2023 Exhibits
Read All About It! 1908-1958, January/February 2023
To celebrate the Library's centennial, the Second Story Gallery presented Read All About It! (1908-1958). This show consisted of reproduced cover pages from our local newspaper, which was originally called LaCamas Post and is now the Camas-Washougal Post-Record. The headlines were drawn from the first 50 years of the paper's life, 1908-1958. A second show in late 2023 displayed headlines from 1959-2008. The reproduced cover pages revealed to patrons a snapshot of what was happening in our community throughout these years, while also highlighting the local coverage of regional events and reporting on national headlines. Historical objects from the Clark County Historical Museum, Two Rivers Heritage Museum, The Mill Interpretive & Visitor’s Center, and the archive of Camas-Washougal Post Record were also included.
Special thanks to: Liza Schade and Lyndsay Medonich from Clark County Historical Museum, Kelly Moyer from Camas-Washougal Post-Record, Karen Johnson from Two Rivers Heritage Museum, and Ron Hawkins from The Mill Interpretive & Visitor’s Center.
A Century in the Books, March/April 2023
Continuing with our Centennial Celebration, the Second Story Gallery presented A Century in the Books! Many events and individuals have shaped the Camas Public Library's 100-year history. This show included a timeline of Library milestones from 1923 to 2023. From the initial conception of a public library space to the current building on 4th Avenue, visitors enjoyed a walk through time to learn interesting facts and saw historical photos and artifacts from the past century.
Special thanks to: Liza Schade from Clark County Historical Museum for the contribution of historical photos and artifacts from Camas for this exhibition.
Common Threads, May/June 2023
"Common Threads" was a group art show that explored the rich history of Camas, Washington, and the broader Southwest Washington region. Featuring the work of local artists, the exhibition invited viewers to explore the area's past through a diverse range of artistic mediums. The artwork in this show provided a glimpse into the complex and multifaceted history of the area. By engaging with the artwork, visitors were encouraged to reflect on their own connection to the region and consider the ways in which the past continues to shape the present and the future.
Find Your Voice, July/August 2023
During the Library’s centennial year, we took a moment to look toward the future with art from our community’s youth. In July, the Gallery showcased artwork from Camas High School art students at Camas, Discovery, and Hayes Freedom High Schools. In August, the Gallery showcased artwork from middle school art students from Liberty, Odyssey, and Skyridge Middle Schools. The theme for both exhibitions was “Find Your Voice,” which complemented the year’s summer reading theme. Visitors helped us celebrate the talent of our local art students as they explored a diverse range of topics, including a focus on paintings of locations in Camas.
Read All About It! 1958-2008, September/October 2023
As an additional piece of the Library's Centennial Celebration, the Second Story Gallery presented Read All About It! (1959-2008). This show consisted of reproduced cover pages from our local newspaper The Camas-Washougal Post-Record. The gallery exhibited cover pages from the first 50 years of the newspaper’s life earlier in the year and this exhibit displayed the next 50 years. The reproduced cover pages revealed to patrons a snapshot of what was happening in our community throughout these years, while also highlighting the local coverage of regional events and reporting on national headlines.
Special thanks to: Liza Schade. Katie Bush, and Lyndsay Medonich from Clark County Historical Museum.
Preserving the Present, November/December 2023
During the Library's year-long Centennial Celebration, the community had the opportunity to delve into the Library's extensive history, gaining a deeper appreciation for its role over the years. As we set our sights on what lies ahead, our goal was to extend this opportunity to future patrons who will walk through our doors a century from now. To achieve this, we created a Library Time Capsule that will reveal a snapshot of the Library as it stands in 2023, preserving a rich assortment of photos and artifacts that represent the various activities and programs the Library has offered.
Before sealing this time capsule for the next 100 years, we displayed the contents for the community in the Second Story Gallery for the month of November. Once the November exhibition concluded, we packed up the contents and sealed them inside the time capsule. The time capsule will be safeguarded in the Library's basement, housed within an old vault that carries its own historical significance, having once served the City's finance department during a bygone era. By taking these steps, we created a lasting connection between our past, our present, and our future, ensuring that the Library remains a vital part of our community's heritage for generations to come.
