Washougal Art and Music Festival returns Saturday

Susan Fronckowiak’s two young children enjoyed the playhouse their father built for them on the family’s rural Washougal property after they relocated to Clark County in the late 2000s, but naturally grew out of it as they got older.

As a result, the treehouse sat mostly empty — until Fronckowiak decided to resume her art career after putting it on hiatus to focus on parenting and other endeavors.

“When I got (back) into art, I made (the treehouse) into my art studio,” she said. “I literally have a treehouse on my property that is my studio. It’s got a view of the Washougal River valley, and it’s quiet, and I’m literally up next to pine trees, where I get my inspiration.”

Fronckowiak, the owner of the appropriately named Treehouse Art Studio, and 25 other artists will participate in the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance’s (WACA) Eighth annual Washougal Art and Music Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., Washougal.

“I moved to the community 15-plus years ago and got into art again after taking a big break,” Fronckowiak said. “I started researching (artists) in the area and making connections, and people have been welcoming me with open arms, giving me hints and tips, and really bringing me in. I just think that’s something that really makes our community special.”

The “vibrant festival … promises a day filled with artistic expression, live music, and family-friendly activities,” according to WACA’s news release.

“We are excited to bring together artists, musicians and the community for a day of celebration and creativity,” said festival chair Janice Ferguson. “The Washougal Art and Music Festival is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to experience the arts in a fun and engaging way.”

The free, all-ages event will feature a variety of art styles, including oil and acrylics, pottery, fiber arts, photography, lapidary, watercolor, mixed media and jewelry.

Artists taking part in the 2024 festival include: Cici Artemisia (acrylic, oil), James Aul (pottery), Shirley Bishop (glass), Jean Blatner (mixed media), Chris Briggs (photography), Richard Britschgi (lapidary art), Barbara Bureker (jewelry), Heidi Cardoza (wildlife photography), Tamara Dinius (mixed media), Leslie Anne Ezelle (fiber arts), Connie Ford (fiber, multimedia), Fronckowiak (acrylic), Jeff Gracz (photography), Jessica Julian (book illustrations), Sandy Moore (fabric), Jason Payton (engravings, signs, woodwork), Peg Peppler (twisted wire trees), John Reylea (plywood sculptures), Annette Ruckert and Robert Meichtry (jewelry), Masami Scorvelciu (ceramics), Tina Stauss (acrylic, fiber), Hiroko Stumpf (watercolor, acrylic), Amanda Thayer (jewelry), Tom West (acrylic) and Regina Westmoreland (mixed media).

For the second consecutive year, musical accompaniment will be added by the Washougal Songcraft Festival, featuring singer-songwriters Jim Warford, Owen Kortz, Doug Shafer, Sunny Pache, Brenna Larsen and Oh Brother from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This collaboration highlights the rich musical talent in our community and ensures an enjoyable experience for all music lovers,” according to WACA.

The festival also will feature Washougal residents John and Anni Furniss, selling their recently released book, “The Blind Woodsman,” and some of their art creations; Washougal resident Susan Dingle, who was named Clark County’s Poet Laureate in March 2024; the Northwest Independent Writers Association; the East County Citizens Alliance; Friends of the Washougal Library and Fort Vancouver Regional Library; and the Vancouver Walking Club.

WACA also encourages visitors to discover works of public art by using its online map at washougalarts.org/local-art.

Maps will also be available at the festival.

For more information, visit washougalarts.org/washougal-art-festival.

‘Like some people need coffee, I need nature’

Fronckowiak, 49, grew up in the Puget Sound region and discovered her twin passions for art and nature at an early age.

“Going on my parents’ sailboat in the summers, I didn’t want to read books all the time, so I pulled out a sketchbook and crayons and colored pencils, and I just started to draw the landscapes,” she recalled. “I can remember sitting there wrapped up, drawing these beautiful sunsets. That was part of my childhood.”

As a teenager, she became interested in pottery and drawing, and did a bit of painting and photography when she was in her 20s.

“I’ve always dabbled in the arts,” she said. “I took that big break when I became a mom. My kids are 12 and 15 now, so I’ve gotten back into photography and acrylic painting. It’s been a long time.”

Fronckowiak’s artwork — mostly acrylic landscapes on wood and canvas, along with photography, prints and “hat paintings” — is heavily influenced by the outdoors, which she says is “a huge part of (her) life.”

She regularly a variety of outdoor activities, and is especially drawn to skiing.

“I would say like some people need coffee, I need nature,” she said. “I really feel like nature is medicine for the soul, so I draw my inspiration. I camp and ski (regularly) on Mount Hood, and sometimes (after I’m done skiing), I’ll pull out a little canvas and paint in my camper. I’ll just sit there and paint something real quick from the day.”

Fronckowiak, the owner of Evergreen Holistic Coaching in downtown Camas, donates a portion of her sales to organizations dedicated to protecting the Columbia River Gorge and the Mount Hood region.

“One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,’ and I believe that takes active participation,” she said. “Being a bystander, it just doesn’t work. I feel like we have to be involved, and I think there are so many ways we can do that. The way I’d choose to do that is by giving to organizations, and supporting and educating youth and adults.”

Fronckowiak is driven by her desire to “make the world a better place” through her art, and to make art “accessible to everybody” regardless of financial status.

“I love dropping into a painting and dropping into a place of meditation, where I just become part of the paintbrush,” she said. “I love getting into a really rhythmic groove. Tying it together with my passion for the outdoors, passion for connecting with people in the community, and giving back to the world. (Creating art) is part of that bigger tapestry.”

Fronckowiak’s art production has increased in the last year, ever since her friend Anna Norris (the co-owner of the Camas-based Norris Arts Studio and Gallery) came to her house with a canvas and asked her to paint something.

By appearing at her first-ever art show, Fronckowiak is hoping to expand her network even further, and, eventually, bring her work into local gift shops. But no matter where she goes in the future, she’s said she will definitely remember how she got there.