Festival poster unveiling Thursday in Dover
(Courtesy photo)Robert Bissett works on a painting as a model strikes a pose. Bissett's original artwork, which will be used for the Festival at Sandpoint 2019 poster will be unveiled Thursday.
SANDPOINT — A much anticipated annual tradition takes place on Thursday, July 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Dover Bay, when The Festival at Sandpoint unveils the original artwork for the fine art poster for its 2019 concert series.
This year’s poster artist, Robert Bissett, is a Sandpoint artist well known for his paintings of landscapes and portraits, but more recently focusing his artistic energy on digital art, both 2D and 3D. He was chosen by a committee of his 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 37th annual season.
“We have been regulars at the Festival for many years, so I consider it a great honor to be selected as this year’s poster artist,” said Bissett.
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 Meg Turner & Chris Lynch, and an opportunity to meet the artist and purchase a signed 2019 fine art poster hot off the press, all while checking out the beautiful waterfront surroundings at Dover Bay.
“Dover Bay is a beautiful place to meet your fellow Festival fans, hear some music and catch the first glimpse of this beautiful artwork, so please be our guest on Thursday evening!” 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, August 1-11, at Memorial Field. In keeping with tradition, the winning bidder will be awarded the original piece of artwork during intermission at The Grand Finale concert with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and Sybarite5 on Sunday, August 11th. In addition to posters, other merchandise featuring Pederson’s artwork, including T-shirts, water bottles 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 Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Walk Off the Earth with the Shook Twins, Jackson Browne, Lake Street Dive, Avett Brothers and Spokane Symphony Orchestra with Sybarite5 conducted by Maestro Gary Sheldon. Concert tickets are available by calling 208-265-4554 or online at FestivalAtSandpoint.com.