News Briefs for Feb. 6, 2020

Camas galleries to host art receptions for First Friday The Downtown Camas Association will host its monthly First Friday celebration throughout downtown Camas from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. The February theme is "A Chocolate Affair to Remember," and will feature chocolate treats, activities, games, crafts and prizes at local businesses and nonprofits in downtown Camas. Several Camas art galleries will host art receptions to kick off February art shows during the First Friday celebration. The Attic Gallery will feature the paintings of Camas artist Mike Smith throughout the month of February, and will host an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, at the gallery, 421 N.E. Cedar St., Camas. Smith will attend the reception, which also features wine, chocolate and music by Gary Lowry, at 5 p.m. Feb. 7. For more information, visit att icgallery.com or call 360-833-9747. The Second Story Gallery will present the nature photography of artist Karen Stuwe through February. The gallery will host an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, upstairs in the Camas Public Library. Musician Rob Lewis will perform at the event, which is free and open to the public. The "Reflections of the Pacific Northwest" show, which features scenes ranging from crashing waves to wildflower-filled meadows, will be on display at Second Story through Feb. 29, during regular library hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, call 360-834-4692 or visit second storygallery.net. WACA puts out 'call for artists' for annual festival The Washougal Arts & Culture Alliance (WACA) is accepting applications for its fifth annual Washougal Art Festival. The 2020 Washougal Art Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Reflection Plaza in downtown Washougal. "Our fifth year is a real achievement for us," WACA president Kelli Rule said in a news release issued by WACA. "This event keeps growing in popularity and is embraced by both artists and the community. We are excited to begin the process for this year's festival by welcoming artists' applications." The festival is open to visual artists working in all media and is intended for professional artists who are actively producing and exhibiting their work to sell. "All entries will be juried based on originality, creativity, craftsmanship and professionalism," according to the news release. "Judging will also consider the expression of a unique vision and style, and the mastery over the artist's chosen medium." Artists will selected for festival participation by a jury of local artists and gallery owners. "Participating artists love this event and have been very successful selling and gaining exposure for their work," WACA board member Janice Ferguson said in the news release. "This festival offers a fantastic opportunity for artists to display and sell their creations to enthusiastic art lovers from Washougal and beyond." There will be 25 artists chosen for the 2020 festival, which is sponsored in part by the City of Washougal Tourism Fund. The event will also include an onsite food vendor, hourly art raffles, and a children's art activity area. Festival and entry information is available for artists at washougalarts.org. The entry deadline is May 1. Historic Columbia River Highway reopens The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) reopened the Historic Columbia River Highway between Multnomah Falls and Angel's Rest Tuesday, Feb. 4, after completing repairs to a culvert damaged by a Jan. 28 landslide. ODOT reported that the culvert had been choked by slide debris and damaged sections required new parts to get the culvert properly functioning again. Port to host blood drive A blood drive event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Port of Camas-Washougal office, 24 South "A" St., Washougal. "Please join us in saving lives with a simple blood donation and enjoy breathtaking views of the Columbia River from the comfort of the Port of Camas-Washougal's board room while you donate," a post on the Port's Facebook page states. The event will benefit The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and disaster preparedness education in the United States. Call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter PortofCW to schedule an appointment.

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