Ali & Callie Artcast

Mary Lee Ryba, originally from Massachusetts, has been the Assistant Dean for Development at the University of Idaho, College of Engineering for over 17 years. She is currently serving as the chair of the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission. The Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission is appointed to aid the Mayor and the City in formulating and administering public art policy for the City. The vision of the Arts Commission is to build an exceptional collection of public art that defines the community and distinguishes it from others, complementing Coeur d'Alene's many attributes, and serving for posterity. The Commission consists of thirteen members appointed by the Mayor and City Council to serve a three-year term.

Mary Lee provides insight into how public art is selected and financed and how you can view over 80 pieces in Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding area by using the Otocast Self-Guided Audio Tour app.

The CDA Arts Commission is holding the 28th annual Mayor’s Awards in the Arts, a free event, on October 9 this year at 6:00 PM at the Hagadone Events Center. Please R.S.V.P. to [email protected].

Susie Fieckert spent most of her life living in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., where she worked in corporate sales. After her kids went off to college and she experienced an unexpected divorce, she decided it was time to start a new chapter in her life. With some convincing from friends, Susie joined an online dating service and eventually met her husband, Rich. As they traveled to find their new home, they ended up in Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho by happenstance. During the long winters, she wanted something to do and decided to pursue writing, a passion she had thought about for many years. After some convincing, she sat down with a pen and paper and started writing her first book, "Abby’s Road". Drawing from her own life experiences, she realized that many women were going through similar situations. The book begins post-divorce, where the character Abby is trying to figure out her new direction in life, learning that life is meant to be lived and encouraging others to have the courage to take chances.

A great read, you can find the book on Amazon or at the Bonners Ferry Book Store. She will also be doing a book signing at the Barnes and Noble book store in the Spokane Valley on October 27 from 1-4pm.

Max Mendez, a multi-talented individual, is involved in various artistic and musical endeavors. He is a musician, conductor, opera singer, educator, and podcaster, as well as the host of Beer Choir. Beer Choir is a national singing movement creating a fun and inclusive activity where everyone, regardless of their singing experience, is welcome to join in, sing, and enjoy some drinks together. It's an opportunity for all to be part of the choir and have a great time. The Beer Choir Coeur d'Alene chapter was the first established chapter after the original was created in 2015 by composer Michael Engelhardt in Minnesota. Beer Choir now has over 30 chapters across the country. Our local Beer Choir holds monthly singing events at the Crown and Thistle from September through May and has become a popular night in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Max Mendez has been actively contributing to the arts in the Inland Northwest for more than 25 years. He has been involved with various organizations such as North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, Inland Northwest Opera, Spokane Valley Summer Theater, and the Spokane and Walla Walla Symphonies. Additionally, Max serves on the Board of the Arts & Culture Alliance and has recently launched a new business venture called Thrive-Learn-Connect, which is a podcast focusing on personal and professional development for a balanced work-life integration.

If you're interested in participating in Beer Choir, mark your calendar for the start date on September 26, 2024, at the Crown & Thistle from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The events will continue through May 2025. For additional information and event dates, please visit beerchoir.com or find them on Facebook at beerchoircda.

If you are interested in starting a Beer Choir in your area visit beerchoir.com/membership-levels

The 4th episode in our Walla Walla series was a delightful conversation with artist Mary Crane Nutter, a painter from Walla Walla, Washington. Her studio is at her home and small farm with a traditional barn. A few years ago, Mary partnered with her sister Sarah Crane, a graphic designer and photographer, to create a neighborhood art and performance experience for the community. She discovered her new style at the farm: color-blocked paintings on panels inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch barn star artwork, which she calls "quilts." She mounted large-scale panels on her barn for the festival; the rest is history.

Mary attended the Seattle Art Institute in 2003, which furthered her desire to become a painter. Her work as an interior designer inspired her to work in textiles. She loves adding textures, sanding elements, and acrylic mediums to build up the piece's texture. Her works are displayed not only in Walla Walla; she currently has an exhibition at the Strauss Studios called "Liminal." You can also view her artwork on Instagram (@mcraneart), at mcraneart.com and at john-strauss-furniture.myshopify.com.

