A brush with home: Scherr honored for decades of painting North Idaho

SANDPOINT — For decades, artist Connie Scherr has captured the beauty of North Idaho with paintings that are instantly recognizable for their expressive brushwork, luminous color and unmistakable sense of place.

This July, the Pend Oreille Arts Council is celebrating the longtime artist with a solo exhibition in recognition of her selection as the organization’s 2026 Artist of the Year.

The exhibition, “Artist of the Year: Connie Scherr,” will be showcased at the POAC Gallery, 313 N. Second Ave., Sandpoint, through the end of the month.

Featuring works created over the past several years, the exhibition showcases Scherr's impressionistic oil paintings inspired by the landscapes of North Idaho. From the shores of Lake Pend Oreille to the slopes of Schweitzer and the quiet beauty of the surrounding countryside, her paintings invite viewers to experience familiar places through her vibrant use of color, light and atmosphere.

A lifelong artist, Scherr was born in Minneapolis and raised in Southern California before making North Idaho her home in 1977.

It was after working primarily in watercolor for more than three decades that Scherr switched to oils, developing the expressive alla prima style that has become her signature. Whether painting en plein air or working from photographs and memory in her studio, Scherr allows emotion and intuition to guide each composition, often emphasizing the feeling of a place as much as its physical appearance.

Many longtime Sandpoint residents have likely encountered Scherr's work over the years through the Artists' Studio Tour, the Schweitzer Artists' Studio Gallery, POAC exhibitions, and even as a Festival at Sandpoint poster artist. Her paintings often preserve beloved local scenes, including historic landmarks that no longer exist, giving viewers a sense of nostalgia while celebrating the region's enduring beauty.

Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Scherr has been a dedicated member of the Pend Oreille Arts Council for many years. She is a longtime artist member, a regular participant in the Artists' Studio Tour, and a volunteer who has generously supported POAC events, including the annual Arts & Crafts Fair. Known for her warmth, kindness and joyful spirit, she has become a cherished member of the local arts community.

The Artist of the Year honor recognizes not only Scherr's outstanding body of work, but also her lasting contributions to the arts in Sandpoint and North Idaho. Visitors are invited to meet the artist during the opening reception and experience a collection that reflects both the timeless beauty of the region and the artist who has spent decades interpreting it on canvas.

Scherr's work will be on display at the POAC Gallery throughout July. Gallery admission is free. 

Call the POAC Gallery at 208-263-6139 for more information or visit artinsandpoint.org.

    Connie Scherr poses with one of her impressionistic oil paintings. The longtime Bonner County artist was selected by the Pend Oreille Arts Council as its 2026 Artist of the Year.