April 2016
Hello to a sunny April 1! Music, dancing, prose, and plenty of art happenings are filling this month with a smorgasbord of things to learn, connect to, see, and do. Tonight's art walk includes artful celebrations and after-party dragons!

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   subscribe . Enjoy!
Advancing the Arts
Donated art supplies spark creative play for homeless children

by Jackie Genis

A homeless woman fell asleep over her food at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, one of Vancouver's Winter Hospitality Overflow shelters, while her young child sat engaged at a craft table sampling the magic of creative play. Other children would hungrily tap their inspirations using a variety of donated arts supplies while still more mothers, families, and couples finally had a chance to simply eat. 

 "Art relieves stress, and gives them a chance to think and be creative," said Laurel Whitehurst, one of the founding members of Arts of Clark County who spearheaded the nonprofit's donated arts supplies program. She was also at the fore starting the Clark County Arts Commission. "You have to have the basics first - food and shelter - and then you can sit down and let your mind play a little bit." 


2016 Clark County Open Studios now accepting applications

WHO:  Visual artists and artisans living in Clark County, working in all media 

WHAT:  Clark County Open Studios is a juried art event, offering a unique opportunity for you to gain further recognition as an artist, open your studio doors to the public, and to show and sell your work. For the community, Open Studios is a free self-guided tour that will enhance awareness of talented local artists while enriching the cultural life of Clark County neighborhoods. 

WHEN:  Open Studios tour: Sat-Sun, NOVEMBER 12-13, 2016, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Preview exhibit and artists reception: 
First Friday NOVEMBER 4, 2016, 5-9 p.m. 
Esther Short Building,  610 Esther St.,  Vancouver

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2016


First Friday Picks

Lune de Papier,
Jim Hockenhull
Jim Hockenhull
Dengerink Art Supply

You might not look at photography the same way after experiencing the work of Jim Hockenhull. The well-regarded Salem artist creates portrayals using digital technology by masterfully manipulating and enhancing each image. Hockenhull's final print displays little or nothing of the original image while still retaining its essence. His work will be on display throughout April. See more of Jim Hockenhull's work.

Dengerink Art Supply
518 Main St., Vancouver

  Vancouver Lake,  Penne Fossa
Lynn Nadal and Penne Fossa
Boomerang

Expect to bask in thoughtful renderings from artists Lynn Nadal and Penne Fossa at Boomerang's First Friday showing from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibition will feature 12 dynamic mixed-media paintings from Nadal that include dream-like venues and tall tales of childhood. Fossa, a Vancouver photographer, will share work depicting the special light of our natural environment in the Pacific Northwest.

Boomerang - Generosity Returns
808 Main St., Vancouver

Dragon Viewing Destruction of Earth by Nature
Frank Lagielski
Brickhouse Bar and Grill

After indulging in a leisurely stroll through First Friday galleries of your choice, head over to the Brickhouse's art walk after-party to feast your eyes on artist Frank Lagielski stylized renderings of dragons created using charcoal, ink, and pastel chalks. The talented artist will also display a collection of figure drawings. Both collections relay Lagielski's eye for gestural expression. 

Brickhouse Bar and Grill
109 West 15th St., Vancouver

Staircase, Teva Egar
Photography by student artists
Gallery 360

Enjoy an April group show at Gallery 360 featuring photography from Battle Ground High School students. First Friday Artists' Reception is Friday, April 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Expect refreshments and live music by percussionist Rob Lewis. 

Gallery 360
605 Esther St., Vancouver

First Friday anniversary celebrations
27 artists featured during 10-year anniversary gathering
Art on the Boulevard

Savor artistic creations in a wide array of media at Art on the Boulevard's 10-year anniversary celebration from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Over the years, Art on the Boulevard has helped to build a flourishing arts community. A few of the artists featured in this special anniversary show - celebrating both the past and the future - were among the core group of artists displayed when the gallery first opened in 2006. Since then, many Pacific Northwest new, emerging, nationally recognized, collected, and award-winning artists have graced the gallery with their artful depictions. Expect to see a few debuting artists in the show. Light refreshments will be served, and many of the artists will be in attendance.

