July 2025

Drumroll, please.......

After a short June pause, we’re back — and bursting with exciting news! Juried artists have been chosen for one of Artstra's longest running community arts programs, and another call for literary artists is now open. We’re launching a brand-new collaborative event this month, packed with free, hands-on workshops for all ages—one vibrant space, endless creative possibilities. Plus, our team has found a new home, and you're warmly invited to visit. July is shaping up to be a month of imagination and connection. Come be part of it!

Announcing the 2025 Clark County Open Studios Tour artists!

Artstra is excited to reveal the artists selected for the 12th annual Clark County Open Studios Tour, taking place November 1–2, 2025. This year’s jurors—Laura Vincent, Christopher Moench, and Janelle Baglien—have curated a diverse group of artists representing a wide array of styles and mediums. Find out more about the jurors below.

Congratulations to the 2025 Open Studios Artists:

Sharon Agnor, Christian Barrios, Paul Blais, Valerie Blessley, Barbara Bureker, Stephanie Burton, Ann Cavanaugh, Jacque Davis, Mariel Del Rincon, Erin Dengerink, Kathleen Duncan, Adrienne Eliades, Ann Fleming, Russell Ford, Elizabeth Ganji, Joy Garner, Anne Gilmour, Gregory Gotham, Don Gray, Vicki Green, Abhisar Gupta, Alecia Hall, Rosemary Herr, Larry Holt, Ana Gabriela Honsowetz, Sarah Lynne Hunter, Jessica Joner, Michael Kay, Hilary Kent, Jason Litts, Travis London, Jill Mayberg, Kelly Mead, Stephanie Joy Mitchell, C.D. Moland, Christopher Mooney, Sandy Moore, Deborah Nagano, Ted Norris, Natasha Ramras, Tom Relth, Linda Robertson, Terri Shinners, Betsy Soifer, Ken Spurlock, Lois Steiner, Zhanna Tsytsyn, Oleg Ulitskiy, David Walden, Michelle Welch, and Jennifer Williams.

Rosemary Herr in studio

Mark your calendars for November 1–2, 2025, and join us for a weekend of creativity

and community during the Clark County Open Studios Tour.

We’re thrilled to share that Ana Gabriela Honsowetz, has been awarded the 2025 Christine Rice Emerging Artist Scholarship. Known locally as “Ana the Artist” for her

impactful murals throughout Clark County, Ana will receive a $1,000 award and

mentorship. This marks the third year of the Christine Rice Memorial Scholarship, made

possible by the generous support of the Rice family.

From teaching herself portrait drawing at age 10 to launching her full-time art business in 2021, Ana has spent her life pursuing art with passion and intention. As an independent muralist, fine artist, and designer, Ana’s visual language is rooted in realism, storytelling, and community engagement.

Now best known for her large-scale murals and brand design, Ana uses public art as a tool to honor history, amplify local voices, and create spaces of connection and belonging.

With every project, she combines deep research and intuitive design to ensure her work reflects the heart of the community it serves.

This honor not only recognizes her outstanding talent, but also the integrity, independence, and vision with which she approaches her craft.

Congratulations, Ana!

About the jurors:

Janelle Baglien is president of Studio Art Direct, a corporate art consulting firm founded in 2005. Baglien curates artworks by Pacific NW artists for permanent art collections in large-scale healthcare, hospitality, and corporate projects on the West Coast. 

Laura Vincent is the Founder and Director of Laura Vincent Design & Gallery, an exhibition-based contemporary art gallery in Portland’s Pearl District that presents artists with soulful and discerning voices. 

Christopher Moench is an accomplished ceramic artist and founded the Whatcom Artists Studio Tour in 1994. His "Axis of Hope Prayer Wheels" can be found in public collections throughout Washington and beyond. 

Join us this month for Freeform—an open house-style event offering free, hands-on workshops in piano, dance, ceramics, visual art, and poetry. For one afternoon, the Vancouver Arts Hub becomes your creative studio, with six unique opportunities to explore and engage.

