For centuries, artists have been fascinated by the human body. Some, like Michelangelo depicted the naked body for the beauty of its construction. Other artists, Titian comes to mind, have used nudity to illustrate eroticism.

In the past, the Pend Oreille Arts Council has been reluctant to include nude art in its exhibits, but that is about to change. With the theme, “All Things Undressed” art that fits that category will be on display starting Friday, May 6 at POAC Gallery, 302 North First Avenue. The artists’ reception will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“We were interested in showcasing the vulnerability and strength of both the subjects and the artists,” said POAC’s Arts Administrator Hannah Combs. “It’s also about how much skill it takes to draw or sculpt the human figure.”

In the front gallery, the work titled “The Declining Nude” by Terrel Jones will be on display. This body of work (pun intended) is created about and for women of a certain age who have gone through life’s challenges that have contributed to the decline of their body.

“These courageous ladies are intelligent, ambitious, spirited, and willing to expose themselves, determined to live life to the fullest, and refuse to be invisible,” Jones said. “Women of quality, they have the wisdom to know that they are beautiful people.”

Also exhibiting are Lesley Gadsby, Carrie Scozzaro, Cynthia Sue Oliver, Ed Robinson, Karen Robinson, Vickie Edwards, Alexandra Iosub, Nellie Lutzwolf, Lisa Turner, Lacy Shockey, Lori Halcro, Eli Sevenich, Steve Gevurtz, Lisa Cirac, Tom Kramer, Randy Wilhelm, Lindsey Falciani, Barbara J. Cannon, Lisa Cirac and Robens Napolitan.

Although this exhibit is not in any way pornographic, POAC’s board wants the public to know that if they may be offended by art that portrays the human body in its entirety, to please not attend.

This exhibit will continue until June 3.

Information: www.artinsandpoint.org or 208-263-6139