Art display opening showcases local talent

Works of art created by both youth and adult artists are featured in the current show, “Single, Double, Triple” at the Sandpiper Art Gallery on Polson’s Main Street.

A reception for the show, which runs through July 28, was held at the Gallery Friday evening for the public to meet and mingle with the artists and other art lovers. This show’s featured member artists include Karla Martinson (mixed media), Juanita Small Salmon (paintings), Matt and Heather Holmes (mixed media and taku pottery), Holly Wurl (leather), Steve Smies (various), student members Elizabeth Smies (various) and Matti Holmes (paintings) and guest Kay Langland of Moondance Artwork and Jewelry.

As the art enthusiasts perused the creations of the featured artists as well as additional works by Sandpiper members, 13-year-old Noah Carlson entertained on the guitar. His mother would occasionally add her melodic voice on contemporary soft rock songs.

Wurl, one of the featured artists, creates completely handmade, functional art from leather. Leather work has always been the medium of her artistic expression. Many years ago, a family friend taught Holly how to make gloves and, although she found she really enjoyed making them, she put aside that passion for many years. A point came when she became the caretaker for her mom, who was a “mad knitter,” and Holly began working on her leather art again as the two of them shared stories and laughs while their hands crafted beautiful and functional creations.

The youngest of the show’s featured artists, Matti Holmes (13), inherited both the talent and the love for art from her parents, who are professional artists who specialize in pottery and paintings. Matti had always enjoyed drawing, but, two years ago when she began taking art classes from Julie Christopher of ‘Jewels Art Burst,’ she really found her zone. Her favorite piece that she has hung in the show is an acrylic pop art painting of her precious pup, Copper.

Juanita Small Salmon has several vibrant and colorful paintings displayed in the show, many of which feature animals. Some of those are also painted on hand drums which were beyond their playing days. One of Juanita’s most eye-catching displays is an acrylic painting done on three separate panels as a triptych work. Each panel in the series of white birch trees can stand alone as well as complete the one unified work.

Another of the featured youth artists, Elizabeth Smies, is new to Polson. Originally from Wisconsin, she was this year’s winner of the Sandpiper Scholarship. She is thankful for the $1,500 award that will help her pursue her bachelor’s degree in Digital Design at Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Elizabeth first showed talent for art as a very young child sculpting clay. That grew into doodling and sketching and, in high school, she was fortunate to have an excellent art teacher who taught her many different techniques and styles. Her father, Steve, also learned some new techniques from that teacher. Father and daughter have several striking pieces displayed in the show that exemplify an array of art forms. One of those techniques, called ‘stippling,’ uses small dots as opposed to lines to create the images. A picture of a horse by Elizabeth and a picture of a mountain lion by Steve are compelling examples of the stippling technique.

Summer Workshops for kids

In addition to the member shows ,which are changed every six weeks, the Sandpiper gallery also offers many art classes throughout the year. This summer, there are several opportunities for kids ages 8 and up. Spaces are still available for three workshops in July and one in August: • Ceramic Wind Chimes, taught by Heather Holmes July 10, 13 and 14, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

- Mandala Magic, taught by Margery Christensen July 10, 11 and 12 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

- More Fun Oil Painting, taught by Terry Droll July 19-20

- Paper Mache Animals, taught by Sue Ball Aug. 1-3 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Sandpiper Art Gallery at 883-5956.