A small army of volunteers will transform the Ocean Shores Convention Center into an art galley displaying more than 600 pieces at the Fine Art, 3D and Photography Juried and Open Art Show, Friday through Sunday, April 27-29.

One of the oldest active non-profits on the North Coast, Associated Arts of Ocean Shores (AAOS) produces the annual free event, now in its 48th year. It runs 12-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

While attracting entries from across the US and occasionally beyond, the event has become known as a showcase for artists throughout the Pacific Northwest. The show includes a dozen artists booths, with many “artists in action” throughout the weekend. Almost all of the art exhibited is for sale.

Art is entered and judged in six categories: juried fine art and photography, open fine art, photography and 3D art, and youth art. The show offers more than $6,000 in cash awards.

The fine arts divisions offer work in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, pen and pencil and mixed media. Photography includes film, digital and electronic media. The 3D art category, which includes fiber art, wood carvings, metal, stained glass, sculpture, leather works and more, was added a few years back. AAOS president Ed Schroll said it is “still an open division; we’re trying to build it.”

The youth division currently works with North Beach Jr./Sr. High School, and recently showed 62 pieces at the Ocean Shores Public Library. All of those will be judged in the Convention Center show.

Entries are closed for the juried divisions but will be accepted in all three open divisions until 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 25. Those that have not already been sent to the Convention Center should be hand delivered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The annual event “is our gift to the community,” Schroll said. The organization also gives the local schools several thousand dollars in art supplies each year and offers scholarships as well.

Schroll, in his fifth year leading AAOS, is the show chair and also heads the fine arts division. Vicki Schmidt and Pam Tuttle are show co-chairs, Loni Lou LaQuill is the photography chair, Sue Tucker is the 3D chair and Kathy Harris is the youth chair. Artist Paul (P.R.) Daneker, from Buckley is the fine arts and 3D judge. Stuart May, who owns Fusions Gallery, is the photography judge.

More information is available online at www.associatedarts.org.

April’s final events

• Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival, April 27-29: Hoquiam and Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, with field trips to Ocean Shores, Tokeland, Grayland, Westport, and Huynisisoos (Quinault Indian Nation), and lectures and speakers all three days. Registration during event at Hoquiam Middle School, or Friday starting at 7 a.m. at Grays Harbor NWR office on Airport Way. Online atwww.shorebirdfestival.com.

• High Rollin’ Hot Rods, April 27-28: Ninth annual classic car show sponsored by pushrods.org with $3,000 in cash and prizes, a poker run on Friday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m., and Lance Lambert, host of the Vintage Vehicle Show and author. At Quinault Beach Resort & Casino.

May

5: Savor Seabrook Seafood & Wine Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 8th annual festival of wine tasting paired with savory seafood bites is one of Seabrook’s most popular events. Live music by Ericka Corban, Redwood Son and Mountainess. Tickets are $25.

10: Youth Fishing Derby, sponsored by Ocean Shores Elks Club at North Bay Park on Duck Lake in Ocean Shores. Prizes for biggest fish; kids pool, entertainment and picnic. One of the biggest kids fishing events in the region.

12: Seabrook Syttende Mai Parade on Saturday, May 12, celebrating Norwegian Constitution Day and raising money for the Dorothy Anderson Cabin Fund at the Museum of the North Beach. 10:30 a.m.

13: Youth Fishing Derby, sponsored by Ocean Shores Elks Club at North Bay Park on Duck Lake in Ocean Shores. (360) 289-9586. Prizes for biggest fish, boat rides available for youth, kids pool, entertainment and picnic. One of the biggest kids fishing events in the region.

12-13: “Running with Scissors” craft shows will be coming to Ocean Shores Mother’s Day weekend, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day at the Convention Center.

25-27: Expo at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, including trade show, ice sculpture, Memorial Day weekend ceremony with flag presentation from VFW Post 8956.

June

1-2: Hood To Coast Washington is back for its second relay run covering 78 miles from Hood Canal and ending at the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of runners expected to partipate.

2: Wearable Art Show at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, www.oswearableart.com.

2-3: Grays Harbor Festival of Colors kite flying weekend on the beach north of the Damon Road beach approach. Sponsored and organized by Ocean Shores Kites (oceanshoreskites.com). Call (360) 289-4103 for more information.

9: Flag Day Parade, through downtown Ocean Shores, starting at the city gates and ending at the Convention Center. Biggest Flag Day parade in Western Washington, (360) 289-2314 to participate or for more information.

22-24: Sand & Sawdust Festival, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center and on the main Ocean Shores Beach south of Chance a la Mer beach approach. Sand sculpting competition and chainsaw artist auctions daily.

July

27-29: Bikers at the Beach motorcycle event at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, with Hog Wild Weekend also ongoing simultaneously at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino.

August

11: Ocean Shores Woof-a-Thon. Annual event honoring our pets and raising funds and awareness for animal welfare. At North Bay High School, with dog walk on the track Games, sporting events and demonstrations, and auction. Online at www.oceanshoreswoofathon.org.

11-12: Body and Soul Festival. Learn all about a natural and homeopathic way of life. At the Ocean Shores Lions Club on Ocean Shores Boulevard.

17-19: 12’s Fan Fest and Beach Party in Ocean Shores, with events at the Convention Center, around town and at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino. Largest preseason gathering of Seahawks fans, www.12sfanfest.com.

18: Gnome & Fairy Festival at Seabrook. A day of enchantment and outdoor play for the whole family, face painting, games, crafts and live animal encounters. Starts at 11 a.m.

Aug. 31-Sept. 2: AAOS Arts & Crafts Festival at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, www.associatedarts.org. Visit one of Western Washington’s largest indoor and outdoor handmade arts and crafts fair. Thousand of unique items are showcased by gifted artists and talented craftspeople. Admission is free.

Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Annual Kelpers Festival and Shake Rat Rendezvous, featuring tug of war competition between Moclips and Pacific Beach, kid’s parade, full parade in Pacific Beach on Sunday, and various logging competitions.

September

1: Ocean Shores Paddleathon. Saturday, Sept. 1. Oyhut Bay Seaside Village Canal. For kayak, canoe, and rowing enthusiasts. All Skill levels are welcome. Human-powered boat activities on the lakes and canals of Ocean Shores. Race, Poker Paddle, picnic, seminars and the latest in paddling gear at end-of-season prices.

21-23: Whale of Quilt Show at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, (509) 715-9082 for information.

October

6: Big Foot Brew Festival at Seabrook, for craft beer enthusiasts, with some of the regions’ best breweries featured from noon to 5 p.m.

16-21: Irish Music Festival. The West Coast’s largest Irish music festival: 6 stages, 3 venues, including Galway Bay and the Convention Center in Ocean Shores, and 30 great bands. Come tip a pint and kick up your heels. For more information and a schedule visit www.galwaybayevents.com

November

3-4: Run From the Rain Indoor Kite Fly in Ocean Shores, sponsored by Ocean Shores Kites (oceanshoreskites.com). Call (360) 289-4103 for more information.

23-25: Winter Fanta-Sea pre-Christmas festival of holiday gifts and vendors, Ocean Shores Convention Center, (360) 289-9586.

Arnold Samuels photo: The juried art display from a past AAOS Fine Art, 3D and Photography Juried and Open Art Show.