Submitted by Rene’ Carroll
Excitement is building as the 2018 Washougal Art Festival draws nearer. Presented by Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA), the event features 26 professional regional artists and will be held Saturday, August 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main Street, Washougal.
“We are expecting another large turnout at this year’s festival,” said Janice Ferguson, WACA President. “Now in our third year, we have artists and community members who look forward to this annual event. We love transforming Washougal’s Reflection Plaza into a gallery of fine works of art.”
Wilson Cady, local birding enthusiast and artist, created the artwork that was used for the 2018 Washougal Art Festival poster and advertising. “Wilson will be at the festival and plans to work on his current piece,” said Ferguson. “He is looking forward to chatting with people about his process and his inspiration.” A limited number of signed 2018, 2017 and 2016 posters will be available for purchase at the festival for a $20 donation each.
Event proceeds will bring more public art to Washougal. This year’s festival will help fund a mural inspired by Washougal matriarch, Princess White Wing (Betsy Ough) created by renown Native American artist, Toma Villa. The piece will be created for the outside wall of the Washougal Public Library.
For a preview of artists selected to participate in this year’s event, visit the WACA website at www.WashougalArts.org. They are Linda Andrew-Riggs, water color; Kathy Beckman, acrylic on canvas; Eric Berlin, handcrafted animal porcelain jewelry; Heidi Curley, mixed media; Marilyn Estenes, textile creations and photography; Katy Fenley, handcrafted sterling silver jewelry; Chrissie Forbes, found object robot art; Anni Furniss, mixed media painting; John Furniss, wood; Vickie Green, fused glass; Cheryl Hazen, recycled mosaics; Glo Lamden-Mccollough, acrylic on canvas; Kobie Moore, painted acrylic, mixed media; Toni McCarthy, jewelry; Liz Pike, oils; John Reylea, acrylic on reclaimed wood; Christine Rice, block printing print making; Karen Reule, sterling and silver filigree jewelry; Ena Shipman, ceramics and handcrafted jewelry; Gary Suda, high fire ceramic pottery; Cyndee Starr, mixed media; Tamra Sheline, watercolor on yupo (plastic); Kiri Torre, one-of-a-kind jewelry design; Barbara Wright, watercolor, ink, colored pencil, graphite; and Beck Lipp, wood.
The festival is family-friendly and features The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party who will be offering free, fun, artistic projects for children. Another popular element of the festival is the raffle for works of art donated by participating artists. Tickets are $5 each and visitors choose the work of art they would like the chance to win. Raffle winners do not need to be present to win and will be given a phone call but must be available to pick up their prize by the end of the day.
New at the festival this year will be food available for purchase at the plaza. Local restaurant, Alex Smokehouse, will be serving delicious barbeque meals and more.
While in Washougal, visitors are encouraged to discover works of public art using the WACA art map http://washougalarts.org/local-art/ which provides locations, artists name and the year for more than 30 installations around town. Maps will be available at the raffle table.
WACA Board Members and Festival Committee members working alongside Ferguson, are Chuck Carpenter, Joyce Lindsay, Rene Carroll, Suzanne Grover, Kelli Rule, Susan Warford and Jim Cooper.
The Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Washougal Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. Other event sponsors include The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party, Washougal Coffee Company and Camas Gallery.
