Arts Alive! Arts Festival

Artstra, the Clark County Arts Commission, the Columbia Arts Network and the Southwest Washington Center for the Arts will hosts the Arts Alive! Festival from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Clark County Public Service Center Plaza at 1300 Franklin St. in downtown Vancouver. Admission is free.

The event will introduce the community to the creative types living in Southwest Washington. More than 20 organizations will present information alongside examples of their work and performing arts organizations will give demonstrations of their craft, including performances from Ballet Folklórico, Ora Nui Dance Studio, Cottage Dance, Metropolitan Performing Arts, Dance Fusion NW, the Traveling Day Society, Northwest Performing Arts Alliance, Columbia Dance and the Historic Music Preservation Project. Vancouver artist and poet Bob Sunshine will be demonstrating his artwork from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunshine paints with black and white acrylic, then applies watercolor.

Local food carts will have food available for purchase, and younger visitors will have the opportunity to explore their creativity with hands-on arts activities. Free parking will be available at the adjacent parking garage, plus the event is just an easy walk from the Vancouver Famers Market.