Local artists shine at Garden of Artistry Fine Art Show

By Scout Anatricia
Reader Intern

It’s not uncommon to hear Sandpoint described as an art town. Regional artist Gabe Gabel wants to reinforce that reputation through her work, and the Garden of Artistry Invitational Fine Art Show is a part of those efforts.

“Kayaker on the Clark Fork Delta” by Karen Robinson.

Gabel has been the show director of the art show for the past four years that it has been in existence. She not only directs and organizes with her daughter, T. Kurtz, as manager, but also contributes by holding a booth for her bronze sculptures.

The Pend Oreille Garden Center is hosting the show again this year. It serves as a wonderful venue with its beautiful setting and abundance of parking. Opening reception is on Friday, July 24 and the show continues through to the July 26.

The fine art show is by invitation only. In order to have a booth at the Pend Oreille Garden Center, an artist must go through a screening committee. Gabel’s encourages new artists to enter—after all, it’s a great opportunity to showcase and sell pieces.

In past years, there have been up to 36 artists attending the show, and there are hopes to get those numbers up to the 40 to 50 range. As well as new and upcoming artists, there are also national and even a few international artists who will be attending. Around 80 percent of the craftspersons are professional, according to Gabel, and she describes it as a “tremendous pool of artists.” Some have been with the show since the beginning, such as Bob Walton, Nancy Russell, Terry Lee and many more, while others will be new to the show this year. These include Steve Patton, Lora Metz, Sandra Hiller and many others. It is estimated that there will be 30 to 40 booths this year, so be sure to stop by and either check out one of your old favorites or find a new one!

Not only is there a wide variation of artists but also an incredible spectrum of art mediums and styles. From booths full of anime to impressionistic paintings to sculptures, the show offers customer a plethora of options and only three days to make a purchase. Attending and purchasing art from the art show not only benefits your home décor and the artist, but it also raises local and regional support for the arts. All along, that has been Gabel’s main goal.

As well as purchasing art, visitors can also sign up for classes and workshops that many of the artists offer. The idea is to not only sell but also to promote the act of creating art and spreading it throughout the community. Gabels said that “anything that helps bring the reputation of art back into this town is helpful and beneficial.”

This opportunity given to us by the Garden Center is a positive asset not only to the artists but to the area communities as well.

Pend Oreille Arts Council is hosting this year’s opening reception, and the public is encouraged to attend, no tickets necessary.

If you are interested in putting a new piece of art in your home and supporting area artists then be sure to stop by The Garden of Artistry Invitational Fine Art Show on Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and then attend opening reception from 6-8 p.m. The following day, the show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For additional information, contact the show director, Gabe Gabel, at (208) 265-9613 or the show manager, T. Kurtz, at (208) 255- 8813.