Replacing the ‘necktie noose with an apron’

POAC hosts People, Places and Things art exhibition

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

For its newest installment of the First Friday series, the Pend Oreille Arts Council will host a special reception with artist Daryl Baird, welcoming his exhibition People, Places and Things. Baird will unveil his sculptures, paintings and mixed-media experiments on Friday, Sept. 5, from 5-7 p.m., at the POAC Gallery (313 N. Second Ave., in downtown Sandpoint) and the work will be on display for the remainder of the month.

“Baird is fearless in his exploration of styles and mediums. I never really know what to expect from him when it comes to subject matter or style, but I’m never disappointed,” said POAC Arts Coordinator Claire Christy.

Though Christy said local art lovers may recognize Baird’s name from POAC’s Found Fragments exhibition in 2024, attendees should expect something “completely different” from the newest showcase. Running the gamut from abstract to representational art, bare ceramics to colorful collages, Baird is constantly exploring what art means to him.

“I’ve been a casual painter all of my life, but while still working in the two-dimensional, humdrum, white-collar world, I took ceramic sculpture and pottery classes at night,” Baird wrote in his artist’s statement. “What I learned helped me make my escape from the cubicle and enter the studio. I replaced the necktie noose with an apron and went to work learning everything I could about ceramic art and the techniques used to make it.”

Baird has made a habit of throwing himself headfirst into each new medium, learning the styles and techniques of the masters before finding his own unique take on them. See the fascination and dedication the artist brings to all his pieces in person at this free opening. 

For more information, visit artinsandpoint.org.