VOCA
Vancouver Organization for Contemporary Art
VOCA was an evolving idea that began in 2008 among a handful of artists who recognized the need for affordable spaces for art exhibitions, small performances, readings, lectures, and arts seminars. It was an independent effort launched by artists K.C. Madsen and Anne John, along with designer Cam Suttles. The welcoming and flexible space on Harney Street—made possible through the generosity of Anne John—served as a vibrant venue for the arts for one year, from 2013 to 2014, until the building was sold. Although the initiative concluded, VOCA remains an important part of our organization’s history and continues to inspire future visions for accessible creative spaces.
TIMELINE
JUNE 4 - JULY 5, 2010
WINDOWS INTO ART
Before VOCA had a physical space, it found creative ways to bring contemporary art to the public. Windows into Art transformed vacant storefronts in downtown Vancouver, Washington, into temporary galleries, turning city sidewalks into a museum-like experience. Co-curated by K.C. Madsen and Dene Grigar, the exhibition featured 18 window installations across seven buildings, showcasing a diverse range of media and artistic perspectives. Supported by generous downtown property owners, the project invited passersby to encounter art unexpectedly and on their own terms—connecting community and creativity in the heart of the city.
2010-2014
VANCOUVER USA REGIONAL TOURISM OFFICE ART WINDOW
Following the success of Windows into Art, the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office invited K.C. Madsen to continue curating rotating art exhibits in its downtown windows at 8th and Main. From 2010 to 2014, these changing displays brought new energy to an otherwise blank streetscape, featuring works by artists such as Susan Harlan, Jeff Condit, Sanje Elliott, Pilar Hanson, Yuki Hitori, Bob Grove, Kicki Masthem, Alder Suttles, Anne John, and Erin Dengerink. Showcasing a variety of media—from painting and photography to ceramics and fiber arts—the project transformed a quiet corner into a lively public art experience, reminding passersby of the joy of “window shopping” for creativity in their own city.
JULY 2013
PEACEHEALTH HeArts OF CLARK COUNTY EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION
In late 2012, PeaceHealth Hospital Foundation invited Anne John—and later VOCA—to collaborate on its 2013 fundraiser supporting a new heart and vascular surgery facility. Anne coordinated artists to transform thirty fiberglass hearts into unique works of art for auction, while VOCA secured a space on Harney Street to host the creative process, exhibit, and artist reception. This event not only celebrated community collaboration through art but also marked the beginning of the Harney Street building as VOCA’s home.
AUGUST 2013
EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Curated by Kathi Rick—artist and art instructor at Washington State University, Marylhurst College, and Portland Community College—this exhibition featured a dozen emerging photographers showcasing their digital photographic art in the new VOCA space. The show attracted visitors from across the Portland–Vancouver region, highlighting VOCA’s growing role as a hub for contemporary artistic expression and community engagement.
AUGUST 2013
ROBERT BICKEL EXHIBIT: TIME WAVES
VOCA presented the first major solo exhibition by architect, painter, and Ridgefield resident Robert Bickel. Time Waves showcased Bickel’s distinctive exploration of form, rhythm, and structure, bridging his architectural sensibilities with the expressive freedom of painting. The exhibition marked a milestone in VOCA’s mission to highlight regional artists with innovative perspectives.
OCTOBER 2013
100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE DAY
Clark County Poet Laureate Christopher Luna organized a daylong poetry workshop at VOCA that culminated in an open-mic reading of works created during the event. Part of the international 100 Thousand Poets for Change movement, the gathering brought writers and listeners together in a spirit of creativity and social awareness, reinforcing VOCA’s commitment to diverse forms of contemporary expression.
NOVEMBER 2013
CLARK COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS TOUR EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION
VOCA hosted the preview exhibition for the inaugural Clark County Open Studios tour, featuring works by 50 participating artists as part of Vancouver’s November First Friday Art Walk. In partnership with Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Arts of Clark County, and local sponsors, a shuttle bus connected visitors to multiple galleries and venues throughout downtown. The VOCA reception drew more than 700 guests, marking one of the organization’s most vibrant and well-attended community events.
NOVEMBER 2013
MICHAEL SMITH: DRAWING AS PERFORMANCE ART
Artist Michael Smith transformed the VOCA space into a working studio to create eight large-scale portraits of Vancouver residents. The expansive venue allowed him to work at a scale not possible in his home studio while inviting the public to witness his creative process firsthand. Smith also produced a stop-motion video documenting the project, later shared on YouTube, offering a lasting glimpse into the intersection of drawing, performance, and community engagement.
DECEMBER 2013
MICHAEL SMITH: DRAWN
Following his month-long Drawing as Performance Art project, VOCA hosted an artist reception and exhibition showcasing Michael Smith’s completed portraits. The event celebrated both the finished works and the creative process behind them, highlighting VOCA’s ongoing commitment to supporting artists in experimental and community-centered practices.
DECEMBER 11, 2013
ARTIST TRUST AT LARGE: K.C. MADSEN TALK
VOCA hosted a presentation by K.C. Madsen, regional representative for Artist Trust, a Washington State organization dedicated to supporting and empowering artists. Madsen shared a wide range of professional resources and opportunities available to help artists advance their creative careers, reinforcing VOCA’s role as both an artistic and educational hub within the community.
DECEMBER 15, 2013
VA VA VOOM VAUDEVILLE TROUPE
Recognizing the challenges small performing arts groups faced in finding local venues, VOCA opened its doors to the VA VA VOOM vaudeville troupe for their winter, holiday-themed performance. The lively show brought music, comedy, and theatrical flair to the Harney Street space, expanding VOCA’s reach beyond the visual arts and embracing Vancouver’s broader creative community.
DECEMBER 20-21, 2013
SERENDIPITY PLAYERS READERS THEATER
After nearly two years of performances and building an enthusiastic following, the Serendipity Players lost their downtown venue. VOCA stepped in to provide a new space, hosting a readers theater in December 2013, with additional performances planned for February in conjunction with Black History Month. The collaboration reflected VOCA’s commitment to supporting performing artists and sustaining live theater in Vancouver’s cultural landscape.
JANUARY 3, 2014
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FINE ARTS EXHIBIT
Southwest Washington’s Boys & Girls Club stood out for its rigorous and dedicated visual arts program—one that had already produced national award winners in 2013. In January 2014, VOCA hosted the club’s annual Fine Arts Exhibit and the judging of works created by young artists. The event celebrated emerging talent and underscored VOCA’s commitment to fostering creativity across all generations in the community.
JANUARY - MARCH 2014
ART LAB: 8 WOMEN MAKING ART
VOCA invited eight women artists—friends and colleagues—to participate in its first Art Lab, a month-long creativity incubator initiated by Anne John. Each artist was encouraged to take risks, step outside her usual process, or explore new media and genres. Working together in a shared studio environment fostered collaboration and inspired bold experimentation. VOCA opened its doors to the public during designated hours, allowing visitors to meet the artists and view works in progress. The culminating exhibition on First Friday, March 7, featured completed artworks and a performance by the dance troupe Off Point, whose members had backgrounds with major companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Eugene Ballet, and Oregon Ballet Theatre.
APRIL 4, 2014
EXHIBIT A: EVIDENCE OF AN ART OCCURRENCE
This exhibition presented the remnants of a prior performance created by students from the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, under the direction of artist K.C. Madsen. Working with VSAA art teacher Crystal Zeller, her family, and students from multiple disciplines, Madsen “conducted” the performance on March 29, 2014, with no audience present—only participants and documenters. The resulting installation at VOCA displayed the physical evidence of that unseen event, inviting viewers to imagine the creative process and the moment that had already passed.
