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COLUMBIA  GORGE  MUSEUM

Immerse yourself in the rich and diverse history, stories, culture, and people of the Columbia River Gorge.

Events and Exhibitions

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Genevieve Scholl (California, born 1970), The Daughters (No. 3), 2024, oil on canvas, 45 x 28 inches, collection of the artist

MEET THE ARTISTS: 

Painting Gesture and Light of Ancient Forests

Meet and Greet: March 21 at 11am

There’s still time to experience the stunning, PAINTING GESTURE AND LIGHT OF ANCIENT FORESTS exhibition at the Columbia Gorge Museum.

 

Featuring the expressive oil paintings of Genevieve Scholl, this exhibition immerses visitors in the quiet majesty of the Hoh Rainforest of Olympic National Park. Through March 30, art lovers can explore Scholl’s delicate portrayal of ancient trees, including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and fallen nurse logs where new growth emerges.

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Scholl, a studio artist based in the Columbia Gorge, is known for her portrait-like paintings, which capture the personality and vitality of the forest.

 

With the use of transparent layers of oil pigments, her works convey a deep, atmospheric quality that invites reflection and engagement. Each tree, painted with care, offers a glimpse into the unique spirit of the Pacific Northwest’s ancient landscapes.

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On March 21 at 11am, visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet Genevieve Scholl in person. View her artwork up close, learn about her creative process, and perhaps even find the perfect piece to add to your own collection.

 

This is a special chance to connect with the artist behind the forest’s vivid portrayal before the exhibition closes on March 30.

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Sarah Morton-Erasmus, Landscape 24, n.d., Gouache, India Ink, Concentrated Watercolor on Raw Canvas, 24 x 24 inches, collection of the artist

3  ANNUAL WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE GORGE

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Special Opening: April 5 at 6pm

Public Opening: April 6 at 10am

Closes: May 31

The Columbia Gorge Museum is thrilled to invite you to a special opening for our upcoming exhibition, 3RD ANNUAL WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE GORGE, on April 5, 2025, at 6pm.

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This juried exhibition will showcase the finest women artists from the Columbia River Gorge. In collaboration with the White Salmon Arts Council and the Ft. Vancouver Regional Library, we celebrate the exceptional talent, craftsmanship, and storytelling of women in the arts.

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Each piece reflects the unique perspectives and experiences of the artists to create a profound connection between their work and its audience.

 

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the power of art that inspires, unites, and elevates our community.

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To attend the opening, we invite you to become a member of the Museum.

SUMMER CAMP:

Insects, Spiders, and Friends

DATES: July 21 - 25
TIME: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
AGES: 6 - 9 years old
LIMIT: Maximum of 10 children

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Join us for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Columbia Gorge Museum! Under the guidance of our Executive Director and her two assistants, young scientists will embark on an exciting exploration of the natural world, focusing on insects, spiders, and the fascinating environment surrounding the museum.

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Our hands-on, interactive camp will encourage curiosity and discovery. Participants will learn how to safely hunt for critters, observe them closely, document their findings in a scientific journal, and classify specimens using the scientific method.

 

The camp includes short hikes, a foray into Mill Pond, Museum time, and skill development, ensuring a well-rounded educational adventure.

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What to Bring:
Campers should bring a sack lunch each day. On Friday, parents and guardians are invited to an open house where children can proudly showcase everything they’ve learned throughout the week.

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Key Concepts Your Little Scientist Will Explore:

  • Plant Science

  • Zoology

  • Habitats

  • Ecology

  • Animal Behavior

  • Insect Collection

  • Osteology

  • Aquatics Lab

  • The Scientific Method

  • Classification

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​This week-long adventure will inspire your child’s love for nature and science through hands-on activities and interactive learning. Don’t miss out on this incredible experience at the Columbia Gorge Museum!

Educational Gardening
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Detail Feodor Zakharov (Astrakhan, Russia, born 1882), Baron Eugene Fersen, circa early 20c, oil on canvas, Columbia Gorge Museum, Stevenson, Washington, The Lightbearers Collection

SVETOZAR: The Early Life of Baron Eugene Fersen

Available for viewing

Through paintings and other objects from his life, this exhibition dives into the extraordinary journey of a Russian Baron who fled his homeland in the turbulent years leading up to World War I.

