POAC Gallery presents 'Light & Life' exhibit
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 3 days, 3 hours AGO
"Devotion," a work by Jenny Benoit, is among about a dozen original works by the artist that are included in a new POAC exhibit, "Light & Life: A Collection of Works by Jenny Benoit."
Courtesy photo
The Pend Oreille Arts Council Gallery will present "Light & Life: A Collection of Works by Jenny Benoit," opening Friday, Oct. 2, with a reception from 5–7 p.m. The exhibition will feature approximately a dozen original works by Benoit, none of which have previously been exhibited at the POAC Gallery.
A former POAC Artist of the Year, Benoit was honored with the title in 2023. Her newest collection showcases the remarkable range of her acrylic painting, with subjects spanning wildlife, horses, flowers, landscapes, and the natural world. While her subject matter varies, her work is consistently distinguished by its luminous quality and careful attention to light, atmosphere, and detail.
Benoit's artistic practice is deeply rooted in her connection to the Northwest landscape. She describes her work as exploring "the quiet, powerful ways we are all connected to the earth, to each other, and to something deeper we can feel but can't always name." Her paintings often explore the relationship between animals and their environments, inviting viewers to pause and look more closely.
Working primarily in acrylic, Benoit sometimes incorporates sculpting mediums and unconventional materials such as clay, gel, pumice, and crushed crystal into her paintings. These layers create subtle texture and dimension, allowing her work to reveal new details upon closer inspection.
With degrees in visual communication/graphic design, studio art, and a minor in art history from UC Davis, Benoit brings both formal artistic training and an intuitive approach to her work. She describes her process simply as doing "what feels right," allowing each painting to develop through a combination of intention, experimentation, and instinct.
Benoit has been creating art since childhood and has continued to develop a distinctive voice inspired by the forests, mountains, wildlife, and changing light of the Northwest. Her work can be found in private collections and has been exhibited in gallery settings.
"Light & Life" will be on display at the POAC Gallery through Oct. 31.
The public is invited to meet Jenny Benoit and celebrate the opening of the exhibition at the free opening reception on Friday, October 2, from 5–7 p.m. at the POAC Gallery, located at 313 N Second Ave. in Sandpoint.
For more information, contact the Pend Oreille Arts Council at 208-263-6139 or visit the POAC Gallery during regular gallery hours, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.