Sandpoint’s POAC Debuts ‘Confluence: Six Women in Contemporary Practice’ in First Friday Series
Pend Oreille Arts Council Opens New Exhibition Featuring Six Local Female Artists in Idaho
SANDPOINT, Idaho — The Pend Oreille Arts Council is showcasing the work of six local female artists in its newest First Friday Series installment, Confluence: Six Women in Contemporary Practice, which opened Friday, May 1 with a public reception at the POAC Gallery at 313 N. Second Ave. in downtown Sandpoint.
The exhibition will remain on display through Saturday, May 23, giving the broader Bonner County arts community several weeks to experience work by artists Alison Barrows-Young, Daris Judd, Eli Sevenich, Nives Massey, Jan Rust, and Teresa Rancourt. Organizers describe the collection as modern and abstract, with individual pieces highlighting form, color, movement, and imagination.
The show’s opening reception ran from 5 to 7 p.m. and offered art enthusiasts a free opportunity to mingle with the featured artists over light refreshments — a format consistent with the POAC’s longstanding First Friday tradition in downtown Sandpoint.
Artists Praised for Commitment, Collaboration, and Passion
POAC Arts Coordinator Claire Christy expressed enthusiasm for the exhibition ahead of its opening, emphasizing the depth of commitment the six artists bring to their craft.
“I’m especially excited about this exhibition because these women are truly devoted to art-making,” Christy said in remarks provided by the organization. “They are prolific, experimental and deeply passionate about the visual arts. Their willingness to share, collaborate and support one another strengthens not only their individual practices, but the arts community as a whole.”
Christy’s comments reflect what organizers hope will be a broader theme of the exhibition — that the convergence of six distinct artistic voices working in contemporary practice creates something greater than the sum of its parts. The title “Confluence” itself speaks to that goal, evoking the coming together of separate streams into a shared flow.
Among the pieces highlighted in advance materials is “What Comes Out at Night” by artist Daris Judd, one of six contributors whose work spans the full arc of the exhibition. Organizers hope the collection will encourage what they describe as “reflection and connection” among visitors throughout the show’s run.
The Pend Oreille Arts Council has long served as a cornerstone of cultural life in North Idaho, using its downtown Sandpoint gallery as a platform to spotlight both emerging and established local artists. Events like this one reinforce Sandpoint’s identity as one of the Panhandle’s most active arts communities, drawing visitors from across Bonner County and beyond.
Community events like this exhibition are part of a broader pattern of civic engagement across North Idaho. The POAC’s efforts mirror other local organizations working to bring residents together — PSNI recently announced special community events during Giving Week as part of its own efforts to strengthen Sandpoint-area connections. Meanwhile, recognition of local talent has been a consistent theme this spring, as seen when six local honorees were recognized at the 64th Annual North Idaho Sports Banquet in Sandpoint.
Admission to the gallery is free, and the POAC encourages members of the public to attend during regular gallery hours through the exhibition’s closing date of May 23.
What Comes Next
Confluence: Six Women in Contemporary Practice will remain on view at the POAC Gallery, 313 N. Second Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, through Saturday, May 23, 2026. The opening reception took place the evening of May 1 as part of the First Friday Series. Residents and visitors interested in more information about this exhibition and upcoming POAC programming are encouraged to visit artinsandpoint.org. Future First Friday events will continue to be announced through the POAC’s regular channels as Sandpoint’s arts season progresses into summer.