Bonner County students have so much talent it takes three galleries to exhibit their works.

Opening Friday, Feb. 7, as part of Pend Oreille Arts Council’s First Friday art shows, an artists’ reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the POAC Gallery, 110 Main St.; Columbia Bank Community Plaza, 231 N. Third Ave.; and the Old Power House, 120 E. Lake St.

The 23rd annual Student Art Show includes Sandpoint High School students exhibiting at the POAC Gallery. Taught by Ezra Stafford and Zabrielle Dillon, these developing artists will exhibit their best efforts in diverse medium and genres.

The show continues at the Old Power House Gallery and will feature the work of Lake Pend Oreille High School students taught by Randy Wilhelm, Forrest E. Bird Charter School students taught by Holly Walker, and Clark Fork High School students taught by Amy Stephenson. These exhibits provide a unique opportunity to showcase the artistic talents of Bonner County teens who have worked hard all year.

Also working hard all year are elementary school children who participate in Kaleidoscope. Since its start in 1986, Pend Oreille Arts Council has partnered with Community Assistance League to provide art education to students in Bonner County elementary schools who lack in-school art classes.

Students in grades three through six are engaged in hands-on art classes taught by specially trained volunteers. Thanks to the help of generous sponsors, POAC has brought quality art classes into five area schools that might not otherwise have this opportunity.

You can catch a glimpse of the multi-faceted program by visiting Columbia Bank Community Plaza to view the work created by these gifted young artists.

First Friday continues at Pend d’Oreille Winery with an exhibition of Alison Barrows-Young’s amazing paintings. The artist reception will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

“I have come to believe that I require art,” Barrows-Young says on her webpage. “For me art is a compelling way of life, it promotes essential self-expression as well as inter-relational and intercultural connection. It is for me the most powerful way to articulate my quandaries as well as my discoveries, passions and dreams.”

But, wait! There’s more.

Drop into Allstate Insurance Company on Cedar Street to see the incredible work of Doug Fluckiger, then go to Burl Wood Dreams on First Avenue to see Corey Obenauer’s work followed by ArtWorks Gallery, an artist cooperative that will also be open and don’t miss True Art Studio’s show featuring Karen Trueblood.

First Friday events are free and open to the public. POAC encourages everyone to take the opportunity to view the amateur art created by our local school children and then to admire and enjoy the talents of local professional artists.