Helena event to showcase works of clay

Once again the Art Spirit Gallery has reeled in 15 top contemporary ceramists for its “Clay Invitational” show opening Friday. This year they are all past residents of the renowned Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena. Gallery owner Steve Gibbs has assembled a diversity of creative styles and firing techniques including the wood-fired, shino-glazed stoneware of Bozeman artist Rick Pope.

Another Montana artist in the show is Charles Jonas of Moiese. He’s exhibiting a uniquely shaped stoneware fountain.

Five artists participating from Helena include Chip Clawson, Robert Harrison, Sarah Jaeger, Alison Reintjes and Beth Cavener Stichter.

Clawson is showing abstract glazed earthenware and encaustic objects. Harrison explores architectural forms with his 9-inch-tall arch sculpture. Jaeger’s wax resist technique of layering color over her porcelain ware gives her “daily use” pieces luxurious surfaces. Reintjes blends art and function in her wall-hung, porcelain slip-caste groupings of “tiles” that transform to functional bowls. Stichter returns with large humanistic sculptures.

Al Tennant of Coupeville, Wash., is displaying large, wood-fired platters and vessels that have a raw, earthy feel. From Spokane, Terry Gieber is bringing massive wood-fired vessels, “Palouse platter” stoneware and “Tornado” jars, while Sandra Trujillo is showing a hand-painted porcelain tea caddy set.

Moscow, Idaho, artist Marilyn Lysohir is hanging two wall tiles and three figure forms from her “Tattooed Ladies and the Dinosaurs” series. Glenn Grishkoff of Moscow is exhibiting his multi-media brush hangings. Sandpoint’s Larry Clark is displaying a collection of brightly colored earthenware platters with a floral motif along with his salt-fired and raku vessels.

Chris Antemann of Joseph, Ore., is bringing recent porcelain figurines that expound upon cultural proverbs. Portland potter Patrick Horsley’s work consists of hand-thrown geometrical shapes that are embellished with bold designs and colors.

The invitational is sponsored by Quarry Tile Co. and runs through Sept. 7. An artists’ reception is Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 210 Sherman Ave.

The Art Spirit Gallery is part of the Second Friday Gallery Walk in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Other art venues with receptions from 5 to 8 p.m. are Frame of Mind Gallery, 119 N. Second St.; Erlendson Art Glass, 116 E. Lakeside Ave.; and Timber Stand Gallery, 210 Sherman Ave. in the Coeur d’Alene Plaza Shops.

In addition, the Angel Gallery, 423 Sherman Ave., is showing the Idaho Watercolor Society exhibit. The Devin Galleries, 507 Sherman Ave., is featuring bronze sculptures by the “Frogman.” Painter’s Chair Fine Art Gallery, 223 Sherman Ave., is showing paintings by Stephen Charles Shortridge.

Sandpoint ‘celebrates the arts’

Sandpoint is always hopping this time of year with the live concerts at Memorial Field, the self-guided ArtWalk through 20 downtown galleries and the annual Pend Oreille Arts Council Arts and Crafts Fair.

The fair returns to City Beach this weekend with 100 artists from throughout the West. Booths are open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Local and regional musicians, including Canadian champion fiddler Ivonne Hernandez, will entertain throughout the weekend. Kids’ art activities, artists’ demonstrations and food vendors round out the traditional gathering.

City Beach is on the lake in downtown Sandpoint at Beach Street off First Avenue, which is also Highway 95.

New to the mix this summer are a number of “Celebrate the Arts” activities organized by the North Idaho Arts Alliance:

• Professional and amateur artists are creating sidewalk chalk murals on Saturday near the fountain in Jeff Jones Town Square.

• The “Hot Summer Days” quilt show, with works by the Panhandle Piecemakers, is hanging in the Sandpoint Community Hall on First Avenue across from the Bonner County Courthouse. Featured quilter is Ingrid Cipriano.

• Wood workers will be demonstrating their craft on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Art Works Gallery, 309 N. First Ave. Jim Andrews will show several stages in the building of his jewelry and keeping boxes. Lowell Simonsen will use a lathe to create wood vases and bowls.

• The Timber Stand Gallery on the Cedar Street Bridge is having a silent auction that runs through Saturday. There are 20 items up for bid including a limited-edition print by the late Stephen Lyman and an original oil by representational painter Timothy Thies from Coeur d’Alene. During a wine tasting on Saturday between 4:30 and 7 p.m., artist Mike Wise will demonstrate his painting style.

Idaho open studios

As long as you’re up that way, consider taking in the free North Idaho “Self-Guided Driving Tour of Working Artists’ Studios.”

For the second summer, 25 artists in 19 locations throughout Idaho’s panhandle have opened their studios to the public through Sept. 6.

Tours of the studios are at your own pace. View a wide range of art being made including fine furniture, sculpture, paintings, calligraphy, printing, spinning/weaving, basket making and avant-garde experimental works.

Free, user-friendly brochure tour maps are available at the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, the Coeur d’Alene Resort and at rack displays in motels, restaurants and tourist locations in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. For more information call (800) 800-2106.

Other galleries

• Colville Arts Foundation is having its first Summer Fun(d) Raiser today between 4 and 9 p.m., 287 E. Astor St. at the corner of Elm and Astor. Look for work by 30 local artists and music by accordionist Jason Webley of Seattle.

• The Corner Gallery in Boswell Hall on the North Idaho College campus in Coeur d’Alene is having an opening reception today between 6 and 8 p.m. for an exhibit of “Hand Made Books” from the James Castle collection and ABBA (A Buncha Book Artists), a student group at Arizona State University. The exhibit is up through Sept. 9.

• In Moscow, Idaho, tonight beginning at 7 there is a slide lecture by Mary Ruth Smith, a textile artist and associate professor in the Department of Art at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Smith will talk on “pojagi,” a Korean quilt form. The free talk takes place in the Moscow School District 171 board room, 1051 Michigan Ave.

• Colburn’s 811 Gallery is showing Cybele Fluno’s “In Full Bloom” realistic oil paintings through Sept. 1. Meet Fluno at an opening reception on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 811 E. Sprague Ave.

• The photographs of Mardelle Shagool are being showcased at Janie’s Art and Flowers in the Spokane MarketPlace, 809 N. Washington St. Meet Shagool on Saturday at 2 p.m. Park in the south lot.

• Jeramy Hart is showing his work at the Art in the Café in Borders Books and Music, 9980 N. Newport Highway. Jonathan Nicholson will play acoustic guitar during an artist’s reception on Saturday between 7 and 9 p.m. The work is up through Aug. 28.