Presented by Artstra’s Creative Relief in partnership with theARTScentered, this three-hour event is designed for flexibility: wander in and out of workshops, stay as long as you’d like, and enjoy the freedom to explore. Whether you're trying something new or reconnecting with a forgotten passion, Freeform is your space to play and create.



Registration is free but required—reserve your spot today so we can plan for materials and make room for your creative spirit.

What: Freeform - an afternoon of creativity

When: July 20th, 2-5pm

Where: Vancouver Arts Hub,1007 East Mill Plain Boulevard

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Freeform workshops include:

Mixed-media with

Pamela Sue Johnson 

Create a mixed-media watercolor artwork with the guidance of mixed-media artist Pamela Sue Johnson.

This beginner-friendly art process allows for playful creative expression, resulting in unique and vibrant artworks. All supplies provided.

Piano with Hyunsoo Lee



Join musician and educator Hyunsoo Lee for a playful piano session designed to get you making music in just 15 minutes. You’ll learn a one- or two-hand version of a well-loved tune—and walk away with the skills (and the music!) to keep playing at home. No prior experience needed for this hands-on introduction to piano.

Sculpture with Ann Koontz

Join artist and instructor Ann Koontz for a hands-on, open-ended sculpting session using air-dry clay. You’ll learn simple techniques to shape and build with confidence, then follow your inspiration to bring any sculpture you imagine to life. No prior experience needed for this playful, creative workshop.

Traditional Mexican Dance with Marianna Cruz



Learn authentic traditional Mexican dancing with Marianna Cruz, a dancer and instructor of Clark County’s own Vancouver Ballet Folklórico! Experience the rhythms, skirt movements, and footwork of the western Mexican state of Jalisco! Skirts provided! Dancing shoes are recommended but not required!

Neurographic Drawing with Nicole B. Schmidt



Join artist, teacher, and facilitator Nicole B. Schmidt and delve into your subconscious to release difficult emotions holding you back or keeping you stuck in negative thought loops. You will walk away with a meditative drawing practice to build new neural pathways—no artistic ability or experience needed for this guided drawing class.

Poetry with Susan Dingle



Join Clark County Poet Laureate Susan Dingle for a poetry workshop where you’ll use writing as a tool for reflection, expression, and connection. Through guided prompts and conversation, you’ll create poems that speak from the heart—no experience needed.

Have a way with words? Artstra's Poetry Moves is calling on poets of all ages across the Vancouver-Portland area to submit their original work for Season 15 of Poetry Moves — the public art program that brings poetry to life on C-Tran buses!

Whether you're an established poet or just love to play with language, this is your chance to have your voice travel across the city...literally. Up to two poems can be submitted, each no longer than seven lines. If selected, your poem will be featured on C-Tran buses starting October 2025 and you’ll receive a $100 honorarium.

This season’s selections will be chosen by acclaimed poet and 2024 Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize winner Allisa Cherry (pictured) who will also contribute one of her own poems to the final lineup.

The deadline for submission is August 31st.

Let your words move people — one ride at a time.

Arts Hub project photo. Credit: Be Heard Vancouver

A standing-room-only crowd packed the Vancouver City Council meeting on Monday, June 9, to voice strong support for continued investment in the city’s emerging

Arts Hub at 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd.

The 50,000-square-foot building, formerly used by FVRLibraries, was returned to the City in 2023 and activated in early 2024 through a partnership with nonprofit theARTScentered. The space has since served as a vibrant, temporary hub for artists, hosting classes, workshops, rehearsals, and performances — an early “proof of concept” for a larger vision of a fully renovated Vancouver Center for Arts & Culture.

Though renovations are set to begin later this year — including asbestos abatement, roof replacement, and fire safety upgrades — capacity is currently limited, and full use of the building may be paused during construction.

During the meeting, over 100 community members urged the Council to help identify interim spaces for displaced arts activities and to maintain funding for current programs during the transition.

“We don’t want to lose the momentum we’ve built,” said Christine Richardson, executive director of theARTScentered. “This has become a productive, high-impact community asset. Now is the time to continue building—not rush to fill the space with systems that don’t serve the community.”

