Over the last years we have covered some controversial subjects on our radio show: North Idaho Arts and Adventure. We have discussed the need for art in our schools, we have discussed what is and is not considered art, which was a subjective proposition at best. And now we are exploring how Sandpoint and Bonner County can move forward and pave the way for the future which could lead our area to become a tourist art destination. If we think about a couple of art communities, it becomes clear how supporting the arts on a local level can lead to community-wide prosperity. Take for instance Carmel and Monterey, California. These were sleepy little fishing villages with nice views and smelly piers. To get an idea of what it was like one only has to read Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. That tome was published in 1945. Have things changed there? Not too much in the way of industry or tourism sixty or so years ago. How about Sausalito? While San Francisco a few miles south boomed, Sausalito was again a slow-moving hamlet that had beautiful scenery. Last time I went to the Sausalito Art Festival it cost $20 to enter. There was a time when it was free.

What would the city of Sandpoint do with $1,000,000 if we had 50,000 visitors to an art festival that had a $20 ticket price? One of our favorites is the Winter Park Art Festival. Been going on for 45 years, and attracts over 350,000 each year. Could we feasibly attract 20,000 or 30,000 visitors over a two or three day period? These other small towns attract many times that. These areas became artists’ havens, and the artists showed the world the wonder of their adopted homes. The areas became famous, their economies boomed, and while they did not grow stupendously, they prospered greatly. We are very much like these towns in the early years of their art movements. Artists here are fantastically great and we are at a crossroads. We can either get behind this idea and create another great art enclave, or not. I don’t like to think what North Idaho would be like without our natural beauty and majesty. What would we be like without art?

We have several events coming up that deal with art in our community over the summer. Here are some of the majors:

May 17-19 Lost in the ’50s. The weekend when Sandpoint goes retro, with hundreds of cars in the vintage car parade and show, plus dance shows and concerts from the `50s and `60s, a street dance, a car rally and fun run.

June 15 – 16 Plein Air Paint Out - What is Plein Air you ask? The Art Dictionary defines en Plein Aire as French for plain air, or more literally, in open air, which is what you enjoy when painting outdoors like the Impressionists. Applied to landscape artists working directly from nature, it seems so natural these days, yet there was a time when the landscape was viewed as a hostile and dangerous place to be avoided. Leonardo urging artists to study nature with direct observation was revolutionary at the time, and all artists working outdoors owe him a debt of gratitude.

June 22-July 27 ArtWalk I. Each summer, Pend Oreille Arts Council coordinates Artwalk, an exhibition of art by local and regional artists in approximately 20 locations in downtown Sandpoint. During the opening receptions for Artwalk I and II, locations provide beverages and hors d'oeuvres, and live music in some venues. Outdoor sculpture will also on display in various locations along the Artwalk. During the summer, the public can pick up an Artwalk brochure at any participating location or at the Chamber of Commerce and take a self-guided walking tour of the displays. Opening Receptions will be at all locations in downtown Sandpoint, June 22, 5:30-8:30 pm

Self-guided art tours for the first exhibit continue through July 18. Look up artinsandpoint.org to learn more. 208-263-6139

July 27-Sept. 10 ArtWalk II. The second of two revolving art exhibits opens

August 2-12 25th Annual Festival at Sandpoint - Internationally renowned concert series on the lawn at Memorial Field alongside beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. The acts feature national artists playing music across the spectrum, from classical to country, blues to world music offerings. 208-265-4554

August 11-12 Arts & Crafts Fair - POAC's 35th annual juried art exhibit at City Beach, with 100 booths of all-original, handmade artwork, kids activities, entertainment, artist demonstrations and more. 208-263-6139

2006 Artists’ Studio Tour of N. Idaho (ASTI) 10 am – 5 pm Daily