“Northwest Expressions,” the next exhibition at Northwind Art’s Jeanette Best Gallery, opens Friday, Aug. 23 with 40 works of art chosen to reflect “the feeling of life in the Pacific Northwest.”

Northwind spokesperson Diane Urbani said that the gallery, at 701 Water St. in downtown Port Townsend, is set to present art from across Washington and Oregon.

The jurors for “Northwest Expressions’” were father-and-son artists Richard Jesse Watson and Jesse Joshua Watson, who selected the exhibition artworks from more than 600 submissions.

“Whew! That was a lot of art,” Richard Jesse Watson said. “But it was a terrific experience to see such a range of creativity.”

He added that he and his son, Jesse Joshua Watson, each separately viewed, examined and “pondered” every piece several times.

“Dozens and dozens of times,” Richard said. “Eventually, we compared notes and observed which ones stood out to both of us. We also looked closely at the pieces where we had different takes on the art, and discussed insights we might not have thought of.”

According to Urbani, not long after the show is fully installed in the gallery, the Watsons will name the juror’s choice and merit awards, which total $1,400 in cash prizes for the winning artists.

“‘Northwest Expressions’ covers a range of media, styles and moods, and goes from plein air paintings to jewelry to absolutely stunning photography,” Urbani said.

She touted “Mountains Revealed,” Scott Pascoe of Port Townsend’s soft pastel, and “After the Storm,” a watercolor by David Van Galen of Seattle, as showing off “quintessentially Northwest skies,” while “Passing by the Pool,” a photograph by Christina Heliker of Sequim, captures a shimmering reflection in green water.

Artists from 17 cities are represented in “Northwest Expressions,” including Port Hadlock, Port Angeles, Bremerton and Tahuya in Washington, as well as Portland and Oregon City in Oregon.

The show will stay on view through Sept. 29, and the venue, which also houses the “Artists Showcase” exhibition in the large room adjacent to the street-side gallery, is open noon to 5 p.m. daily.

It was a privilege, Richard said, to dive “deep into art, and into the minds and hearts of these artists.”

More information about Northwind’s exhibitions and art classes can be found at northwindart.org.