Brush shoulders with artisans in Pacific City

The Oregon Coast’s vibrant creative spirit takes center stage once again as the 31st annual Nestucca Valley Artisans Festival returns to the Kiawanda Community Center in Pacific City this weekend.

The festival features 23 local artists and craftsmen, all members of Nestucca Valley Artisans, a nonprofit collective committed to nurturing and promoting local creativity. Guests will enjoy a wide selection of original, handcrafted artwork for sale, including paintings, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, woodworking and photography.

The artisans, led by president Denise Clausen, have chosen Catherine Hingson as one of the featured artists for the upcoming show.

Hingson has participated in the festival for the past five years, displaying her marine-related paintings done in oil, watercolor, acrylic or paste. She will have original paintings, prints and greeting cards available. For those interested in learning watercolor, Hingson offers classes at the Artists’ Studio Association in Lincoln City and other local venues. Plein Air, or outdoor, painting is another of Hingson’s interests, and she invites artists to join her for free local excursions.

The festival runs from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16 and 17, at the Kiawanda Community Center, located at 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive in Pacific City. For more information, go to nestuccavalleyartisans.org.