Community Briefs

Camas student-artists to host show at Second Story Gallery

The Second Story Gallery at the Camas Public Library will host art and performances by Camas High School Integrated Arts and Academics (IAA) program students in June. An artist’s reception and special performance will be held Friday, June 7, at the gallery, during the First Friday festivities in downtown Camas.

“The opportunity for student artists and actors to collaborate is rare, and these Integrated Arts & Academics students were passionate about their chosen ‘spine’ or underlying theme for their work,” said Integrated Arts & Academics program leader Gina Mariotti Shapard.

The unifying theme of the collaboration, “Changing Perspectives,” is about students’ evolving perspectives from childhood to where they are now and how they are influenced by their environment, family, school, peers and culture.

Mariotti Shapard said the students concluded through their discussions that everyone has underlying similarities and that our society needs acceptance and the understanding gained through knowing each other more deeply.

After deciding on their theme, the visual artists created paintings, drawings, altered books and sculptures, which will be exhibited in the gallery this month. With the subject in mind, the actors participated in a residency led by Heather Kahl, theatre director at Riverside Performing Arts. They devised their original piece, “Field Trip Friday,” to connect with the visual art in the gallery. They will perform it interactively with visitors who want to participate during the opening reception, at one of the three intervals of 5:15, 6:15 or 7:15 pm. The free performances run approximately 30 minutes and will begin inside the library’s front door where student actors will gather their participants. For those who prefer to be on their own, they will be able to visit the gallery and the refreshment table as usual during the opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m., June 7.

“Showing and performing their art publicly at Second Story Gallery is a lifetime opportunity for these young artists,” Mariotti Shapard said. “I am heartened by their courage and willingness to be vulnerable with their art.”

The Integrated Arts & Academics program in Camas High School includes students in grades nine to 12, who take select academic classes in which the visual and performing arts are integrated for deeper understanding. The program focuses on creativity, critical-thinking and community.

Camas choirs members perform at Carnegie Hall

Over Memorial Day weekend, 15 members of the Camas-based St. John’s Presbyterian Church choir performed in Isaac Stern Auditorium at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City for the “Immortal Invisible: The Music of Pepper Choplin and Mary McDonald” concert. The members joined with the Distinguished Concert International Singers, which was made up of 250 choir members from across the United States.

St. John’s was the only group represented from the West Coast. They performed under the instruction of Maestro Jonathan Griffith, artist director and primary conductor Distinguished Concert International Singers, New York. They performed seven pieces composed by Mary McDonald, who was the composer in residence and piano accompanist. The concert also included the World Premiere of Mary McDonald’s piece “This Is The Dream,” which was written specifically for her debut at Carnegie Hall.

The opportunity came about due to the fact that St. John’s, under the leadership of conductor Angela Tsai, had performed several of Mary McDonald’s pieces which were on their Choir YouTube page. The invitation letter received over a year ago, states: “The St. John’s Presbyterian Church Choir received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers as well as the exceptional quality of their audition recording.”

In addition to the performance, the members spent 10 hours in rehearsal while in New York City. In preparation for the concert, the group rehearsed for about six months before their trip.

Soroptimists award $21,0000 in scholarships to Camas-Washougal women

On May 21, the Soroptimist International of Camas-Washougal awarded $21,000 in scholarships to seven local women at their annual awards reception, held at the Columbia Ridge Assisted Living center in Washougal.

The guests received an introduction from SICW President Jaci Margeson, followed by speeches by Camas Mayor Shannon Turk and Washougal Mayor Molly Coston.

Wendi Thornber, a past award winner, also spoke at the May 21 event. Thornber shared her experience of having been a homeless mother of three children for two years and thanked SICW for her scholarship award, saying the money enabled her to pursue her dream of receiving a college education and the ability to provide a home for herself and her children. Thornber graduated from Clark College at the top of her class with a double major and now works at PeaceHealth.

Acts Church to move to Vancouver

Acts Church Camas has recently merged with Living Word Fellowship in Vancouver and will be moving into the Living Word facilities at 5621 N.E. 78th St., which are currently being renovated and expanded.