Submitted by Rene Carroll
The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA) is welcoming back artists and art lovers for their sixth annual Washougal Art Festival. The event will be held Saturday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main Street, Washougal and feature nearly 20 professional local and regional artists.
“We are delighted to have our festival back in person this year after holding it online last summer due to COVID safety protocols,” said Joyce Lindsay, WACA co-president. “Many artists had time during the pandemic to create and we believe there is pent up demand from our local art lovers to bring some beautiful new works into their lives. There is so much excitement already building around the festival. It’s going to be great!”
For a preview of artists and their work, visit the WACA website. Artists are Linda Andrews-Riggs, water color; Eric Berlin, porcelain jewelry; Shirley Bishop, fused glass: Jean Blatner, watercolor and acrylic; Chrissie Forbes, found art and oils; Kayla Rae Friedrichsmeyer, watercolor and ink; Suzanne Grover, pen and colored pencil; Charlene Hale, fused glass; Brenda Lindstrom, oil; Beck Lipp, woodworking; Toni McCarthy, jewelry, Diane Moeglein, fused glass; Liz Pike, oil; Spike Palmer, oil; Karen Roule, silver jewelry; Hiroko Stumpf, watercolor and acrylic; Cyndee Starr, mixed media; Barbara Wright, water color, ink and pencil; and Tom West, acrylic.
The work of local artist Anni Furniss was used as the image for the 2021 Washougal Art Festival poster and advertising. The piece is called “Love Grows Here” and was inspired by nature walks with her husband, John, and the beautiful landscape in the area.
“Each year our festival committee seeks out a work of art that is ‘Washougal-inspired’ and we are thrilled that Anni would share her work with us,” said Rene Carroll, WACA board member. “We love how this image evokes happiness and nature.” A limited number of signed 2021 WAF posters will be available for purchase at the festival for a $20 donation. Furness’ work can be seen on her website.
Once again this year there will be a raffle and silent auction for works of art donated by participating artists. “A goal of the festival is to raise funds to bring more public art to our city,” explained Chuck Carpenter, WACA board member. “The raffle and silent auction is one way we do that. We appreciate the generosity of our festival artists for their donations and the participation of festival attendees to purchase tickets and bid generously on these wonderful items.”
While in Washougal, visitors are encouraged to discover works of public art using the WACA art map, which provides locations, artists name and the year for more than 40 installations around town. Maps will be available on the raffle table at the festival.
WACA Board Members and Festival Committee members working alongside Lindsay, Carroll and Carpenter are Janice Ferguson, Jim Cooper, Kelli Rule, Susan Warford and Michelle Wagner. The Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Washougal Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.
“Our past festivals have been such a success for us, our artists, and the community that we are excited to host the event again,” Lindsay said. “We are pleased to provide accessibility to original art in such a fun, festival environment.”
