ever since. The group will also have pieces of African art and crafts available for sale as a fundraiser for their cause.

Additional artful activities on First Friday will include:

  • Hands-on art demos hosted by local artists in mediums such as collage, basket weaving, quilling, painting, and more
  • Collaborative Doodle Mural inside Journey, 304 NE 4th Ave
  • Live Painting and Refreshments at the RedDoor Gallery, 411 NE Dallas
  • A new exhibit and artist talk at Gallery 408, 408 NE 4th Ave, featuring artists Paul Boggs and Phillip Vourvoulis
  • Live music and refreshments at Attic Gallery, 419 NE Cedar
  • A new group exhibition at Second Story Gallery, upstairs at 625 NE 4th Ave,  themed “Harvest/Abundance”
  • Special interactive music booth hosted by Opus School of Music near 4Ever Growing Kids, 440 NE 4th

Pick up your First Friday Passport and Activity List at the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) tables in the Journey lobby, 304 NE 4th Ave, to start your evening.

Millie the Dog all dressed up for Celebrate Art First Friday. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Millie the Dog all dressed up for Celebrate Art First Friday. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Artist Deborah Nagano will be sharing a hands-on art collage demonstration. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association
Artist Deborah Nagano will be sharing a hands-on art collage demonstration. Photo courtesy Downtown Camas Association

“We’re so excited to celebrate art with the community in new ways this year,” says Leah Nichelson, Event Manager for the DCA. “From hands-on activities to the stunning new mural to international music, this First Friday will be an inspiring and joy-filled evening for everyone.”

First Fridays are free, family friendly, and open to all. They are coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and bring the community together. Each themed event includes art, activities, shopping, dining, and more.

For all the information, visit downtowncamas.com/event/celebrate-art and facebook.com/camasfirstfriday.

Information provided by the Downtown Camas Association.


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