‘Celebrate Art!’ in downtown Camas during September First Friday event

The Downtown Camas Association (DCA) will host an art-themed, “Celebrate Art!” September First Friday event in downtown Camas from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. 

The September First Friday activities include live music and dance performances, artist demonstrations, a ribbon-cutting for the new Camas Bike and Sport location at 303 N.E. Sixth St., plein air painting, art receptions, games and prizes, collaborative art and after-hours shopping.

The First Friday festivities will feature a new attraction on Sept. 2, called “From Art to Finish,” in which local artists will begin a work of art and event goers will be invited to add their own artistic touches to the pieces throughout the evening. Local artists include Kathy Marty of Windy Hill Weavers, who will be bringing her mini loom and encouraging people to try artful weaving for themselves; Tamra Sheline, who will focus on creating memorable art while bringing smiles to others; Spike Palmer, who will focus on recognizable city landmarks, including the Liberty Theatre and the Little Bronze Girl sculpture. 

The Attic Gallery will show the finished “From Art to Finish” pieces in the gallery’s soon-to-open expansion space at 340 N.E. Fourth Ave.

Visitors can watch artists paint their surroundings in “plein air” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, throughout downtown.

Art receptions will be held at the Attic Gallery at 421 N.E. Cedar St.; the Second Story Gallery, located on the second floor of the Camas Public Library at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave.; and the Camas Gallery at 408 N.E. Fourth Ave. 

Other First Friday activities include a “Choose Your Favorite Art” passport game for all ages, with passports and activity lists available at the DCA table inside Journey Church (304 N.E. Fourth Ave.); a downtown Camas mural tour; youth dance performances by Vega Camas at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. in front of the Liberty Theatre, children’s arts and crafts at LiveWell Camas (417 N.E. Birch St.), live outdoor music at Mesa (228 N.E. Fourth Ave.). 

“Art is such an important facet of our thriving community in Downtown Camas,” said Jan Carter, the DCA’s event coordinator. “We are excited to bring people together to celebrate art in all its forms, as well as encouraging them to discover the artist within themselves.” 

The plein air part of the event is sponsored by Camas Gallery and the other art activities are hosted by the Downtown Camas Association and downtown merchants.

For all the information, visit downtowncamas.com/event/celebrate-art or facebook.com/camasfirstfriday.