Kramer and Napolitan exhibit opens Friday at POAC Gallery

Pick a word: synergistic, harmonious, collegial and collaborative. Any and all of these synonyms describe the artwork created by team Kramer and Napolitan whose colorful, whimsical, yet thoughtful art will be exhibited at Pend Oreille Arts Council Gallery (302 N. First Ave.) opening Friday, Oct. 27 with an artists’ reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This exhibit, called “Dialogue” showcases how Tom Kramer and Robens Napolitan create eclectic acrylic paintings with an almost defiant sense of freedom. Chosen POAC’s 2017 Artists of the Year, this long-married couple work separately and together on works of art that hint at Kramer’s cartoonist roots and Napolitan’s abundant gardens.

The title of the presentation comes from the unique angle to be introduced at the artists’ reception. As part of an Artists Talk series, facilitator Alexandra Iosub will engage Napolitan and Kramer in a conversation that will include questions such as why art is important to them, how different cultures influence their work and how collaboration has enriched their creativity. Attendees are invited to join in the discussion.

“Because art targets the public at large (unless it doesn’t), all of us must think about the kind of influence our work has on the world around us,” Iosub wrote to Kramer and Napolitan in an email, “which leads me into the concept that perhaps artists have a civic duty to engage the world as public speakers (our work speaks, but we can join in).”

Not new to speaking in public, both Kramer and Napolitan add writing to their skill sets and participate in Five Minutes of Fame readings. Kramer is a life-long jazz musician. Come meet these two multi-faceted individuals and enjoy their work.

Kramer and Napolitan’s show will continue to run at the POAC Gallery through Nov. 27. For more information about Pend Oreille Arts Council go to www.artinsandpoint.org or call the office 208-263-6139 to find out how you can get involved.