Art on the Boulevard
210 W. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver
25 fine art photographers celebrate 30-year anniversary
North Bank Artists Gallery

Consider checking out a diverse group of creative image makers from the Inner Light Photographic Society. The group is gathering to celebrate their 30-year anniversary at North Bank Artists Gallery. Expect to see images in a wide array of styles and media, including black and white landscapes. Manipulated imagery, street, semi-abstract, and more depicting genuine expression are among the featured works. All the members of the Inner Light group are exhibited photographers.

North Bank Artists Gallery
1005 Main St., Vancouver
Out & About

Murray Perahia
Legendary pianist Murray Perahia
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Legendary pianist Murray Perahia plays a solo performance Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The famous artist claims more than 40 years' experience and is considered one of the greatest American living pianists of our time. His program includes Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, and Beethoven. 


Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
1037 SW Broadway, Portland

Mixed media work by Sam Marroquin
Jo Hockenhull and Sam Marroquin
Vancouver City Hall

Art continues to breathe creative energy inside City Hall. The community is invited to enjoy the large-scale paintings of artist Jo Hockenhull displayed alongside the thoughtful and encaustic (wax) mixed media artwork of Sam Marroquin throughout April and May. Both artists draw their inspirations from current and historical events. Pieces on display appear to be large relief sculptures of birds with classical architectural elements, including columns, plinths, and archways. Marroquin's paintings incorporate images from daily life by layering pages from magazines, newspapers, paint, and renderings drawn into the wax. The works are composed and complex. Hockenhull is a master of tromp-l'oeil, a technique that gives a two-dimensional painting three-dimensional depth. There is a bit of humor in Hockenhull's creations. To learn more visit rivergalleryart.com or smarroquin.com

Vancouver City Hall
415 West 6th St., Vancouver
Performing Prowess
Magenta Theater

Don't be a fool on April Fools' Day. Instead, enjoy the graduates of Magenta Theater's storytelling workshop as they share fools-themed tales in The Edge: Foolishness at 7:30 p.m. 

Spring into action and consider seeing Hay Fever, the theater's second 2016 production, starting April 15. The play is written by Noel Coward and directed by Tanya Gray. Expect a foiled attempt for a quiet country weekend for novelist David Bliss when his retired actress wife and spirited children appear, each with guests and agendas. Flared tempers, misunderstandings, and plenty of entertaining drama will ensue and is sure to generate laughter. Advanced reservations are recommended. 

Get plugged in as a volunteer! 
To get involved with Magenta as a volunteer, visit the one-hour overview of the theater company and take a backstage tour on Tuesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. Please e-mail if you would like to attend the volunteering orientation.  


Magenta Theater
1108 Main St., Vancouver

Ballet Folklorico Olincalli to celebrate Day of the Children
Downtown Fort Vancouver Regional Library 

April color abounds during a performance by the Ballet Folklorico Olincalli dancers Saturday, April 30 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the downtown Vancouver community library in the Columbia Room. The performance celebrates Day of the Children through Mexican folklore dances. Expect a colorful and vibrant presentation of children and adults. The afternoon will also offer a blend of crafts and activities. The audience is invited to join the dancing group during the final song of the event.


Fort Vancouver Regional Library
901 C St., Vancouver
Poetry Happenings
Angst Gallery, 1015 Main Street - angstgallery.com - April 14 at 7 p.m. The popular event will celebrate National Poetry Month by featuring writers from Clark County Poet Laureate Christopher Luna's Clark College poetry class as part of the community education program.. Learn more.

Poetry and Prose at Angst Gallery, Saturday, April 2 at 3 p.m. A new poetry and prose open mic encourages the community to share work in progress or a newly released novel. Each writer gets five minutes to read. Learn more.

Poeming Pigeon Book Launch Sunday, April 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at High End Market Place located at 1906 Broadway St. in Vancouver. Poets Toni Partington and Christopher Luna will be present at the event. Expect music by River Twain. 
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, [email protected], 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.