First Friday expands to include downtown

Pend Oreille Arts Council invites the public to come downtown to celebrate First Friday on October 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Artists’ receptions will be held at Columbia Community Plaza (Third and Oak), POAC Gallery (110 Main St.) and Pend d’Oreille Winery (Third and Cedar).

At Columbia Community Plaza six local artists will be showcasing the progression of their artistic talents in a show titled “Plateau? No!” This multi-media display illustrates how changing focus can produce a whole new look.

“Many artists reach a point in their careers when they could comfortably coast along doing the same old thing,” POAC Executive Director, Hannah Combs said. “In this juried exhibit, we will feature artists who are resisting the ‘plateau’ by challenging themselves to learn a new medium, explore new subject matter, or otherwise push themselves further than they’ve ever gone before.”

At the POAC Gallery, the exhibit called “Life in Motion” continues while Catherine Earle’s work will be on display at Pend Oreille Winery. The winery has partnered with POAC for this season’s First Fridays and will continue to be a venue for exemplary local art.

Earle’s work is described as having a “sense of looking at the subject under a microscope while simultaneously viewing it in its entirety. A light seems to glow within the canvas adding to the ethereal quality of the work.”

And, to add to the fun, businesses in the Downtown Shopping District are staying open later than usual to prove that the torn up streets can’t stop a good sale. Some of the participating businesses include Sharon’s Hallmark, Azalea Handpicked Style, Carousel Emporium, Zwazo Niche, Meadowbrook, Outdoor Experience, Mary Ruth’s Gift Market, Burl Wood Dreams, Eve’s Leaves, The Pickled Kitchen, Northwest Handmade, Cabi, Bella Terra Boutique, ShakaPaw and ArtWorks.

For more information go to www.artinsandpoint.org or contact the POAC office at 208-263-6139.