Art is in the air for Camas First Friday

Local artists will set up their easels in downtown Camas this Friday for the annual “plein air” art event that precedes the Downtown Camas Association’s (DCA) September First Friday festivities.

The artists will be painting outdoors throughout downtown Camas from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, capturing the buildings, people, flowers and trees that give downtown Camas its “small town” feel.

“‘Plein air’ (French for open air) painting has been a beloved tradition on September First Friday for over a decade,” the DCA noted in its First Friday news release. “The ‘plein air’ style of painting gained popularity in France in the 1870s and was vital to the impressionist art movement.”

Visitors to downtown Camas on Friday are encouraged to peruse the plein air artwork that will be set up outside Gallery 408 and RedDoor Gallery in downtown Camas following the live-painting event, and vote for their favorite pieces.

The free plein air event is open to artists of all skill levels and ages. To participate, fill out the form at tinyurl.com/334d3np7 by 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. Artists must bring their own supplies, including an easel and a chair. There will be People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice awards announced during the Camas First Friday celebration, which takes place throughout downtown Camas from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, following the plein air painting.

Fittingly, the theme of this month’s First Friday is “Celebrate Art!” and the DCA has planned several art-themed activities, including a “Choose Your Favorite Art” passport activity at participating merchants with a chance to win donated prize baskets; a mural tour activity, which also has a chance to win a prize; youth dance performances in front of the Liberty Theatre, courtesy of Virtuosity Dance Studios; a collaborative doodle mural taking place inside Journey Church at 304 N.E. Fourth Ave.; and rock painting with artist volunteer Melissa Guard in front of 4Ever Growing Kids at 440 N.E. Fourth Ave.

The Second Story Gallery, located on the second floor of the Camas Public Library, will host an art opening and reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday to celebrate the opening of its monthlong Southwest Washington Watercolor Society art show. Gallery 408, located at 408 N.E. Fourth Ave., will host a new “Bloom Out Loud” art exhibit and host an artist talk at 6 p.m. with flower farmer and abstract artist Cindy Ingram. RedDoor Gallery, at 411 N.E. Dallas St., will host a live painting demonstration and serve refreshments during the First Friday festivities. Juxtaposition, located at 425 N.E. Fourth Ave., will host a painting competition and silent auction benefiting Enspire Arts.

“We’re so excited to continue the tradition of ‘plein air’ at First Friday,” Leah Nichelson, the DCA’s event manager, stated in a news release. “Art plays such a pivotal role within a community, and we’re looking forward to coming together and celebrating it. We want everyone to feel like they can be a part. It’s a day full of beauty, fun, shopping, dining, and connection.”

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