Festival poster unveiling today

DOVER — A much anticipated annual tradition takes place today from 5-7 p.m. at Dover Bay, when The Festival at Sandpoint unveils the original artwork for the fine art poster for its 2018 concert series.

This year’s poster artist, Judy Pederson, is a Sandpoint watercolorist best known for the special passion she has to give life to great old buildings, homesteads and beautiful mountain scenery. She was chosen by a committee of her artistic peers made up of the Festival’s past poster artists, made up of the Festival’s past poster artists, to create a piece of original artwork for the Festival at Sandpoint’s 36th annual season.

The original artwork will be unveiled at a reception that is open to the public and includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres catered by Dish at Dover Bay, a no-host bar, live music by Baregrass, and an opportunity to meet the artist and purchase a signed 2018 fine art poster hot off the press.

“Dover Bay is a beautiful place to come after work to see your friends, hear some music and catch the first glimpse of this beautiful artwork, so please be our guest tonight,” said Festival Executive Director Dyno Wahl.

The artist will be on hand to sign posters and silent bidding will begin for the original artwork that is donated by the artist to benefit the non-profit Festival at Sandpoint. Bidding continues through The Festival’s summer concert series, Aug. 2-12, at Memorial Field. In keeping with tradition, the winning bidder will be awarded the artwork at The Grand Finale concert with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra on Aug. 12.

In addition to posters, other merchandise featuring Pederson’s artwork, including T-shirts and note cards, will be available at the Festival’s merchandise booth throughout the Festival season.

The annual summer concert series draws approximately 20,000 people annually from Sandpoint and the surrounding region including Washington, Montana, Oregon, Canada and beyond, for two weeks of eclectic concerts under the stars, on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. This year’s musical line-up stars Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Amos Lee, ZZ Top, Greensky Bluegrass, Sublime with Rome, Phillip Phillips, Gavin DeGraw, and The Spokane Symphony Orchestra conducted by maestro Gary Sheldon. Concert tickets are available by calling 208-265-4554 or online at www.FestivalAtSandpoint.com.