It is time to apply for the 2025 Washougal Arts and Music Festival !

The Washougal Arts Festival is seeking artists of all mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry, and photography. The festival is open to both emerging and established artists.  All entries will be juried based on originality, creativity, craftsmanship, and professionalism.

Our annual event will take place August 9, 2025 in Reflection Plaza, downtown Washougal.  Applications will be accepted through May 12, 2025.

• CLICK HERE for a complete Call for Artists document.  
• If you use gmail, CLICK HERE to complete an application online.  
• Otherwise, CLICK HERE to download an application that you can email to us.  

 See you on August 9, 2025 for a wonderful celebration of artists, musicians, and community.

Want to reach out to one of the local artists you saw at the festival last year?   Click here for a list of artists along with links to their websites.  

Click here for a list of arts activities throughout the month of March.

WACA and Washougal School Board member Chuck Carpenter notes, “Washougal has become known for its support of the arts, and a real important part of that support is in fostering the abilities of our young people. This is why WACA, the City, and the schools work together on Youth Arts Month.”

And here are some photos of our Art in the Park events held this month at Hamllik and Hathaway Parks.

Call for Artists - 3-D Optical Illusion Sidewalk Art

The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA) is soliciting proposals from individual artists or teams of artists for paintings of a 3-D optical illusion style for sidewalks of downtown Washougal. The paintings are to be designed to create an illusion of depth.  They can be whimsical or challenging to the viewer’s perception.  Get creative and let's have some fun!

Click here for more details, including how to send in a proposal.  

The Two Rivers Heritage Sculpture

The artwork will reflect the history and culture of Washougal with specific events from our city's history depicted on metal waves which wrap around the tower. It will also represent the city’s geographic location near the confluence of the Washougal River and the Columbia River. Thus the title “Two Rivers Heritage Sculpture.”

 There is much more to know!  Click here to learn more about this project.

We did it!  

We thank the following individuals, foundations, businesses, and organizations for their support.  As of January 8, 2025, we've raised the funds needed to fabricate and install this sculpture.

Washougal Art Installations

There is a surprising amount of art in Washougal. Whether it is your first time here or you're a longtime resident looking to find out more about the art you see around you, we'd love to share the art installations in our town. Explore freely, then please join us in continuing to enrich our community through a range of public art experiences.

 Glance at the map below, then click here or on the map itself for more details.

Community Building Through Mural Design

From November 2023 through June of 2024, WACA collaborated with the East County Citizens' Alliance (ECCA) on a community mural project. Funded by WACA and the City of Washougal and coordinated through ECCA, the project provided an opportunity for joyful creation of permanent artwork to enhance the restroom structure at Hamllik Park.   Read more about the vision for this project here.  View a slideshow of the evolution of the project from conception to completion here.  

A Plein Air Painting Experience at the Intersection of Art and Nature

Claire Giordano, an environmental artist and founder of the Adventure Art Academy met with WACA members in late May 2024.  WACA partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to fund her residency at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge complex which includes Steigerwald Lake where she held the plein air painting class.

Summer Jazz Concert

A standing-room-only crowd enjoyed the swinging sounds of Louis Pain and Renato Caranto on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Washougal!  The audience enjoyed wine and appetizers before a powerfully moving performance by two of the region’s top jazz musicians.  It was a memorable afternoon for listeners of all ages experiencing the top-caliber music our small town has to offer.