Something fishy coming to Post Falls city center

POST FALLS - A fish is about to surface in Post Falls' city center. His name is Max.

The 5-foot fiberglass fish donated by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and painted for free by Post Falls artist Harmony Conley-Oaks will be unveiled at 5:30 p.m. at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center on July 9.

Max is blue and green, and will be installed at his permanent location in a median on Spokane Street near City Hall sometime over the Post Falls Festival weekend of July 10-12.

The art ties into Post Falls' history and the tribal culture of fishing on the Spokane River.

"The Jacklin Arts Center is proud to have one of our local artists lead on a project that will enhance the downtown area," said Pam Houser, Post Falls Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

"This fish will not only serve as a beautiful piece of art representing our river city for visitors, but will also be a piece that all the citizens can enjoy as well," Houser added.

Conley-Oaks, the residential plans reviewer for the city, was selected from several artists contacted about the project. She has spent the past two months on weekends and evenings painting Max.

"I am honored to have this opportunity to do something lasting for this community," she said. "It has been a challenging project, but it's exciting to see my vision come to life."

The project is sponsored by the chamber of commerce, the JACC and the City of Post Falls.

A $2,000 fundraising campaign to raise money for the supplies has been launched. Donations to the project can be made by sending a check to: The Jacklin Arts Center, 457 E. William St., Post Falls 83854. Cash donations can be made at the chamber of commerce.

Major donors will have their names inscribed on a plaque at the base of the fish.