Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County
New Life for Steigerwald Lake
JUNE 2022
esidents R
and visitors of east Clark County have a whole new natural world to explore. After a three-year ecological revitalization closure, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) reopened to the public in May. Located just east of Washougal, the refuge is the western gateway to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and home to a variety of fish, fowl and other wildlife. Central to the project was reconnecting Gibbons Creek to the refuge’s flood plain—a connection that was lost decades ago when the creek was manually rerouted from its original flow through an elevated canal, bypassing the Steigerwald wetlands and starving nearby wildlife of nutrients and deposits. In addition to the Gibbons Creek reconnection project, a new trail system in the refuge now includes one additional mile of trail, two new footbridges and additional viewpoints.
KILNFOLK Grand Opening
A brand new clay studio has opened in Downtown Vancouver,
offering pottery painting and clay classes—and the best part is, child care is on-site for your little ones to play while you create! Kilnfolk Clay Studio and Gallery celebrated its grand opening on April 30, welcoming the community to enjoy the beautiful space and experience the joy of creating one-of-a-kind art. Founder Faith Odman discovered clay arts herself at Yakima Community College seven years ago. “I just loved spending all of my spare time in the studio and have craved it ever since,” she said. From Yakima she went on to earn a business degree from George Fox University, then to work as operations manager for a couple of different startups. But pottery was still calling her name. “I was tired of working from home and recognized a need in myself and others to have some in-person activities after these last few years of isolation.” Odman chose Downtown Vancouver for the location for her clay studio, based on its “amazing atmosphere” and proximity to other arts-centric organizations and locations like Firehouse Glass, Vancouver Farmers Market, Esther Short Park and nearby restaurants. Kilnfolk is currently offering pottery painting and firing, plus a variety of classes for kids up to adults, including Family Clay, a two-hour time slot with guided instruction for kids and adults together, and Mindful Clay, “a relaxing hand-building class with an emphasis on slowing down, contemplation and mindfulness practices. It can be thought of as ‘yoga with clay.’” Senior Clay, Kids Clay, birthday party packages and Date Night “Throwdown” (wheel throwing) are also available to book. Kids Club child care for kids under age 7 is available during most class times for $8-$10 per hour. Coming soon will be a multiweek art program designed for home-school curriculum and memberships for experienced potters to get more time on the wheel. Kilnfolk is open Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-6 pm at 108 W 6th St. in Vancouver. Learn more at kilnfolkclay.com. Artists young and old enjoy creating one-of-a-kind works of art at Kilnfolk in Downtown Vancouver. Photos courtesy Kilnfolk.
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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • June 2022
