Art Chowder March | April, Issue 26 | Page 54

UNKNOWN LOCALS. Also on the drawing board is producing an original play in collaboration with a local theater production company, Unknown Locals. This play will depict a significant event or figure in history, or a currently relevant issue or concept. Auditions and casting will precede an ambitious rehearsal schedule in preparation for four exceptional performances next spring. VISUAL ARTS. Pend Oreille Arts Council’s Visual Arts Committee works tirelessly to bring value to our member artists by providing opportunities for the public to view their work and, hopefully, to purchase extraordinary art. They also oversee POAC’s Kaleidoscope program that brings hands-on art education to all the elementary schools in Bonner County who don’t have their own art teacher. KALEIDOSCOPE. At least once a month third to sixth graders are taught the fundamentals of visual arts by volunteer teachers. In partnership with the Community Assistance League, POAC’s coordinator develops and teaches the curriculum that the volunteer instructors share with the children. In the spring, POAC exhibits the children’s artwork so family and friends can see their artistic progress. ART WALK. Each June, POAC turns at least twenty downtown Sandpoint businesses into art galleries. The walk- around reception is a favorite with locals and visitors alike with live music and refreshments all over town. Artists are keen to show off their recently completed paintings, sculptures, jewelry, fiber art and objets d’art and the locals eat it up. 54 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR. All handmade items fill booths downtown during the second weekend in August. From yard art to fine art and everything in between, this fair has something for everyone, literally. Four city streets are blocked off to accommodate the crafters and artists who showcase their wares in the most unusual ways. POAC has been organizing the Arts and Crafts Fair for forty-eight years and it only gets better with age. A true family-fun event, the Kaleidoscope Kids Booth welcomes children under twelve to try their hand at arts and craft projects and to get their faces painted while mom and dad go shopping.