Author: Maureen Andrade

Artists are full of great ideas. It’s sort of what we’re known for. But sometimes an artist’s good idea becomes a generative vision. Local artist and retired teacher Russell Ford has a vision of traveling to Africa this year to teach in a new program for empowering girls through art. No one can explain his […]

Poetry is a pure religion for many writers and readers. Poets use images, rhythm, and carefully selected vocabulary words to express ideas that would take other types of writers hundreds or thousands of words to express. It is a spare and disciplined art form, and one that has always inspired me. I respect poets doubly […]

Arts of Clark County founding member Laurel Whitehurst connected with Winter Hospitality Overflow last year. She offered to visit St. Andrews Church on Gher, where WHO operates during the cold season, once a week and provide arts and crafts for families at the shelter. This year she and a few other volunteers are helping out […]

It’s that time of the month again- First Friday Artwalk in the Vancouver Arts District. Local galleries made their lists and checked them twice and hung shows with collectible and gift-able art by a variety of local artists. Joining in the festivities are also businesses like Eric Runyan Jewelers, Boomerang Coffee House, Cellar 55 and […]

Last week I attended a forum for New Community Visions for the Arts hosted by Americans for the Arts. Those who listen to National Public Radio might recognize Americans for the Arts as donors mentioned between segments. From my assigned reading for the event I learned this organization is over fifty years old and was […]

Clark County is home to very talented young artists, and singer Jeffrey Graham is one example.  Graham attended the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, including two years of choir. He also took a few years of piano lessons, and then self-taught guitar. With the goal of making a career in music as a performer, […]

The very busy Vancouver Downtown Association decided to do a fresh public art piece many months ago. The process of developing and implementing a project like this takes a commitment from employees, volunteers, artists, and donors. From concept to construction to installation, it is a loving labor- a gift from one group of people to […]

Work, relationships, and the general wear and tear of our daily schedules create a need to do something that recharges our emotional batteries. Regardless of our skill levels or the types of arts and crafts we enjoy, many of us benefit from a creative outlet. For five years, I have invited a small group of […]

There are many moments I’ve had as an artist, volunteer, and director in the local arts scene that have touched my heart. For example, when I was sitting the gallery at North Bank Artists over a decade ago, I watched as my older son, then two years old, took the hand of a guest and […]

The Autumn Art Talk with Artist Trust Artist at Large Erin Dengerink is indeed Thursday, but it begins at 6pm rather than 5:30 at North Bank Artists Gallery. There will be an hour of speaking following by a half hour artist mixer, for folks to chat with each other and the presenter and address any […]