Art. Action. Community. – Arts as Activism

Exhibition Dates: July 4–27, 2025

Opening Reception: Friday, July 4, 5–7:30pm

Location: Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River, OR

Exhibition Statement

Art. Action. Community. brings together artists from across the Columbia Gorge to explore the power of art as a catalyst for social change. This dynamic group exhibition highlights work that confronts urgent issues—locally and globally—while fostering reflection, empathy, and civic dialogue. Through painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more, artists in this show examine themes such as environmental justice, equity, identity, protest, and liberation.

Each participating artist has also selected a local/regional nonprofit to support. A portion of gallery sales will be shared with these community organizations, reinforcing the exhibition’s belief in the power of art not only to move us—but to mobilize us.

Join us throughout July for a celebration of creativity and conviction, where visual art becomes a shared platform for engagement and impact.

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Janet Essley • Frances Angiulo • Todd Biernacki • Inez Coppola • Tony Furtado • Nicki Eybel • Dennis Hartley • Sylvianne Johnson • Stephen Labadie • Debbie Lynn Laughlin • Kerry Lucia • Chas Martin • Marieke Mertz • Cheryl Quintana • Jeri Rutherford • Ishan Shapiro • Jen Smith • Rene A Westbrook • Carolyn Wilhelm • Jodi Wright • MacRae Wylde

FEATURED NON-PROFITS:

Helping Hands Against Violence • Gorge Pride Alliance • Mid Columbia Child & Family Center • The Nature Conservancy • Trout Lake Care •

Columbia Riverkeeper • Columbia Insight • Food Bank of Oregon • The Next Door • Cascade Forest Conservancy • Fish Food Bank • Mt. View Grange • Palestine Children's Relief Fund - Portland • Trout Lake Arts Council • Wylde Wind & Water • Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP)

ARTIST SUBMISSIONS - CLOSED!

SUBMISSIONS