About the Show

Columbia Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the return of “Best of the Gorge,” our premier show celebrating and rewarding the best artwork produced by mid-Columbia Gorge artists. All mediums are welcome, such as drawing, painting, photography, glass, ceramics, sculpture, fiber art, digital and mixed media. Prizes will go to the best three artworks as chosen by the Juror, and visitors will be invited to vote throughout the month for the People’s Choice Award. 

Submissions have closed. The full prospectus is available here.

About the Juror, Ruth Armitage

Ruth Armitage, based in West Linn, Oregon, is a multidisciplinary artist celebrated for her bold use of color and gestural brushwork in abstract compositions and plein-air landscapes. Her work explores themes of self-discovery, the interplay of light and darkness, and the emotional landscapes that shape human experience. A signature member of prestigious organizations like the National Watercolor Society and American Watercolor Society, Ruth has earned awards in national exhibitions and has been featured on OPB’s Oregon Art Beat and in national art publications. With extensive experience as a juror, including for the 2023 National Watercolor Society Open Exhibition, she also enjoys teaching workshops, inspiring students domestically and abroad.