The Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) has been bringing the arts to life in Bonner County since 1978. For nearly five decades, this local nonprofit has inspired creativity, enriched education, and connected the community through unforgettable arts experiences.

Claire Christy, Arts Coordinator for the Pend Oreille Arts Council, invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of the arts with their highly anticipated 3-day Artist Studio Tour—Labor Day Weekend August 29–31, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Step inside the creative worlds of 20 talented artists as they open the doors to 16 unique studios across Sandpoint, Sagle, and the surrounding areas. From paintbrush to pottery wheel, canvas to carving tools, you’ll see art in action, hear the stories behind the work, and even have the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Artist Studio Tour is more than an event—it’s a celebration of North Idaho’s thriving arts community and an invitation to support the incredible talent in our own backyard.

Discover more about POAC’s wide variety of programs, classes, and events at ArtinSandpoint.org, and explore the full lineup of participating artists at artinsandpoint.org/artist-studio-tour.

Meet Captain David Kilmer, a man whose life has been transformed by the sea. An accomplished sailor and storyteller, David Kilmer's journey began when his father launched a little wooden boat for him, named Skipper-N-Dad. This early experience sparked a lifelong love for the sea, leading to his first bluewater passage at the age of 25, a transformative 2,300-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean.

By his early 30s, David Kilmer had already embarked on a life less ordinary. He ran off to the Caribbean, driven by a desire to become a boat captain, and spent five seasons working in the Grenadines. His book A Peril To Myself and Others is a vivid portrayal of those colorful and tumultuous times, a testament to the adventurous spirit that has always defined him.

His latest book, The Way of the Sailor, is a captivating set of seagoing essays, meditations, and small adventures that explores what it truly means to be a sailor, the challenges and joys of life at sea, and ultimately, how to better navigate life itself. His books often delve into themes of adventure, self-discovery, and the beauty of the open ocean.

From 2009 to 2019, David and his co-captain, Rebecca, cruised their 36-foot sailing sloop from Bellingham, Washington, to the Bahamas with stops in 12 countries, including Cuba and a transit of the Panama Canal along the route. Their journey was not just a personal adventure, but a testament to David's expertise and passion for sailing. David is the captain of the private sailing yacht Sizzler.

You can purchase David’s book on Amazon or Goodreads, or locally at the Well Read Moose or Mix it Up Home. Follow David on Instagam@captainkilmer or wayofthesailor.com

Amy D’Orazi brings joy into every room she enters. If you’ve seen her perform, you know she carries a rare blend of heart and innocence that’s hard to put into words. A singer, actress, painter, and writer, Amy grew up in the Inland Northwest, where her boundless creativity was nurtured from a young age and she was encouraged to take the stage.

After a long hiatus from theatre, Amy returned with remarkable energy and passion—landing one leading role after another. She’s lit up the stage as Inga in Young Frankenstein, Laurie in Oklahoma!, Dot in Sunday in the Park with George, and most recently as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.

In 2023, Amy received the Mayor’s Award of Excellence in the Arts—a testament to her talent and impact on the community. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she shared, “It's never too late to dream, never too late to take risks or try something new, and never too late to grow... To seek and take risks—that is what it means to be truly alive.”

She has performed with Aspire Community Theatre, and tonight she returns to the stage as Ilona in She Loves Me, presented by Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. This charming musical marks the final production of their summer season.

For tickets, visit cstidaho.com.

Jaime Rome Crain is a passionate fine artist based in the beautiful Inland Northwest. Working primarily in oil, Jaime dives deep into the complexities of the human experience—exploring themes like memory, emotion, and social issues—through vivid color, expressive figures, and dreamlike, abstract spaces. Her work doesn’t just hang on a wall—it connects, often stopping people in their tracks. And that spark of recognition, that shared moment between artist and viewer? That’s her favorite part.

And just recently, the J. Rome Gallery opened, Coeur d’Alene’s newest art spot, founded and curated by none other than Jaime herself. A hometown girl from a family of artists, Jaime is thrilled to bring something fresh to the local arts scene—an inviting space full of contemporary flair, creative conversations, and the kind of art that just might stay with you long after you’ve walked out the door.

Jaime’s mission? To help people feel seen, understood, and a little less alone—one bold, beautiful brushstroke at a time.

Find more about Jaime and her work and the gallery at jaimerome.com and on Instagram @jaimeromeart.

Meet Noah Johnson, founder of Levity Theatre and a passionate force in the world of improv since 2018. With experience as a performer, teacher, and creator of the Northwest Improv Fest, Noah brings energy, warmth, and joy to everything he does. He especially loves helping people step outside their comfort zones, embrace their authentic selves, and discover the magic of being a little silly.

