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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A slice of sophistication


Pam Martin, along with her husband, Jim, established the Entree Gallery in Nordman 30 years ago.
 (Mike Brodwater / The Spokesman-Review)
Mike Brodwater Correspondent

Downtown Coeur d’Alene has become known for excellent art galleries and Sandpoint has a reputation as being an “art town,” with several galleries and artists in residence. But if the town of Nordman, near Priest Lake and close to the Canadian border, doesn’t strike you as a hotbed of artistic talent, then you’ve never been to Entree Gallery. It’s a reputable, genuine outlet for artists’ work found regionally and in North Idaho.

The gallery started humbly in 1977 in the garage of Pam and Jim Martin. Jim Martin worked in the timber industry and as the gallery got established, the Martins named it En “tree” in honor of the many pine trees in the Priest Lake area. Over the years they enlarged and remodeled the garage and recently added more space to their business. Now the gallery represents more than 120 artists.

The collection defines the word eclectic. The gallery offers a wide variety of works ranging from oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings to sculpture, clay, glass, jewelry, textiles and handcrafted furniture.

The selection of interesting and unique items displayed here makes it a fun experience. For example, two artists from Post Falls have teamed to produce metal lawn ornaments on display in the gallery. Rolph Hebert and Nicola McGowen have combined talents to produce and sell metal wall and outdoor sculptures. They collaborate on the design, cutting, welding and plasma.

Terry Lee, a well-known painter from Coeur d’Alene will join Hebert and McGowen at an artists’ reception on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. that is part of an anniversary celebration. Lee, an internationally known artist who paints in oil, features large, very colorful animals in his contemporary work. He is represented at 12 galleries throughout the U.S., and has been displaying at the Entree for the past two years.

Also on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., there will be a wine-tasting artist reception at Hills Resort. A Ross Hall collection of black-and-white photography from the 1920s-1960s will be presented by Dann Hall. Basel Cellars will be featuring a wine tasting, and Hills will be offering hors d’oeuvres, with music by Mike Wagoner. RSVP the Entree Gallery at 443-2001.

The Entree Gallery in the north woods near Priest Lake offers carefully selected, quality items designed and created by local and regional artists. This short weekend drive can be a fun, easy way to start the fall season in North Idaho.