Avalon Art Gallery and Studio has inhabited a light-filled, two-story space in the live-work-shop development Battle Ground Village since last May. Complete with a top floor classroom and wrought-iron upper balcony, Avalon has fashioned itself a place to gather and support culture in North County. Paulette Wanless Smith and her husband and silent partner Bruce Smith came out of retirement to bring more life to an already flourishing local arts community. However, with the close of the Cupola Gallery in April of 2010, North County artists were facing a venue shortage.
Wanless Smith, herself a hobby potter, has been involved with the Battle Ground Art Alliance for 10 years and is the current president. So finding a passel of unique local artists came easy, pulling from the Ridgefield Art Association and the Northwest Oil Painters Guild, as well as the BGAA and others.
The 1500-square-foot space is a showcase of Northwest artists, and many mediums are unusual such as Bob Cossman’s leather arts. More than two dozen artists are represented in the gallery, and most live in Clark County, but others are based around the region, hailing from Whidbey Island, Gig Harbor and Lake Oswego, Ore. Current and recent artists include Austin Barton (bronze sculpture), Tina Hunter (mosaic), Diane Ringer (gourds and paper), Ann Cavanaugh (fused glass) and Jim Gola (oil).
In this economy, a proprietor has to have a few tricks up her sleeve to make a go of a new art gallery in a small community. Wanless Smith, fortunately, has more than a few. Each artist who shows in the gallery pays $30 per month to be there, and the gallery takes a modest 30 percent commission on top. Avalon also has two classroom spaces for use by local instructors who pay a fee to teach in the space.
On one wall is a collection of artists who offer portraits on commission. And custom framing by Vancouver’s Aurora Gallery is available by appointment in the upstairs space. Artists who are framing their own work get 20 percent off on framing. The gallery is also available for meeting and event rental. Another revenue generator are monthly events hosted in the space. Each featured artist is highlighted for two months. On the second Friday of the first month, a traditional art opening showcases the artists’ work. On the following Friday, a varying special event is on the books.
Avalon Art Gallery & Studio
Battle Ground Village
819 S.E 14th Loop, Ste. 109, Battle Ground
www.avalongalleryandstudio.com
360-687-8321
Arts Education on Fort Vancouver?
Filed Under Craft, Vancouver | 2 Comments
[From the Fort Vancouver National Trust]
The Fort Vancouver National Trust is seeking input from arts organizations, educators and artists regarding the proposed adaptive reuse of the Post Hospital as an arts education center.
The Post Hospital opened in 1905 and in 1918 aided in the recovery of more than 20,500 patients who fell ill to the Spanish Influenza that year. The building has most recently served as offices for the Army, but has been vacant since the mid-nineties. The Post Hospital is owned by the city of Vancouver, but the Fort Vancouver National Trust holds the lease for the building and is considering it as a venue for the arts and arts education.
Artists of all disciplines and interested members of the public are invited to participate in a Community Conversation about the potential use of the Post Hospital as an arts education center. Participants will take a tour of the building (scheduled in advance by appointment) on Thursday, February 10. The Community Conversation will then follow on Tuesday, February 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
During the conversation, participants will be asked to provide input on the potential uses of the space based on insights gleaned during the tour and to brainstorm with peers in a short breakout session divided into four discipline categories: Visual Arts, Performing Arts – Dance & Music, Performing Arts – Theater and Literary Arts.
Those interested in participating in this Community Conversation should schedule your tour of the Post Hospital by contacting the Fort Vancouver National Trust, 360-992-1800.
Facebook Friday Fiver winner!
Filed Under Clark County, Craft, Vancouver | Leave a Comment
Glenn Grossman of Vancouver won a free family pass worth $10 to the Clark County Historical Museum during our last Facebook Friday Fiver (Tenner? Tenor?) Thanks Susan Tissot and CCHM for such a generous gift to one of our readers!
The Clark County Historical Museum is located at 1511 Main Street in Vancouver and can be reached at 360-993-5679. Currently featured at the museum is Autumn Trout Gathering, a Celebration of Richard Brautigan, running through Jan. 30. Ongoing is Road to Equality: The struggle for women’s rights in the Northwest.
Do you know other businesses that would like to draw in customers by giving away $5 during our Facebook Friday Fiver promotion? Write on our wall.
J.
FB Friday Fiver winner!
Filed Under Craft, Devour, Vancouver | Leave a Comment
Anna Petruolo of Vancouver has won $5 at Woody’s Tacos in Vancouver Marketplace courtesy of Tula Design, the awesome designer of many of our publications here at North Bank Magazine and company! Tula Design is a regional full-service graphic design studio and a long-time supporter of business in Vancouver.
Want to bring new customers to your store? Email me at editor@northbankmag.com about participating in the FB Friday Fiver giveaway!
J
Check ‘Em Off
Filed Under A Green Life, Craft, Vancouver | Leave a Comment
The Check ‘Em Off green holiday bazaar is at noon this Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Marshall Community Center on Mcloughlin Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way just east of Uptown Village, Vancouver. The focus is on gifts that are local, handmade, reused or reusable. This one, I cannot miss.
J.
