Festival reveals ‘Shadow Serenade’ as 2026 fine art poster

July 15, 2026

By Reader Staff

The Festival at Sandpoint has selected artist Cyndie Hammond’s “Shadow Serenade” as this year’s Summer Series fine art poster. The original piece will be on display until Friday, July 24 at the Festival’s office (525 Pine St., in Sandpoint), after which it will move to the concert’s merch booth Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, Aug. 9 at War Memorial Field.

Hammond is a third-generation North Idahoan, and spent her career working as a special education and fifth-grade teacher throughout the area, before serving as executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Baccalaureate Center for Lewis-Clark State College. She now focuses on her grandchildren and her art, spending as many as 45 hours on a single piece, using between two and 20 layers of colored pencil.

Festival at Sandpoint 2026 Fine Arts Poster artist Cyndie Hammond poses with her winning piece, “Shadow Serenade,” at the unveiling event on July 7. Photo by Racheal Baker

“Memories and joy underpin all my pieces, especially this one,” stated Hammond. “My work is an invitation to the viewer, a visual feast of exuberant color and light to evoke personal memories, the warm, often forgotten snapshots of happiness, comfort and celebration.”

“Shadow Serenade” remains up for auction at fasfineartposter.ggo.bid until Aug. 9, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit’s educational and community outreach.

“My work is an act of meticulous building, where layers of brilliant color accumulate to form surfaces that pulse with energy and optimism,” stated Hammond. “By pouring this heartfelt intention into every stroke, I hope to connect the viewer to the profound, enduring embrace of joy, not as a fleeting moment, but as a rich, layered and resonant experience.”

See more of her art at @cjhammondart on Instagram.