Little Art Camas, which took place March 21–22, is an annual two-day art exhibit and fundraiser. Since starting in 2019, the event has become a favorite of the Camas community. 

Carrie Schulstad, executive director of the Downtown Camas Association (DCA), said that the inspiration for the event came from a similar fundraiser at a museum in Rochester, N.Y. The DCA wanted a way to promote art appreciation, creativity, and art collecting in Camas, so they adapted the event to make it their own.

The first 150 artists to register each year receive three different panel sizes. Participants can create their art pieces with a variety of mediums, ranging from paint to photography, with some panels even involving three-dimensional elements. They return the art at a later date, which is then sold for $20 a piece over the course of the two-day event. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate.

“Giving the opportunity for young artists to showcase their art in this exhibit can be the start of a lifelong love of creating art,” Schulstad said. 

Brie Marais, marketing and volunteer coordinator for the DCA, said that part of what makes the event special is the mix of professional, hobby, and youth artists. 

“Each piece tells a story, and it’s inspiring to see people discover artwork that resonates with them,” Marais said.

Along with selling art, the event also includes a silent auction, refreshments, and live music. This year, Little Art also included art demos on Saturday to promote professional artists in the community.

Bailey Lim, a sophomore at Camas High School (CHS), has loved art ever since she was a little kid. She first submitted artwork to the event in 2022. 

“My favorite part about participating in Little Art is seeing all of the other artists’ artwork and the community coming together to support each other,” Lim said.

Little Art not only promotes creativity but also funds public art initiatives in Downtown Camas. Examples include the “We’re All Connected” mural on Cedar Street and the “Camas Culture Art Block” murals on Fifth Avenue.

“Art builds a richer community experience,” Schulstad said.

Students agree, with CHS freshman Grace Tao sharing a similar sentiment.

“Art has the ability to bring people together,” Tao said.

The DCA has expressed gratitude to the community for bringing energy to this event for the last six years. Their hope for the future is that it stays vibrant and new artists will continue to take part each year. 

“We love that the art sold at this event creates even more art in our town,” Schulstad said.