Ridgefield has a long history of doing things well.
Good schools.
A great downtown.
We have a minor league baseball team, a little theater, a river, trails, wildlife refuge… and on and on.
We are, objectively, an above-average community.
Which is exactly why we need Bad Art Night.
On Thursday, March 26th from 6–8 p.m., The Neighborhood Refuge Bar at 113 South Main Avenue is hosting an event that asks one simple thing of you: please make something terrible.
What Even Is Bad Art Night?
Organized by the wonderfully chaotic mind behind Eva Kelley Creative, Bad Art Night is exactly what it sounds like — a celebration of creative garbage.
A love letter to people who peaked in kindergarten finger painting. A shout out to that friend that cringe’s at the invite to to your craft/journal/painting circle.
So, if you’ve ever said “I can’t even draw a stick figure,” congratulations. You are the target demographic.
Art supplies will be provided. You’re also welcome to bring your own garbage. Hot glue guns may be involved. Horrifying creations are not just permitted — they are the point.
Need ideas? May we suggest:
- A finger painting of your ex or [insert name of celebrity, politician, relative you are not a fan of] – noone will know.
- Thumbtacking used sugar packets (think raw sugar, stevia, cane…) ontop of an old painting (it’s conceptual, it’s brave, it’s probably already been sold at auction)
- Sharpies, hot glue guns, old business cards and unused canvas – there is something there right?
The Only Award You’ll Want to Lose
The evening closes with a vote. The crowd cheers. The loudest cheers go to the worst piece. And that proud creator walks away with a terrible trophy they really don’t want to take home.
It’s the participation ribbon nobody asked for, and somehow that makes it perfect.
Note: If you are the Winner Loser Winner who gets this trophy – snap a photo and share with us so we can plaster your creative crap for all to see!
The One Actually Beautiful Thing of the Night
While your canvas devolves into chaos,
The Neighborhood Refuge Bar serves cocktails —
which most likekly will be the most beautiful creations of the evening.
(This event is 21+, so leave the artistically gifted children at home.)
Details
What: Bad Art Night
When: Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: The Neighborhood Refuge | 113 South Main Avenue, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Cost: Tickets via Eventbrite (refunds available up to 7 days before the event)Age: 21+
Meanwhile in Ridgefield covers the people, places, and happenings that make our community worth living in — even when those happenings involve taped bananas and hot glue burns.