Levity Theatre takes its name from the word “levity”—lightness of mind, spirit, and humor—and that philosophy shines through in every performance and class. Based in Coeur d’Alene, Levity Theatre offers high-quality improv that’s clever, original, family-friendly, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Beyond regular improv shows, Levity offers ongoing 4-week improv class sessions each month, plus workshops open to all experience levels. Whether you're a performer, student, audience member, wizard, or someone with an excellent collection of weird hats—there’s a place for you at Levity.

Get involved or learn more at levitytheatre.com

More Than Makeup: Meaghan’s Mission of Confidence and Kindness

With a heart for encouraging others, Meaghan is on a mission to help women build confidence from the inside out. She is the proud owner of a salon that doubles as a drop-off location for beauty and hygiene products benefiting Project Beauty Share. Through her platform, #MoreThanMakeup, she empowers women by coordinating donation drives, leading confidence-building workshops, and providing makeovers to help women feel seen, valued, and loved. She uses her brushes as the tools for change and connection and is passionate about helping others step into their worth, with one lipstick and one act of kindness at  a time.

 Meaghan resides in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her loving family. As a mom of two and the wife of a Marine veteran, she brings a deep understanding of faith, family and service to everything she does. 

​She is also the author of 52 Words of Encouragement, a devotional-style book that inspires women to embrace their God-given identity one word at a time. Whether she’s mentoring moms, tending to her garden, or serving as a board member for Brighter Life Foundation, she leads with compassion and joy. Meaghan is most looking forward to traveling all throughout Idaho spreading love and encouragement everywhere she goes! 

For more about Meaghan visit https://www.idahoamericapageant.com/mrsidahoamerican. And be sure to watch the Mrs. American pageant live-streamed from Las Vegas on August 27.

Paper Flowers: Remembering Fleetwood Mac is an exceptionally talented tribute band featuring Allison McCready, Cary Beare, Brian Burke, and Kosh—musicians recognized as some of the finest in the industry. Together, they bring the legendary music of Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie to life with passion and precision. Their performance is a heartfelt homage to the iconic sound and enduring influence of Fleetwood Mac.

Get to know the band members and discover what led them to this incredibly successful venture.

To find out where you can catch their next show, visit paperflowersmusic.com or contact [email protected].

Note: We experimented with a new setup for this complex recording and encountered some technical challenges. We've worked hard to minimize them in post-production.

One of our favorites of the free summer concerts is the Riverstone Summer Concert Series in Riverstone Park on Thursday evenings starting July 10 through August 28 from 6-8 pm put on by the CDA Arts & Culture Alliance. Board members, Ruth Pratt and Max Mendez, share this season's line up, another exciting one with a variety of genres, and great opening acts.

Bring your chair or blanket, get there early, and enjoy a drink or something to eat as you listen to great music in a gorgeous setting.

For more information about the concerts visit artsandculturecda.org.

North Idaho native Caden Butera has been passionate about filmmaking for as long as he can remember. Driven by a lifelong mission to create art that offers fresh perspectives, sparks the imagination, and, above all, entertains, Caden has steadily turned his passion into a profession.

He is the founder and owner of Paradox Studios, a multi-media production company specializing in original films as well as professional photo and video services. Paradox Studios is a family affair: Caden collaborates closely with his brother, Rylan Butera, who serves as co-writer and composer, and their parents, Jackie Butera (Producer and Unit Production Manager) and Mark Butera (Executive Producer).

Caden’s first full-length feature film, Recollection: A Sci-Fi Thriller, has been earning accolades on the film festival circuit. Set in a near future where technology allows people to erase painful memories, the story follows Kate, a woman whose supposedly deleted memories resurface—revealing a disturbing truth about her past and the powerful company behind the technology.

The Paradox Studios team is currently working to bring Recollection to a wider audience through a streaming platform.

To watch the trailer or explore more of Caden’s work, visit paradoxstudiosco.com.

Michael B. Koep has built a life out of rhythm, storytelling, and adventure. A fourth-generation Coeur d’Alene native, he’s worn many hats—college educator, international touring musician, visual artist, novelist, and swordsman. Celebrating his 5th appearance on the podcast with the honorary 5-timer jacket, we talk to Michael about his passion for live music—and his deep love for the community—leading him to take up the mantle of Chris Guggemos, Coeur d’Alene’s legendary “Music Man.” Through KOEP Concerts, he ensures that North Idaho summers are filled with music, producing the Cd’A City Park Concert Series, the Hayden Summer Concert Series, and the high-energy Music at McEuen Wednesdays.

For more on the concert series’ visit koepconcerts.com.