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After emigrating to the United States in the late 1910s, Baron Eugene Fersen founded his spiritual organization, the Lightbearers. In the 1930s, he chose Archer near Stevenson, WA as the site for his university, stating he believed the Columbia River Gorge is a spiritual vortex.

 

His early life among Russian Oligarchic spiritualists and philosophers, combined with the trauma of World War I, profoundly influenced his work. Fersen’s writings, including Science of Being and Is There a God? established him as a notable figure in the realm of early New Age Spirituality of the 1920s.

 

Discover the possibilities of his mysterious lineage, the development of his unique philosophy, and how he came to acquire 2,000 acres around Archer Mountain in Skamania County

PAINTING GESTURE AND LIGHT OF ANCIENT FORESTS 

by Genevieve Scholl

Closes: March 30th

First Floor Gallery

Star Block Patchwork Quilt

circa mid-1800s

Step into the ancient beauty of the Pacific Northwest at the Columbia Gorge Museum's upcoming exhibition, PAINTING GESTURE AND LIGHT OF ANCIENT FORESTS, which features the evocative work of local artist Genevieve Scholl.

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As a Columbia Gorge studio artist, Scholl works primarily in oils on canvas, paper, and board, and creates portrait-like paintings that immerse viewers into the quiet majesty of the Hoh Rainforest of Olympic National Park, Washington.

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Scholl interprets atmosphere through layers of transparent oil pigments, which creates a sense of depth.

 

Her work captures the expressive forms and gestures of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and fallen nurse logs from which new growth emerges.

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Each tree is rendered with care as it reflects the unique vitality of the forest. Pause, reflect, and engage actively with the beauty and personality of these ancient landscapes.

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PAINTING GESTURE AND LIGHT OF ANCIENT FORESTS will run from February 2 through March 30 during Museum hours (10 am to 4 pm).

 

Visit the Museum today to experience the brilliance of this new exhibition.

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Genevieve Scholl (California, born 1970), The Daughters (No. 3), 2024, oil on canvas, 45 x 28 inches

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Designed by Otto Placzek and awarded to athletes and officials

VISITING THE OLYMPICS:

Roy Craft in Germany 1936

Available for viewing

The Museum looks back on the Games of 1936 through the experience and writing of Stevenson’s Roy Craft.

Born in 1908, Craft began as a writer and publisher at age 16. His career progressed to the editor of the Stars and Stripes in Europe, publicist for celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, and owner of the Skamania County Pioneer!

For those auspicious 1936 Games, Craft was tapped to represent several west coast newspapers. He sent back interesting articles and left memorabilia from the Games to the CGM, including images of the University of Washington’s winning Boys of the Boats Olympic team, as well as hand-written records of winning runs by Jesse Owens.

Visit us for this direct look to that period in history, including medals, programs, photographs of the Games, and the characters that played a role.

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Notable Happenings

Discover more regarding the events and exhibitions at the Museum

RE-DISCOVER

WHAT WAS

LOST

Photographer: Lauren Welborn

General Admissions

Available for purchase at the front desk of the museum

Paid Admissions
  • Adults................................ $10
  • Seniors (Over 60).......... $8
  • Students........................... $8
  • Children (6-12).............. $6
  • Family (4+)....................... $30
  • *Group Tours................... $8 per visitor
  • *School Tours.................. $6   per student
Available Discounts
  • AAA Members............... 10% off
  • Military.............................. 10% off
Free Admissions
  • CGM Members
  • NARM Members
  • Ft. Vancouver Regional Library Pass
  • Libraries of Eastern Oregon Pass
  • Richland Library System Pass
*Groups of 10 or more are requested to schedule a reservation
*Teachers, bus drivers, and one chaperone per 10 students are free with school tours. Each additional chaperone costs $6.

Host An Event To Remember

Are you looking to host an office party, wedding, birthday party, class reunion, or maybe just a great get together? If so we would love to host it.

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The museum boasts thousands of square feet of available space including a meeting room, theater, large outdoor patio, as well as the Grand Gallery. Our staff would love to show you the space and help make your event one to remember.

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