County Council proclaims Oct. 15, 2024, James Lee Hansen Day

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Arts Commission this week awarded its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award to Battle Ground resident James Lee Hansen. 

Joining the celebration of Hansen’s contributions to art in Clark County, the county council this week proclaimed Oct. 15, 2024, as James Lee Hansen Day. 

Hansen is a lifelong resident of Clark County, graduating from Vancouver High School in 1943. After high school, Hansen served in the United States Navy during WWII. After returning from war, Hansen enrolled in Portland Art Museum School where he honed his skills as a sculptor. While in art school, Hansen built a home, foundry and studio using lumber salvaged from the Vanport flood.

Hansen would ultimate create more than 800 sculptures working primarily in bronze. His work has been shown locally, nationally and internationally. His art has been installed in public places such as Clark College, the Portland Art Museum, the University of Oregon and other sites throughout Oregon and Washington.

Over the years, Hansen won many awards for his work and would go on to teach sculpture at Portland State University for more than 20 years.

“The Clark County Arts Commission is pleased to award the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 to the incomparable sculptor, teacher, visionary and poet, James Lee Hansen,” said Commission Chair Deborah Nagano.

Learn more about James Lee Hansen and view his art on his website https://jamesleehansen.com/. 

CONTACT:
Deborah Nagano, Chair, Clark County Arts Commission
Deborah.nagano@clarkcountyartscommission.com