The Festival at Sandpoint has selected North Idaho artist Cyndie Hammond’s vibrant colored-pencil work “Shadow Serenade” as the official fine art poster for the 2026 Summer Series, marking recognition of a local creative whose intricate technique and decades of service in education have shaped the region’s cultural landscape.
The original piece is on display at the Festival office, located at 525 Pine Street in Sandpoint, through Friday, July 24, before relocating to the concert merchandise booth at War Memorial Field from July 30 through August 9. The unveiling event took place on July 7.
Artist’s Vision and Technique
Hammond, a third-generation North Idahoan, brings both artistic discipline and community commitment to her work. She taught special education and fifth-grade students in the local school system before serving as executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Baccalaureate Center for Lewis-Clark State College, combining creative practice with hands-on support for students and families.
Her approach to colored-pencil art is methodical and demanding. Each piece can require as many as 45 hours of focused work, built up through two to 20 layers of colored pencil applied with precision. Hammond describes her process as deliberate accumulation: “My work is an act of meticulous building, where layers of brilliant color accumulate to form surfaces that pulse with energy and optimism.”
The artist frames her finished pieces as more than visual objects. “Memories and joy underpin all my pieces, especially this one,” she explains. “My work is an invitation to the viewer, a visual feast of exuberant color and light to evoke personal memories.”
Supporting Community Outreach
The festival is hosting an online auction of “Shadow Serenade” through August 9 at fasfineartposter.ggo.bid. All proceeds from the sale support the nonprofit’s educational and community outreach initiatives, connecting art patronage directly to regional programming.
The selection underscores the Festival at Sandpoint’s commitment to highlighting regional talent while funding year-round arts education. Hammond’s work joins a tradition of fine art posters that have become collector’s items for festival supporters across North Idaho.
For those interested in viewing the original piece or learning more about Hammond’s work, the Festival office remains open through July 24. The merch booth at War Memorial Field during the Summer Concert Series provides another opportunity to engage with the artwork throughout early August.
What Comes Next: The “Shadow Serenade” auction closes August 9. The Festival at Sandpoint’s Summer Concert Series continues at War Memorial Field through early August, with the merchandise booth featuring Hammond’s poster and related items. For additional community events this month, the Sagle and Sandpoint Gardens are opening to visitors on July 25 for a garden tour.