Art Spirit invites guests to check out art for two weeks

COEUR d’ALENE — Tired of staring at the same old things on your walls while you're stuck inside?

Feeling a little blasé about your living space?

The Art Spirit Gallery in downtown Coeur d'Alene wants to add some color and creativity to everyone’s life through an innovative art loan program.

"This work was created to be loved and enjoyed and celebrated, and just because you can’t come here to do that, we can't gather together, doesn't mean you can’t have it on your walls," gallery owner Blair Williams said Thursday. "You can just stop in and we’ll show you to our collections."

Art-seekers can check out a piece of Art Spirit inventory for two weeks when they provide a valid driver's license and credit card for the gallery to keep on file until the art is returned. The program is free.

Williams said the program has existed "behind the scenes," as Art Spirit has previously allowed people interested in a piece of art to take it home and give it a whirl for a few days.

"I don't ever want you to wake up from something you get from our gallery and go 'Eh,'" Williams said. "I want you to wake up and go 'Yes! This speaks to me!'"

Art Spirit is reserving the right to say no if an item is too fragile or cumbersome, but Williams said those items make up only a tiny percent of the gallery's inventory. She encourages guests to come take a look and imagine the possibilities.

"We’ve got sculptures you can take home and enjoy, some paintings you can take home and enjoy," she said. "We, like so many other businesses, are making this up as we go along. Every day, every hour, we're looking deeper and differently at what our future holds. What do we have? What can we offer our community at this time? Check out a piece of art, enjoy it for two weeks and love it."

The Art Spirit is at 415 Sherman Ave. and is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Visit www.theartspiritgallery.com or call 765-6006 for information.