CAMAS – At the Washington State Main Street Program’s annual Excellence on Main awards ceremony, the Downtown Camas Association was honored with the Outstanding Special Project Award for its Camas Culture Art Block, which uses art to celebrate the diverse cultures of people living in Camas. The award was announced on Oct. 17 during the PLACES Conference at the Gesa Power House Theatre in Walla Walla.
After considering for years adding colorful art panels to Fifth Avenue, the Downtown Camas Association connected with artist Maria Navarro Alejandres, who dreamed of celebrating her Mexican heritage through the creation of a mural. When she and her art teacher, Miranda Wakeman, met with the Downtown Camas Association in fall of 2023, the visions merged and evolved from a single mural to an “art block” concept where more cultural expression through art could be showcased and celebrated. The Downtown Camas Association secured space for the art block by partnering with Ziply Fiber to install panels on the side of its building.
The Downtown Camas Association also worked with Navarro Alejandres and Wakeman to create a call for artists that went out to high school students in Camas, inviting them to submit art that celebrated their cultures. Six art pieces were selected, representing six student-artists’ self-identified cultures, including Mexican, Chinese, Indian, LGBTQ+, car culture and anime.
Operated by the nonprofit Washington Trust for Historic Preservation in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Washington State Main Street Program helps communities across the state revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown districts. Today, the Washington State Main Street Program encompasses a network of more than 70 towns and cities across Washington, including Camas.