Supporters stressed the need for thoughtful renovation, flexibility, and continued investment to ensure the Arts Hub grows into a permanent, thriving center for creativity in Vancouver.

The discussion concluded with city officials expressing interest in collaborating with artists and arts leaders to create a clear renovation timeline. They also proposed exploring other city-owned spaces and potential funding solutions to ensure that arts and culture programming can continue uninterrupted during construction.

Read the full interview with Christine Richardson HERE.

Vancouver Arts Hub, a gathering place for these artists and arts lovers

Beginning this month, Artstra’s regular monthly meetings will now take place at the Vancouver Arts Hub. Artstra is thrilled to join the growing list of community arts organizations utilizing this dynamic arts space that’s easily accessible from I-5 and offers plenty of free parking.

Our monthly meetings are open to the public and offer a great opportunity to learn about Artstra’s current and upcoming projects. Join us on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. We’d love to see you there!

What: Artstra Monthly Meetings

When: Second Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm

Where: Vancouver Arts Hub,1007 East Mill Plain Boulevard

Local artist and newest Artstra board member Russell Ford will host a hands-on animal mask-making workshop this month in his Vancouver studio. The 2–3 hour session is open to all, with a special invitation to individuals who may have limited access to arts experiences or creative spaces. No previous experience is necessary, and the workshop is especially appropriate for middle and high school youth.

The workshop is free to attend, with a suggested donation of $20 to help cover the cost of materials and workspace. All materials will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a printed picture (portrait and profile) of the animal face they would like to sculpt. Ideally, this should be a photo of a real animal rather than a cartoon or artistic interpretation—images sourced from Google are perfectly acceptable. Completed masks will be fired and made available for a follow-up raku firing event near the Vancouver Art and Music Festival on August 2nd and 3rd.

To register and receive additional details and directions, please email Russ HERE.

What: Animal Mask Making Workshop

When: Sunday, July 13 at 3:00pm

Where: Vancouver Arts Hub,1007 East Mill Plain Boulevard

Russell's work can be seen July 12th at the grand opening of the new Vancouver Waterfront gallery, Aqua, inside the Terminal 1 building on the corner of Quayside Place and Cascade Street.

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico invites you to a special summer celebration in support of their mission to empower Hispanic youth through music, dance, and tradition. This intimate gathering will feature:

• Live performances showcasing traditional dance
• Music that inspires and energizes
• Raffle prizes you won’t want to miss
• Flavorful Latin cuisine
• A tribute to heritage and community spirit

Dress Attire: Latin Summer Elegance (Bold colors, stylish flair, and festive energy encouraged)

This event brings together friends, supporters, community leaders, and culture lovers for a night of purpose and joy. Tickets are limited — reserve yours HERE.

What: Vancouver Ballet Folklórico's Viva La Fiesta

When: Second Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm

Where: Vancouver Arts Hub,1007 East Mill Plain Boulevard

We’re excited to welcome I’m Into This Place!, a fresh new podcast by Adriana Baer that celebrates the vibrant arts and culture of Clark County. Each episode explores the voices shaping our creative community—featuring conversations with artists, nonprofit leaders, local business owners, and cultural visionaries. It’s an inspiring platform that deepens connection and uplifts the regional creative landscape.

Find out more HERE.

Adriana editing

Great arts events are happening this month! Click on the two below to find out more:

Created exclusively for Clark County, VanWAInRealLife (VanWAIRL) is the go-to calendar that explores everything our community has to offer. Click the calendar icon below to see all events near you, and remember to post your events, too!

Artstra is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting and serving the community through the power of the arts. Artstra and its volunteer board of directors support all forms of art—music, theater, dance, literary, visual, and media art—and work to ensure that art experiences are inclusive of individuals of all ages and backgrounds. 

ARTS brief is designed to intrigue you while sharing useful information, events, happenings, and current news related to arts growth in our region. Good news is worth sharing: If you love what you see here, please forward this to your friends and encourage them to join our email list and subscribe.