State Reps. Sharon Wylie and Liz Pike appear to have precious little in common. Wylie is a liberal Democrat and Pike a conservative Republican.
But Wylie and Pike do have enough in common to be close friends, both told The Columbian. They’re both mothers of twins. They’re both foodies who like to cook for guests. And they’re both accomplished painters who have shown and sold their artworks.
Pike used to run a gallery in downtown Camas; Wylie rents studio space at the North Bank Gallery in downtown Vancouver and has placed her work in several other galleries as well.
“There are huge differences politically. But there are some unlikely commonalities, too,” Wylie said.
It was Pike’s idea for the two of them to hold a joint art show. “I was gently nudging her, we’ve got to do this,” Pike said.
If You Go: Art events
What: Art show and silent auction with wine and refreshments to benefit the Winter Hospitality Overflow shelters. The show features artworks by state Reps. Liz Pike and Sharon Wylie.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: North Bank Artists Gallery, 1005 Main St., Vancouver.
Cost: $25. Art and school supply donations for homeless children also will be accepted.
What: Reception for "Hero!" featuring works by students at Columbia River High School and the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics.
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Jan. 8.
Where:North Bank Artists Gallery, 1005 Main St., Vancouver.
Cost: Free.
Wylie was reluctant — until she ran the idea past some artist friends at North Bank who do volunteer work for the homeless. They suggested making such a show a fundraiser for the local, seasonal shelter-overflow project called Winter Hospitality Overflow, or WHO.
“Credit goes to Sharon,” Pike said. “She called me and said let’s do a one-night-only show and make it a benefit for this public-private partnership deal.”
Wylie also secured North Bank as the location. The gallery is in between shows now anyway, she said, so it was glad to have an event like this to host.
From 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, North Bank will host an art show and silent auction; Wylie and Pike have donated two artworks each. The price of admission is $25.
“People can just come look at art and have a nice time,” Pike said. “If they want, they can bid on it, and they can bring donations of art supplies and school supplies. We’ll have bins there.”
Wylie emphasized that she is a big believer in the value of arts education for children, and she wants to make sure children who are hosted by the WHO don’t miss out.
“Art, music, theater, writing,” she said. “In some districts, arts and music really take a back seat, but I think they’re really important.”
‘Hero!’
New Year’s Day happens to land on the first Friday of the month this year, so Vancouver’s First Friday Art Walk has been bumped to the second Friday of next month — that’s Jan. 8.
North Bank, at 1005 Main St. in downtown Vancouver, will host a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. to celebrate “Hero!” It’s a show of works by students at Columbia River High School and the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. The artists will be on hand.
Camas is calling its Second Friday “Clue in Downtown Camas” event a missing-cupcake caper that participants can solve by visiting various merchants and collecting clues. Successful detectives get free mini-cupcakes from Cake Happy. Then catch the movie “Clue” at the Liberty Theater at 8 p.m.
Ridgefield has opted for First Saturdays instead of First Fridays. On Jan. 2, the town community center will start the New Year right by hosting a free health and fitness festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 210 N. Main Ave.
Old Town Battle Ground’s First Friday is still set for 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 1.
