It's now midsummer and whatever this thing is we're in, we are no longer at the beginning of it. It seems we've grown accustomed to something we don't want to grow accustomed to.
Yet we should take heart that the imagination and courage of the artist in each of us is what will fuel the optimism, hope, and creative action needed to bring us to a bright future.
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 join our email list and subscribe.
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Artstra on diversity, equity, and inclusion |
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Artstra recognizes historical and structural barriers for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and is committed to addressing disparities in artist funding, resources, and leadership opportunities within the scope of our organization’s activities. We take direct action within that scope to dismantle barriers and create new structures where BIPOC can thrive by looking at our practices through a racial equity lens.
Our aim is to foster a culture where every artist and member of our community feels valued, supported and inspired to achieve their individual and common goals. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are important, interdependent components of everyday life in the creative industry and are critical to Artstra’s mission to elevate the arts, build greater arts awareness, reward creative excellence, and expand arts accessibility. Continue reading
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Art at the Cave presents "Art of the Quarantine" |
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Art of the Quarantine, exhibiting works from approximately 100 artists, is currently on display at Art at the Cave. It can be viewed online and in person at the gallery through August 31. This exhibit explores creative output during quarantine, which for many has been a time of solitude and confinement. The call for art brought works from about 60 local artists within the first couple weeks. By the end of July, submissions were coming in from as far as southern Oregon, northern Washington, and Canada.
Pictured above are Untitled (sculpture) by Teri Elioff and Bill Leigh, and (left to right) Under this Hair by Mikayla Glosser, Danger Out My Window by Marie Wolfe, Red Impact by John Turley, and Freedom by Reilyn Sabado.
In lieu of an opening reception, the gallery encourages visitors to attend the exhibit during regular gallery hours or by appointment. Most works are available for sale, and can be purchased online or in person. Masks and social distancing are required at the gallery. Masks and hand sanitizer are available on site.
Gallery hours: Tues–Sat, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For appointment, call Sharon Svec at 618-559-9153
108 E. Evergreen, Vancouver
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Mark your calendar for 9/24: Give More 24! |
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Amplify the arts!
Please mark your calendar, set an alert, watch your email, and follow social media for southwest Washington's largest day of giving. Give More 24! amplifies the work of local nonprofits by tapping the generosity of the greater community. This year it's even more important to help in any way you can.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, sadly we had to cancel both our annual summer fundraiser and our Open Studios tour. But Artstra is still here and need your help in advocating for the arts in our community.
Our Poetry Moves program is moving ahead with poets offering poems for our first Poetry Moves Invitational with each poet receiving a small honorarium. Our work continues, And with everyone helping out in small ways, we can keep our community art friendly and arts proud!
Thanks so much for all your support.
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A loving creative partnership
Airing last month on Oregon Public Broadcasting's Art Beat was the truly uplifting story of Washougal artists John and Anni Furniss. Many of you longtime southwest Washington residents may be familiar with this remarkable couple. But here is the story you may not have heard, a video snapshot of an inspiring creative partnership.
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A shout out to Jill Mayberg for having her wonderful art in the windows of WellHaven Pet Health at Vancouver Center at Washington and 8th St. in downtown Vancouver. Art Inside/Out is a project headed up by Artstra board members Steven Baer and Kelly Neidig to place art in the windows of downtown storefronts. |
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New home for Native Arts & Cultures Foundation |
This summer the Native Arts and Culture Foundation received some welcome news. Like most arts organizations finding a permanent home is extremely challenging. And owning your building is difficult even in the best of times. Yale Union did the unusual in transferring the entire Yale Union building at 800 SE 10th Ave. in Portland to the NACF. It is exciting to think of what is now in store for them. Congratulations to all who made this happen and who support the arts in our region. Pictured above is the 2nd floor of the Yale Union Laundry Building. Photo credit: Finetooth, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Artist COVID-19 relief applications due August 15
As you may know, the City of Vancouver has allowed Artstra (through a $10,000 Culture, Arts, and Heritage Grant intended for this year's Open Studios tour) to reimburse Clark County Open Studios artists for expenses related to the cancellation. Artists currently living in Clark County and who participated in the Clark County Open Studios Tour in any of the past seven years are eligible to apply for a $500 reimbursement. Awards will be made based upon demonstrated financial need.The deadline to apply is August 15. Read more and apply.
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Take a deep dive in the Artstra website |
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We've added five web pages under a new navigation area, "History" under "About Artstra." |
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Artist resources during the COVID-19 pandemic |
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Our all-volunteer organization works toward building greater arts awareness, rewarding creative excellence, and expanding arts accessibility. We are working to facilitate long-term arts development for Southwest Washington. We envision a stronger arts infrastructure that includes an art center and a community-focused performing arts facility.
Your support will help to make this vision a reality. Artstra's current programs include our annual Clark County Open Studios Tour and Poetry Moves, a collaborative effort that features the words of local poets on C-Tran buses. Both of these programs have already demonstrated the power of art in our lives to connect us, transform us, and fuel the economy.
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Five ways to support the cause |
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1- Donate
2- Declutter
Give useable items to Nifty and Thrifty at 6607 E. Mill Plain Blvd. And when those items sell, the money is split 50/50 with participating nonprofits. Just let them know your items are donated to benefit Artstra.
3- Shop
Link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Artstra using our code #84120. Just by using your rewards card number, and at no cost to you, every time you shop you'll help Artstra earn a quarterly donation from Fred Meyer.
4- Shop online
5- Volunteer
Artstra is an all-volunteer organization. If you have specialized skills, especially in fundraising, outreach and marketing, we'd love to talk with you.
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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 artsbrief@artstra.org, no later than the 25th 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 Artstra. We do not accept materials that primarily have a commercial objective.
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About Artstra
Artstra is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization advocating for the arts in Clark County and southwest Washington. We envision a vibrant arts economy in our region, north of the Columbia River, with public/private investments and facilities that sustain artists and enrich community. Our mission is to elevate the arts, build greater arts awareness, reward creative excellence, and expand arts accessibility.
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