POAC hosting preview of Artists' Studio Tour

The Pend Oreille Arts Council is inviting the community to get a first look at this year’s Artists’ Studio Tour with a special preview exhibition Friday.

Held at the POAC Gallery, 313 N. Second Ave., the exhibition opening will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. This free event gives art lovers a chance to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and plan their route for one of Sandpoint’s most beloved annual art experiences.

The exhibition features artworks from each of the 20 participating artists, representing a wide range of styles and media. There is everything from painting and pottery to fiber art and intricately carved gourds. Most pieces will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting both the artists and POAC’s local arts education programs.

“We have such a rich variety of artists this year,” Claire Christy, arts coordinator for POAC, said. “Each one has a completely unique style, and it’s exciting to see that all together in one space before the tour weekend.”

This year’s tour includes 20 artists at 16 stops, with some studios shared between creatives. The tour spans from Sandpoint to Sagle and beyond, offering a self-guided exploration of the artist studios, homes, and gardens that make this region so visually inspiring. “There’s something magical about seeing not just the art, but the environment that shapes it,” Christy said. “You really get to peek inside the ‘artist brain.’”

Artists taking part in the 2025 tour include: 

Jenni Barry, 1812 White Mountain Road, Naples; Lynn Gardner, 1420 Center Valley Road, Sandpoint; Molly Gentry, 1132 Michael Lane, Sandpoint; Devon Chapman, 284 Perch Bay Lane, Sandpoint; Alison Barrows-Young, 323 N First Avenue, second floor, Sandpoint; 

Barry Burgess, 1611 Spruce Street, Sandpoint; Ed Robinson, 184 Larch Street, Sandpoint; Lucy West, 639 Cliffs Above Contest Point Lane, Sagle; Larry Clark, 333 Birch Haven Drive, Sagle; Connie Scherr, 333 Birch Haven Drive, Sagle; 

Don Fisher, 535 Comeback Bay Lane, Sagle; Susan Gallo, 186 Gallop Circle, Sagle;  Jessie Watt, 745 Gallop Circle, Sagle; Daris Judd, 745 Gallop Circle, Sagle; Eileen Marcotte, 498 Rocky Road, Sagle; 

Mary Gayle Young, 498 Rocky Road, Sagle; Linda Gue, 1705 Garfield Bay Road, Sagle; Ronald Gue, 1705 Garfield Bay Road, Sagle; Kim Powers, 6095 Dufort Road, Sagle; and Lori Salisbury, 135 Artist Way, Sagle.

Brochures with the full studio tour map will be available at the opening and can also be picked up at the POAC Gallery starting Friday, Aug. 1.

The Artists’ Studio Tour will take place Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-31. Full details can be found at ArtInSandpoint.ORG/artist-studio-tour.

    Above, a work by Daris Judd, one of the artists taking part in the 2025 Artists Studio Tour, scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-31.
  

    Lucy West is among the artists taking part in the 2025 Artists Studio Tour, scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-31.