Courage: Artists & Writers Face Their Fears Rain

March 14 - April 4

Opening reception Saturday, March 14, 5:00-8:00pm, at AVA GAllery

Launch of 2026 Rain Magazine April 10, 5:00-8:00pm, in Towler Hall at Clatsop Community Collage

This collaborative exhibition between Rain Magazine at Clatsop Community College and Astoria Visual Arts features artwork and writing from the upcoming issue of Rain Magazine alongside an invitational selection of artists and writers who responded to one another’s work, using shared writing or visual art as inspiration. Together, the works explore the many dimensions of courage—from intimate, personal acts such as the courage to create, to leave, or to love, to broader social and global realities including the courage to lead, to speak out, and to resist. The resulting work spans generations and disciplines, featuring high school and college students alongside professional artists and writers. See the exhibition March 14 through April 4 at AVA.

Vee Lind, MS—AVA board member, poet, artist, and counselor—was inspired to expand the reach of Rain’s contributors by partnering with AVA. “Courage is the ability to face your fear,” Lind says. “To do what’s right, what’s needed, and what is true to your values.” As a writer, artist, and counselor, Lind is passionate about how the arts give voice to complex and challenging emotions.

Kama O’Connor, MFA, writing instructor at Clatsop Community College and faculty advisor for Rain Magazine, co-curated the exhibition alongside Lind. “We’ve never celebrated the art and writing submitted to Rain Magazine in this way before,” O’Connor says. “We’re excited to showcase the incredible work of our contributors. Projects like this really show how creative collaboration brings a community together.”

Rain Magazine is a student-produced literary and arts magazine at Clatsop Community College that showcases original poetry, prose, and visual art from students and community contributors. For the 2026 issue, the Rain editorial staff selected Courage as the central theme.

A public opening reception will take place Saturday, March 14, from 5:00 to 8:00pm during Astoria Artwalk. The exhibition will conclude with a series of workshops on April 4, facilitated by Vee Lind, a certified Creativity Coach. The workshops include Brave Writing from 10:00am to 12:00pm and Courage Shields - Collaging from 1:00 to 3:00pm. The workshops are free and individuals with all levels of experience are welcome. RSVPs are required to attend.

Rain Magazine will conclude its Courage events with the launch of the 2026 issue of Rain Magazine.  The reception and readings will be Friday, April 10, 5:00 to 8:00pm at Clasop Community College, Towler Hall.

Civic Courage - James Gainey