Thank you again to everyone who supported Arts of Clark County during Give More 24! The annual fundraising campaign created by the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington makes it possible for people and businesses to make a difference by giving monetary support to participating nonprofits serving Southwest Washington in meaningful ways. 

Thanks to your generous support, Arts of Clark County raised nearly $7,800. The money exceeded our expectations. We are thrilled to continue moving forward with our mission to promote, encourage, and enhance creative expression and artistic opportunities in Clark County and Southwest Washington. Our projects and future vision reinforce art as a vital foundation for an economically thriving city that enhances our livability while nourishing our souls. 

The money received through  Give More 24! will help to sustain our annual Open Studios tour program and Poetry Moves, among others. Other plans include expanding our programming into more advocacy work. We are also developing an initiative to help build a stronger arts infrastructure into our community. This includes an arts center and facilitating more arts education for children. Thanks to your support, our work will continue to bring the power of art to the fore by showing the value art gives to our communities and to our individual lives. Please look forward to learning more details about our projects soon.

Mark your calendars for the annual Open Studios tour happening Saturday and Sunday November 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free self-guided tour is a great chance to view the works of 50 local artists in their studios while also learning the artistic process and inspiration behind their work. This is also an opportunity to purchase diverse works of art specifically created or made available for this event.  

Guidebooks are available at the business locations of our many generous sponsors and also online. Please visit the Open Studios website for more information and details. The attractive and user-friendly guidebooks will also be available at the Open Studios Preview Exhibit and Artists' Reception on Friday, Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Esther Short Building at 610 Esther Street in Vancouver. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Clark County artists and the community during this family-friendly event!

More about the Clark County Open Studios tour

Donated arts supplies are needed for Vancouver's Winter Hospitality Overflow shelters. The shelters offer basic needs to our homeless, and the donated arts supplies offer a chance for children to experience joy through creative play. The volunteer arts supplies program is part of the ongoing effort to ensure every child benefits from arts education. Welcomed supplies include crayons, tablets, paper, coloring books, stickers, and paints - just about anything that could make a young imagination shine. Shipyard Millie's Vintage store in downtown Vancouver is now accepting your donations.

Celebrate a mother and daughter exhibit at Attic Gallery in Camas. First Friday opening reception runs Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Expect wine, light refreshments, and music by Bret Malmquist. Daughter Melissa followed in her mother's footsteps to become an artist. Her works feature a unique style of paintings, murals, sculpture, and ceramics. Marilyn's works will feature a series of watercolors that capture light and changing seasons.

421 Cedar St., Camas

The public is invited to an opening reception Friday, Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to celebrate poetry readings reflecting the theme of "Political Art" throughout the evening. Readers include Edee Lemonier, Christopher Luna, Toni Lumbrazo Luna, Livia Montana, Herb Stokes, and Desiree Wright. Please note that the political views in this year's content are not a reflection of North Bank or its Board. Each individual artist submitted works, which may or may not contain individual political views.

1005 Main St., Vancouver

The Second Story Gallery upstairs in the Camas Public Library is featuring fiber art with a colorful theme presented by the Art Quilt Group. The group embraces 25 members drawn from Clark County and Portland. The fiber artists will be on hand for the Oct. 7 First Friday reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Expect live music from Brad Jensen. The show itself takes the form of wall hangings for the exception of one sculptured chair. "Red & Black Attack" is an innovative project that pushed each artist outside of their comfort zones in order to try new and interesting creative techniques.

624 NE Fourth Ave., Camas

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra announces its return in an all-piano program at Kiggins Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. Expect to enjoy listening to some of the greatest masterworks from piano and symphonic repertoire, including works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Rachmininoff, and Prokofiev. French jazz pianist Claude Bolling is also among the listening highlights.

Kiggins Theatre

1011 Main St, Vancouver

Italian short films are on tap during Niche Wine Bar's sixth anniversary celebration at Vancouver's historic Kiggins Theatre Sunday, October 16 at 6 p.m. Your $10 ticket includes a special commemorative anniversary wine glass, light appetizers, and of course, the films. Only 200 tickets are available now at Niche. The Italian films start at 7 p.m. 

Kiggins Theater

1011 Main St., Vancouver