'Big and Bold Balazs'

The Art Spirit Gallery was honored to represent a significant collection of works by Harold Balazs in the past two years.

One piece was sold to the Space Needle and will be dedicated this month.

Art Spirit owner Blair Williams said the remainder of Balazs' works were sold to the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, which opened the exhibition “Leaving Marks,” Feb. 3. His works were added to the MAC's permanent collection, so Balazs' art will be celebrated by the public for generations to come.

More of the late artist's works will go on display today at Chalice Brewery, 413 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene, in an exhibit titled, "Big and Bold Balazs."

The opening reception is from 5 to 9 tonight and will include beer and live music.

Born in 1928 in Westlake, Ohio, Balazs died in 2017. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951 from Washington State University. He worked as a self-employed artist ever since. He served three terms on the Washington State Arts Commission. 

Balazs was an artistic pioneer who juxtaposed disparate ideas in an endless variety of forms. He merges nebulous shapes with geometric, often on scrap materials such as old washing machine lids or end rolls of milk carton paper.

Balazs described his life’s work with these words: “I make stuff because it’s better than not making stuff.”

The Art Spirit Gallery has been proud to represent Harold since 1997.

"Big and Bold Balazs" will be shown through Feb. 26.

    Balazs