In our last issue, we spoke of 2009 being somewhat a year of discussions, when it came to the arts of Clark County. In 2010, we believe action will outdo discussion.

Call it a growing trend, call it a rebirth, call it what you will, but the local arts scene is and has been bubbling beneath this culturally sleepy region of the Northwest — and we’re hoping the bubbles burst onto the streets in 2010. So, we decided to kick things off with a celebration of our local artists that will benefit worthy causes along the way.

The VanVoice Art Auction will take place in conjunction with another art auction in the works. The Clark County Mural Society (CCMS) is planning an auction in the last week of March. The goal of the CCMS is to turn Vancouver into a “mural destination” with over 100 murals in the downtown area. Organizers believe this will attract 1 million tourists a year. It will also showcase the wealth of artistic talent in out sleepy little town.

The VanVoice auction will be held at a different time and place, though we hope dueling promotions of the two will draw crowds that will surprise the dissenters who say Clark County lacks an arts scene. All proceeds of the VanVoice auction will be split between CCMS and Share, “serving the hungry and homeless.” Details of our auction will be finalized in the next two weeks, but what we need starting now is artists.

Any artists who donates a piece of art chosen to be auctioned will be featured in the pages of The Voice. The VanVoice Art Auction will be a great fundraiser as well as a promotional tool for the many local artists. If the venue of the auction is large enough, we also hope to allow artists who donate art to sell their work during the auction. All art mediums are welcome.

Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to ossie@vanvoice.com. More details to come.