Camas’ Second Story Gallery to spotlight local student artists this summer

When the Second Story Gallery inside Camas’ public library revived its monthly exhibitions in July 2022, following a more than two-year closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, the gallery focused on local student artists with a two-month “Stepping Out” art show featuring Camas and Hayes Freedom high school artists.

This summer, the gallery will again shine a spotlight on local students with two youth-focused art exhibitions.

The first, described as “a vibrant collection of high school student artwork,” will feature artwork by Camas High, Hayes Freedom and Discovery high school students, and will run through the month of July.

The gallery will host an art reception for the high school art showcase during the Downtown Camas Association’s July First Friday festivities, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 5, at the gallery, located on the second floor of the Camas Public Library, located at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., in downtown Camas.

According to a news release, “visitors can expect to see a diverse range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media.”

The second show, which is set to run Aug. 1-31, with an opening reception slated for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, will focus on younger Camas student artists.

“Following the high school exhibit, in August, the gallery will feature an equally impressive collection from (Camas) middle school students at Liberty, Odyssey and Skyridge middle schools,” according to the library’s news release. “This showcase provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the budding talents of younger artists and encourages their continued artistic growth.”

Camas Public Library Director Connie Urquhart encouraged community members to visit the gallery during the months of July and August.

“We invite the community to come and support our local youth, marvel at their artistic achievements and be inspired by the future of the arts in Camas,” Urquhart said.

Following the student art exhibits this summer, Second Story Gallery will feature artwork by Southwest Washington Watercolor Society artists during the months of September and October, and will showcase Northwest Oil Painters Guild artwork during the months of November and December.

For more information, visit camaspl.org/ssg.

Poker tour, game night return for ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed July First Friday

The Downtown Camas Association (DCA) will host its 18th annual First Friday Camas Poker Tour and Game Night, sponsored by Camas Antiques, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 5, throughout downtown Camas.

The “Alice in Wonderland” themed First Friday celebration also will feature after-hours shopping and dining, two new business ribbon-cuttings and a wide variety of family friendly activities.

“Dress in your most whimsical Alice in Wonderland costume and join us for this fun evening of games, treats, crafts and shopping,” Jan Carter, the DCA’s volunteer coordinator, encouraged community members. “We’re thrilled to partner with Camas Antiques again this year and are so grateful for their participation.

The Camas Poker Tour begins at the DCA tables inside Journey Church, at 304 N.E. Fourth Ave., where participants will receive their Poker Tour and Game Night passport. The game asks visitors to answer “Alice in Wonderland” themed trivia questions inside participating merchants throughout downtown Camas. To receive cards for the poker game, visitors must return their passports to the DCA table inside Journey Church. The more trivia questions participants have answered on the passport, the more poker cards they will receive. Participants can then bring their poker cards to Camas Antiques before 8 p.m. to see their final poker hand. Participants with the top five highest poker hands will win prizes donated by downtown Camas businesses.

Other July First Friday activities will include:

• “Alice in Wonderland” themed games at LiveWell Camas (417 N.E. Birch St.) and throughout downtown Camas;

• Games and family friendly activities inside Journey Church;

• Ribbon-cutting celebrations at Camas Cheese Co., a new cheese shop in downtown Camas located at 231 N.E. Fourth Ave., and at Coventry Gardens of London, previously located on Third Avenue and Everett Street, now located at 321 N.E. Fourth Ave., in the heart of downtown Camas. The Camas Cheese Co. ribbon-cutting will take place at 5 p.m. and the Coventry Gardens of London ribbon-cutting is set for 5:30 p.m.

• Art receptions and art exhibition openings at Attic Gallery (421 N.E. Cedar St.), Gallery 408 (408 N.E. Fourth Ave.), Juxtaposition (425 N.E. Fourth Ave.), RedDoor Gallery (411 N.E. Dallas St.), and Second Story Gallery inside the Camas Public Library (625 N.E. Fourth Ave.); and

• Live music and outdoor dining at Nuestra Mesa, located at 228 N.E. Fourth Ave.

For more information about the DCA or its First Friday events, visit downtowncamas.com or facebook.com/camasfirstfriday.