New Art Spirit exhibits celebrate summer, community, craftsmanship
Just one day after the Fourth of July festivities, the Art Spirit Gallery — celebrating its 29th year — will invite the community to kick off summer with the opening of two new exhibits.
An artist talk and opening reception will be held for “Summer Color” and "Finer Things" at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"Summer Color," in the Elevated Gallery, features the works of artists Hannah Spencer and Louise Telford.
Spencer, of North Fork, Idaho, is a self-taught woodblock artist whose love of nature and the Western landscape is reflected in her bold black-and-white prints. Growing up sailing and exploring New York’s natural beauty, Spencer now lives off-grid by the Salmon River, where she continues to draw inspiration from her surrounding wild landscape. Her work emphasizes traditional, handcrafted techniques, creating a sense of timeless connection to nature.
Telford, of Post Falls, is a passionate glass artist and former student of Pilchuk Glass School. Her work features vibrant, layered, fused glass pieces, ranging from functional sushi plates to jewelry and sculptures. Her dedication to craftsmanship and the beauty of glass shines through her intricate, light-reflecting designs. Outside her studio, Telford balances her art with her work as a respiratory therapist. Her pieces are widely collected across the country.
"Finer Things" features the works of six artists from North Idaho and beyond, celebrating craftsmanship, emotion and the beauty found in everyday moments.
Artist Tyson Soth is a passionate luthier who crafts guitars inspired by personal resilience and craftsmanship. Sara Taylor is a fluid artist and YouTuber whose pour paintings reflect her life, motherhood and emotional stories. Montana native James Bason is known for creating serene landscapes that capture the quiet, expansive beauty of rural life. Self-taught painter Austin Frantz explores the divine and inner journeys through nature-inspired oil works. Meidi Karampour, a Master of Fine Arts, blends figurative and abstract scenes that celebrate ordinary moments and cultural richness. Charlie Knapp is a veteran ceramist whose clay forms balance meditation, physicality and artistic expression.
The artist talk will feature Telford, Soth, Taylor and Frantz.
Both shows run through July 27.
The Art Spirit Gallery is at 415 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene.
Info: theartspiritgallery.com
"Midnight Sun," clay by Charlie Knapp.