Kearney gets nod for 2010 Festival at Sandpoint poster

SANDPOINT - Local photographer Carver Kearney has been selected to create the original artwork for the 2010 Festival at Sandpoint fine art poster.

Known for his imaginative photographic imagery, Kearney was chosen by a committee made up of the Festival's past poster artists, and the announcement was made Friday night at the Festival's annual Wine Tasting, Dinner & Auction.

Kearney is known as a man of philosophical temperament who traveled the world "at the request of the Army," explored America in his 18-wheeler, then purchased 50 acres of land overlooking Lake Pend Oreille in Talache to raise organic apples and share beautiful and delicious impressions with hundreds over the years. His most recent passion is creating photographs that break patterns of how to see life. Kearney was invited to participate in the Artists' Studio Tour at Seasons at Sandpoint and his work has also been featured at Pend Oreille Arts Council art shows and ArtWalk.

Kearny is, for the most part, a landscape photographer who uses his artistic license to digitally enhance his vision of his own photographs - just as a painter adds subject or color to his paintings to create mood or drama. He said anyone can get some paint and paint a picture or take a photo and play with it in Photoshop, but the end results and the audience will ultimately determine this level of talent. So far he has received favorable applause; however, he states, he would do it anyway just for the joy of it.

"I am honored and excited to have been chosen as the Festival artist for 2010," said Kearney. "As a photographer in today's era of digital creativity, I look forward to exploring, and hopefully conjuring up some of this digital magic into this year's Festival poster."

Festival at Sandpoint officials enthusiastically welcomed Kearney to the ranks of talented artists who have created original artwork for the Festival's signature fine art poster for over a quarter of a century.

"The selection of Carver as the poster artist has us brimming with anticipation to see where his images and imagination leads him in creating this year's Festival poster," said Festival Director Dyno Wahl.

The Festival will unveil Kearney's original artwork at the much anticipated poster unveiling event on July 15 at Dover Bay to kick off the Festival's 28th annual summer concert series set for Aug. 5-15 at Memorial Field in Sandpoint. The original artwork will be displayed on posters and other Festival memorabilia during the season, and will be auctioned off to benefit the nonprofit arts organization.

Information: www.FestivalatSandpoint.com