Celebrating our 20th Year!

Our Humble Beginnings

In 2007, an extraordinary artist, Laura Janes, founded Art Camp.

Laura is a painter who has made her living as an artist for over three decades. The first half of 2025 saw her create an 8’ x 16’ mural for the Astoria Public Library. She was the Artist in Residence for De Benneville Pines for over 8 years, creating Art Camp in the process.

After achieving her dream of living in Astoria, she has become involved in the arts community there. She serves on the Board of the Arts Council of Clatsop County and volunteers once a month as a gallery docent for Astoria Visual Arts. Her watercolor paintings of things in and around Astoria can be seen at Port Hopper in downtown Astoria. Recently she has illustrated a book, “Where does the River Start” for author Arline LaMear.

Beginning her training at San Diego State University she went on to careers in teaching, sales and small business before finally surrendering to the need to be a full-time painter.

She has been on the Board of Directors of the Artists Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum as well as the President of the Interior Design Society of Palm Springs and Board of Director member of the ASID Chapters in Palm Springs and Portland.

Laura will be attending Art Camp 2026 and leading a workshop!

Paying tribute where tribute is due, Camp’s second dean, Betsy Gilpin volunteered for over a decade leading our retreat thru the Art Groove days. She did an outstanding job of growing and building a thriving community of artists!

Still volunteering as assistant dean, Betsy is in charge of our Art Show on our final day. Pick up a rock and paint it with Betsy on a workshop afternoon.

Take a special look at the pediments on the cabin exteriors, and all the faux painted interiors around camp that she painted. Exceptional!

So talented and creative, Betsy is an active artist at The Off Track Gallery in Encinitas, Ca. She specializes in watercolor of nature.