Barry named POAC Artist of the Year
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 5 months, 1 week AGO
"Redwoods" is among the pieces created by Jenni Barry, recently named the Pend Oreille Arts Council's Artist of the Year for 2025.
Photo courtesy PEND OREILLE ARTS COUNCIL
The Pend Oreille Arts Council invites the community to celebrate local artist Jenni Barry, recently selected as its 2025 Artist of the Year.
Barry and her work will be featured at a public reception Friday, July 11, from 5-7 p.m. at the POAC Gallery, 313 N. Second Ave., downtown Sandpoint.
Known for her vibrant and heartfelt work in the rare Japanese technique of Kimekomi, Barry is on a mission to introduce this intricate and beautiful medium to a wider audience. Her collection of 14 fabric-based works will be on display through July 30, and all pieces are available for purchase. Barry also accepts commissions, including her highly sought-after pet portraits.
“I do not sew!” Barry says with a smile. “Kimekomi means to tuck into a groove. Each piece of fabric is carefully chosen and meticulously tucked into a foam-core base. The result is a one-of-a-kind piece of art that feels like a warm hug.”
Jenni’s work has been featured in Fiber Art Now and Women Create magazines, but her impact is felt most locally, through years of dedication to POAC as an artist, volunteer, and instructor. She teaches monthly Kimekomi classes at the POAC Gallery, helping others explore this unusual and expressive art form. Class information is available at artinsandpoint.org, and you can explore more of Jenni’s work at jennibarryart.com.
“Jenni has been part of POAC since before I started here,” says Claire Christy, POAC Arts Coordinator. “Her artwork is truly unique, and people are always amazed when they learn it involves no sewing. She’s incredibly skilled at capturing likenesses in fabric, especially in her pet portraits. But beyond that, Jenni is kind, gracious, and generous with her time. This recognition is long overdue. We’re lucky to have her in our community.”
This free, public reception offers a special chance to meet the artist, learn more about her work, and explore the colorful, layered world of Kimekomi. Refreshments will be served, and attendees can sign up for upcoming classes or inquire about custom commissions.
Information: artinsandpoint.org