VANtastic Art and Music Fest Sept 4th
by Cole Goodwin
A VANtastic Art and Music Fest will occur on the grounds at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum located at 990 SW Rock Creek Dr. Stevenson, WA on Sunday September 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The outdoor event is free for the local community and for Community Art Studio of Skamania (CASS) supporters.
Museum charges still apply inside the museum.
The CASS Mobile Art program is VANtastic. Photo Credit: CASS
CASS, a registered nonprofit that provides supportive opportunities for individuals and families living in and around Skamania County to express themselves and connect with others through experiences of art-making, skill-sharing, and dialogue, will provide free all ages art activities at the event.
“At Community Art Studio of Skamania, we believe that EVERYONE is an artist and that when we make art together we change our world for the better, one creation at a time. We believe that the processes involved in creative self-expression are inherently therapeutic and ultimately empowering for people and the neighborhoods in which they live.”
CASS Mobile Art is fun for all ages. Photo Credit: CASS
There will be a variety of events occurring throughout the day.
There will be a Ribbon Cutting from The Skamania County Chamber of Commerce at 11 a.m.
Attendees can bring their own food or enjoy a lunch of hot dogs, chips, and soda at 12:30 p.m.
There will be free live music, free art activities for all ages, some local vendors selling their creations and opportunities to donate to CASS Mobile Art for further community arts programming.
There will be some vendors of handmade items, CASS Merchandise and a lunch of hot dogs, chips and soda.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and hang out for the entire event or just come for a while.
The event is also a fundraiser that will include a raffle, several live auction items and opportunities to donate to further the supplies and services that CASS has to offer.
“The studio's mission is to promote positive self-identities, strengthen and build relationships, and inspire community-driven action by providing an inclusive, non-judgmental outlet for meaningful creative social interaction,” reads the CASS website.
CASS’s art supplies, art kits, and pop-up art-making opportunities are offered at no, or low cost in order to ensure that all members of the community, including those who are most marginalized, can take part.
CASS also puts an eye on sustainability by using mostly recycled, repurposed, and donated supplies.
Can’t attend but still interested in free art supplies?
Every 1st Saturday of the month CASS hands out free art kits and art supplies at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum from 12:00 to 2 p.m. The first Saturday of the month is also a FREE entrance day to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum for Skamania County Residents.
However, CASS will not have the event on Saturday, September 3, 2022 because they will be busy preparing for the Sunday event.
For more information about upcoming CASS events and available supplies click here.
Art and music lovers note:
Love art, music and the Gorge?
You can make a whole weekend of art and music if you want!
The elusive Hood River based fine artist Craig Luster, who has been making art in the Gorge for over forty years, will host an art and jazz show featuring his latest body of work inspired by the #MeToo movement at Old St. Peter’s Landmark at 405 Lincoln St on September 2nd and 3rd from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.
On Friday, at 7 p.m. Luster’s good friend Victor Johnson will play a set to accompany the show and on Saturday at 7 p.m. a Jazz Trio, consisting of renowned musicians Randy Porter on piano, Todd Strait on drums, and Dave Captein on bass will play a show to accompany the gallery. Interested?
You can read more about Luster’s show here.
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