By Scott D. Johnston |


The central coast area of Washington state offers an amazing array of natural beauty with its beaches, forests and nearby mountains. It’s no wonder that many artists have chosen to live along this stunning stretch by the sea.

The City of Ocean Shores was officially incorporated in 1970. By then, the group that was to become “The Associated Arts of Ocean Shores” (AAOS) had already produced its first Ocean Shores Arts & Crafts Festival. This Labor Day Weekend will see the 54th edition of what is thought to be the longest running annual event in the Shores. It takes place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 1-3, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.

According to the group’s website, www.associatedarts.org, “The Associated Arts of Ocean Shores was incorporated in 1974 to:

Promote and organize the visual, literary, and performing arts
Promote arts education
Inform the community about arts events
Sponsor arts programs and activities
Lead and assist in the development of arts programs

“The mission of Associated Arts is to lead and assist individuals and organizations in providing diverse arts education programs and events in our community.”

One of Ocean Shores’ oldest non-profit organizations, the group boasts over 100 artists, associate and business members. In more than half a century of service to the arts and the people of Ocean Shores and the North Beach, AAOS has been involved and instrumental in all of the above and more.

They have awarded tens of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to aspiring young artists in the area. They have offered countless workshops and other similar opportunities involving a wide variety of art forms. They have developed, promoted and/or supported various professional, juried art shows. They have aided and supported the formation of countless local and area artists groups and activities.

Most apparent to the general public is the annual AAOS Arts & Crafts Festival, which has become a Labor Day Weekend tradition in the North Beach, with free admission and parking at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. The arts and crafts vendors in the event are curated to allow only original, hand-made, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, with the artists and artisans on hand to discuss their work. This year, the festival also offers several hours of live music daily, festival food and beer garden, and a variety of family friendly activities including a free kids zone and children’s guided, hands-on art experiences.
Over the course of AAOS’ history, several art galleries have been established in the area, representing untold numbers of artists and artisans. The newest, opened in 2021, is Tim Rossow Watercolors & Associates, at 171 E. Chance a la Mer in Ocean Shores.
A watercolor artist for 50 years, Rossow has this year taken on the presidency of AAOS and has been calling on his many experiences as an event producer to lead the organization in creating new content, enthusiasm and excitement.

Rossow’s life also offers an example of the kind of thing many artists in the area have eventually experienced. In his case, a professional life as a minister and fund-raiser for Lutherans in Africa has taken him around the world and has provided him with many stunning photo opportunities vitally instrumental in his art. However, his preferred subject matter is the Pacific Northwest coastline within an hour’s travel of the place he and his wife chose for their eventual retirement. Just a short walk from the dunes, the sand and the surf is their home in Ocean Shores.


Live Music will be inside the Ocean Shores Convention Center starting at 12 noon Friday, Sept. 1, Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sunday Sept. 3. Headliners will play each day at 5 pm: Friday, country recording artists Luke and Kaylee (Luke of the Olson Bros); Saturday Randy Linder’s Creedence Revelation CCR tribute; Sunday the return of Grays Harbor’s own Ericka Corbin.

Links:

Associated Arts of Ocean Shores: https://www.associatedarts.org/

54th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival: https://www.associatedarts.org/artsandcraftsfestival

AAOS Arts & Crafts Festival FAQs: https://www.associatedarts.org/_files/ugd/a8e1ef_f08f38a8ab664650bf218f7689873477.pdf


Scott D. Johnston is vice-president of the North Beach TV community television station, a non-profit serving the North Beach from Ocean Shores to Taholah. He began covering local news on the radio, in print and on TV after moving to Ocean Shores in 2009.

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