Tricia Harding has been a board member of ArtWalla for the past eight years. ArtWalla is an organization that initially focused on public art and continues to educate the artistic community. Tricia was the chair of the City Commission for Art in Public Places. She is very proud of all that ArtWalla has accomplished in such a short time. Tricia is also a mixed-media paper artist who loves working in her studio and collaborating with creative people. Find out more about what’s happening in the arts in Walla Walla!

For more information visit artwalla.com.

Mary Derby, the founder of DAMA Wines created, owned, and managed by women. Not only is she a wine-lover, but Mary Derby, the founder of DAMA Wines, is a wine enthusiast and a classically trained opera singer from Minnesota. Along with her husband, Devin, she co-created the brand of wines known as Spring Valley Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley and after the untimely passing of her husband, Mary, and her young son, faced the difficult decision of whether to stay in the Valley or return to the Midwest. Supported by 9 other nationally recognized winemakers and friends, they produced a special Syrah vintage called “Devin” in honor of her late husband. Mary's exceptional palate, passion for singing (she actually studied to be an opera singer), and the support of her friends add a unique balance and style to her wines. Learn more about Mary's incredible journey to becoming one of the finest winemakers in the area. 

To find out about Mary and her wines, visit damawines.com or find them on Facebook @damawines.

Caden Butera, a talented filmmaker hailing from Coeur d’Alene, wears multiple hats as a writer, director, and editor. He has a passion for creating captivating short films that have garnered attention at the prestigious “50 Hour Slam” in Spokane as well as through online platforms. Embarking on his creative journey at the age of ten, Caden, alongside his supportive family, leads "Paradox Studios," a dynamic videography/photography enterprise that crafts compelling content for the local film industry in the Inland Northwest. As an artist who has honed his craft over the years, Caden's earlier works can be discovered on YouTube. Presently, he is immersed in the post-production phase of his second feature film, a spellbinding sci-fi thriller titled "Recollection." In sharing his experiences, Caden offers valuable insights into the trials and triumphs associated with the production, direction, and scripting of a full-length feature film.

Find his movie shorts and trailers at paradoxstudiosco.com. Or on YouTube at CadenButera.

We were honored to talk with “The Boyle Fuel Twins”, Deanna, and Deanda Sylte, growing up on a ranch in Rathdrum, Idaho that was originally owned by Frederick Post.

At nine years old, the Sylte Sisters first appeared on “Starlit Stairway” on KXLY in 1953, Spokane’s answer to “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Performing for six years on the show, they pursued their Hollywood dreams with their older sister Joan, where they recorded their first record .45 “Ballad of Lover’s Hill.” The sisters sang on shows with Roy Rogers and Dale Evens, Pat Boone, Arthur Godfrey, Liberace, and Jim Backus.  They then traveled abroad, singing for Indonesian President Sukarno and royalty in Vietnam and Afghanistan. They also performed for the king and queen of Thailand, the king of Nepal, the Shah and queen of Iran, and the king and queen of Cambodia.

Deanna is also an accomplished watercolorist and graphic designer. Deanda is a psychotherapist. Enjoy listening to the tales of these talented sisters.

You can see the two of them singing on Starlit Stairway on YouTube.

Tarin Leach, an artist who studied Social Sculpture at the University of Idaho and former instructor at Gizmo, is associated with CDA Galleries, Emerge, and the Art on the Edge Program. She will be hosting the first AltWalk: Estate Pop-up Show in Coeur d’Alene on August 9 from 4-9 pm at her home. Tarin looks forward to welcoming visitors to her estate gallery, offering an open house and garden tour as a unique addition to the ArtWalk. She believes that art is life, and her pop-up estate gallery will showcase an eclectic array of paintings, sculptures, and drawings throughout the house and backyard, along with poetry readings and more experiential art.

For more information visit her on instagram @tarinleach