September 24, 2026 8:02 am
Clark County, Health, Life 
Eliot Reid, from left, laughs Sept. 3 while talking with Gentle Strength Project founder David Bradley as Prince Polk paints during a Gentle Strength Project paint night at Vancouver Community Library. The Gentle Strength Project promotes friendships between men and encourages discussing mental heath. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
Gentle Strength Project leader David Bradley, left, reaches for a binder while other attendees chat and paint Sept. 3 during a Gentle Strength Project paint night at Vancouver Community Library. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
Gentle Strength Project leader David Bradley paints Sept. 3 during a Gentle Strength Project paint night at Vancouver Community Library. The Gentle Strength Project promotes friendships between men and encourages discussing mental heath. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
Gentle Strength Project leader David Bradley, left, laughs Sept. 3 during a Gentle Strength Project paint night at Vancouver Community Library. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
Vincent Pia of Vancouver paints Sept. 3, during a Gentle Strength Project paint night at Vancouver Community Library. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
An evening painting with the boys and talking about feelings might not seem like the most manly thing to some. But for David Bradley of Vancouver, that’s the whole point.
Earlier this year, Bradley created the Gentle Strength Project, a monthly gathering for Clark County men to come together to push back against stereotypes of what it means to be “a man,” help men form friendships and open up dialogues about mental health.
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