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We are the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance

Officially established in 2014, the mission of the Washougal Arts and Cultural Alliance (WACA) is to enrich and engage our community through the display and support of regional artists’ work. We meet regularly as a Board to discuss art, plan events and share ideas of how to bring more public art to Washougal.

WACA is a 501c3 charitable organization. Your tax deductible donations will fund WACA’s efforts to increase public art in the City of Washougal. You can make a donation on Paypal by clicking here or, alternatively, you can mail a check to WACA, PO Box 684, Washougal, WA  98671.

The flagship project of The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance, the annual Washougal Art Festival strives connect the artists in our community with community members who love Art. Held in-person or virtually, the Washougal Art Festival showcases the talented artists in our own community and brings Art lovers of all kinds together. 

Learn more

Washougal Art Festival

The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance doesn't just talk about Art, we support it and install it. Below are the projects that we have had a hand in funding across Washougal since our inception.

Here's to many, many more in the coming years.

Current Project

The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance is proud to announce the next project we are fundraising for: The Current Project. Due to be unveiled in Fall 202X, The Current Project is being created by Upncoming Artist from our very own Washougal. Please follow WACA on Instagram and Facebook in order to stay up-to-date on The Current Project. And, of course, if you would like to take part in the fundraising for this project, please click here - every bit helps.

Dreaming

Dreaming, a large, friendly and life-like bronze bear sculpture created by Heather Soderberg of Cascade Locks, was installed in January 2020. It is located on the corner of A Street and Pendleton Way in downtown Washougal.

This piece was a two-year WACA fundraising effort. In addition to public support raised by WACA, substantial contributors were also Jim and Betty Cooper of Washougal and the City of Washougal Tourism Fund.  The piece is valued at $30,000.

It is a community favorite to take pictures with and adds charm to our downtown.

Princess White Wing

“…he thought he could see White Wing in the clouds and in the forest and in his dreams.”  He said, “Come pretty bird and fly with me, for I am lonely and my nest is empty.”

The mural, designed and painted by internationally renowned Native American artist Toma Villa, is installed outside the Washougal Community Library for the entire community to enjoy.

If you are familiar with Washougal’s history, you know that Betsy White Wing Ough, a Cascades Tribe princess, along with her husband Richard Ough, founded this great city. For her role, Betsy is lovingly referred to by many as the “Mother of Washougal.” The theme of the mural is Richard Ough courting Betsy White Wing Ough.

This project was funded by generous contributions from WACA supporters, a WA State Snap Grant and City of Washougal.

Historic Lager

Historic Lager was commissioned in 2018 by WACA and created by prolific, local artist Travis London.  It is located next to the Washougal Post Office on the wall of the Big Foot Inn in downtown Washougal.

Forever Faithful

Forever Faithful is a life-sized bronze dog sculpture of a Belgain Malinois, created by prominent bronze sculptor Susan Bahary. It sits proudly outside the Washougal Police Department at 1320 A Street, Washougal. Thank you to the community for their donations to bring this piece to Washougal!

For The Birds Art Project

This artistic display of community inspired and created bird houses is located next to City Hall and got its start in Fall of 2016.

The full WACA project vision includes planting flowers and scrubs with the ultimate goal to create a beautiful butterfly and bird garden featuring these artistic bird houses of various sizes and décor.  A place of beauty!

To find out more information on how you can get involved, contact WACA at  washougalarts@gmail.com

Golden Back Heron

Golden Back Heron, created by Portland metal artist Tom Jackson was welcomed to Washougal on Nov 19. The three-foot tall metal sculpture stands in the rain garden next to the main parking lot at Washougal City Hall, 1701 C Street.

Bronze Seaman Sculpture

In August 2015, Washougal welcomed its newest resident, a bronze sculpture of Seaman, the Newfoundland dog that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition which included a stop in Washougal for provisions. The life-sized bronze was created by Cascade Locks artist Heather Stoderberg-Greene. He was made possible by the fund raising efforts of WACA and the Columbia Gorge Woman’s Association.

The piece is now a fixture in downtown Washougal, delighting children and families who climb on his back for photos and community members who decorate him to celebrate seasons!

Washougal Arts And Cultural Alliance Donors

Thank you to our many donors and the following major donors for your support of public art in Washougal:

Jim and Betty Cooper 

Suzanne Grover 

Kelli Rule 

Susan Warford

Chuck Carpenter

Kathy Huntington 

Joyce Lindsay

René Carroll

City of Washougal

Shirley Scott 

Molly Coston

Dr. M. H. Jawad

Wes Hickey

Thank you to those who donated in the memory of a loved one:

Jim Brown, Beti Brandis Haag, Kathy Willis, Jeff Guard, Mike Keohler, Gregg VanDam


Support for WACA is also provided by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

WACA Board Members

Susan Warford | René Carroll | Jim Cooper | Molly Coston | Janice Ferguson | Michelle Wagner | Chuck Carpenter | Kathy Huntington | Kathy Dering

Become a Member of the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance!

If there is room for more Art in your life, or you simply want to help out, here are some easy ways to become involved. Our goal is to inform and engage people like yourself who want to play a role in bringing more public art to Washougal. We are a non-profit and volunteer-run organization that runs almost entirely on the generosity of the community. Any donations go to the support of Art in Washougal.

Members

Love art and share a passion to support local Washougal artists? Want more public art in Washougal? Please click below for membership information.

Members

Newsletter

Sign up for the bi-monthly WACA Newsletter and stay abreast of all the happenings in the Washougal Art Community: upcoming events, the annual Washougal Arts Festival and a few surprises.

Newsletter

Discover

There is far more Art in Washougal than meets the eye. See what there is... and see why we are so passionate in our support of Art and Artists here in Washougal.

Discover