Cascade of artwork
<p>North Idaho College President Rick MacLennan, right, checks out sculptures with English and humanities professor Bob Bennett in the juried art show of Art on the Green on Friday at North Idaho College. Faculty and staff from the college selected a watercolor by local artist Jessica Bryant, which will be placed into NIC’s permanent art collection.</p>
<p>David Kailey of Morgan Jade Ironworks forges the legs of a decorative iron bowl during a live blacksmith presentation on Friday at Art on the Green at North Idaho College.</p>
<p>Norine Cowell views Rodi Sheet Ludlum's fabric pottery art, Friday, during Art on the Green 2016 at North Idaho College.</p>
<p>Susan Glasgow, left, and Cindy Walker of Coeur d'Alene view artwork at the juried art show tent, Friday, at Art on the Green.</p>
<p>Carli Osika, a recent Lake City High graduate, plays a variety of pop, country and classic covers during this year's Art on the Green at North Idaho College on Friday.</p>
<p>Todd Tessmer etches various outdoor activities on a salvage piece of Curly Willow wood in the shape of the state of Idaho during Art on the Green at North Idaho College.</p>
Jessica Bryant hiked farther and farther into Grand Teton National Park. Each turn in the trail she found new mountains and hills, but she kept going. Finally, the valley opened up and it was beautiful — sun shining through bulks of clouds and green hillsides that ran forever.
Inspired by the view, the local Coeur d’Alene artist went to work on a beautiful watercolor painting. Bryant’s piece, “Cascade Canyon,” is hanging in the juried art show at Art on the Green this weekend.
“If painting is like writing, my piece is a novel,” Bryant said in regard to how she approached the piece. “It’s good to be at my hometown fair.”
Bryant’s piece received a lot of praise, from locals, the jury and North Idaho College President Rick MacLennan. Friday evening he made his first presidential art pick at the Art on the Green juried art show.
Every year, the NIC president and art committee select a piece of work from the juried art show to stay permanently in NIC’s collection.
“It’s a beautiful piece by a local artist and very well done,” MacLennan said. “It was a hard decision to make, though.”
There were a total of 66 pieces of art by 50 artists to choose from. There were wire sculptures, 3D art, paintings etc. The chosen piece to be part of NIC’s collection will find a home somewhere on campus.
Garry Stark, a member of the NIC art committee, said the painting will first hang in the president’s office until they decide where to put it.
Citizen’s Council for the Arts, the organization that runs Art on the Green, allotted NIC $600 for a piece of art. At $875, “Cascade Canyon” will cost NIC a little bit extra, but MacLennan didn’t seem too concerned.
Art on the Green is hosting 170 artists this year. From metal workers to jewelers, painters to photographers, there are a wide variety of skilled artists, each with their own unique vision.
On top of all the beautiful and creative artwork, Art on the Green has a beer and wine garden and live music. This year, the musical talent is geared toward “up and coming” artists.
Art on the Green is held at NIC near the Centennial Trail. It will be open today from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We consider ourselves very lucky to partner with NIC,” said Anne Solomon, treasurer of CCA. “This is the 48th year of Art on the Green. It’s a really great festival.”