While Boise has long been a growing mecca of creative compilations for artists around the state, so too are lesser-known works of art scattered across Idaho, enhancing local economies and creating a source of community pride. Art is a natural and beautiful part of human expression, and large (and small)-scale street art pieces are a unique reflection of a city’s culture, as well as a reflection of the larger environment. Rustic, modern, and personal, these 10 art pieces are just a small taste of the diverse wealth of artistic vision and talent in the Gem State.
- Lewiston
gohoward/Flickr There are more than 50 canoes in this wavelike sculpture by Christopher Fennell. Sitting next to the Interstate Bridge, Fennell’s piece is a unique feat of engineering that is mostly recycled and reclaimed.
- Sandpoint
Joanna Poe/Flickr This rustic, rural metal sculpture is just awesome to look at.
- Whitebird
erin_pass This sculpture has an environmental implication: the components were all gathered from the river.
- McCall
Laura Gilmore/Flickr
Aidan Wakely-Mulroney/Flickr This wheel is representative of McCall’s logging industry.
- “Traveling”
mlhradio/Flickr Called “Makin’ Hay,” this traveling hay man and his two sidekicks will make their way back to Idaho in the next few years. The whimsical pieces were created by artist Tom Otterness as part of a larger series and stand at nearly 18 feet tall.
- Boise
City of Boise/BEE Designed by Mark Baltes and shaped like a native mountain dandelion, “Aero Agoseris” is a metal kinetic sculpture that stands 15 feet tall. The dandelion seedlings represent the wind with their mid-light appearance, while the dandelion head also rotates with the wind.
- Mountain Home
Terry Robinson/Flickr Handcrafted one penny at time by artist Randy Miller, with the help of the community, this mural stands 9’ x 33’ and incorporated over four hundred pounds of pennies.
- Sun Valley
Die Zaubertuba Roderick H. “Rod” Kagan, winner of the National Endowment for the Arts, was an Idaho legend before his passing in 2010. His sculptures are a creative inspiration and local source of pride in Sun Valley, often featuring geometric shapes and representing Idaho’s unique state culture.
While the piece pictured above,“42,” is not in Sun Valley, you can visit the rest of Kagan’s work at the Rod Kagan Park in Ketchum, or tour his sculpture garden and home by appointment through the Gail Severn Gallery.
- Sandpoint
Mark Don McInnes/YouTube This trellising vine bench is a decorative addition to Sandpoint’s already scenic downtown
- Boise
Freak Alley Gallery/Facebook Freak Alley has long held a reputation in Boise for displaying the “graffiti-style” work of local artists, but you might not know that it is also the largest outdoor gallery in the Northwest.
Which of these pieces stood out the most? Nearly every city has at least one standout work of art at its center — but what are some of your favorite hidden and under-appreciated pieces in your local community? Please share!
gohoward/Flickr
There are more than 50 canoes in this wavelike sculpture by Christopher Fennell. Sitting next to the Interstate Bridge, Fennell’s piece is a unique feat of engineering that is mostly recycled and reclaimed.
Joanna Poe/Flickr
This rustic, rural metal sculpture is just awesome to look at.
erin_pass
This sculpture has an environmental implication: the components were all gathered from the river.
Laura Gilmore/Flickr
Aidan Wakely-Mulroney/Flickr
This wheel is representative of McCall’s logging industry.
mlhradio/Flickr
Called “Makin’ Hay,” this traveling hay man and his two sidekicks will make their way back to Idaho in the next few years. The whimsical pieces were created by artist Tom Otterness as part of a larger series and stand at nearly 18 feet tall.
City of Boise/BEE
Designed by Mark Baltes and shaped like a native mountain dandelion, “Aero Agoseris” is a metal kinetic sculpture that stands 15 feet tall. The dandelion seedlings represent the wind with their mid-light appearance, while the dandelion head also rotates with the wind.
Terry Robinson/Flickr
Handcrafted one penny at time by artist Randy Miller, with the help of the community, this mural stands 9’ x 33’ and incorporated over four hundred pounds of pennies.
Die Zaubertuba
Roderick H. “Rod” Kagan, winner of the National Endowment for the Arts, was an Idaho legend before his passing in 2010. His sculptures are a creative inspiration and local source of pride in Sun Valley, often featuring geometric shapes and representing Idaho’s unique state culture.
While the piece pictured above,“42,” is not in Sun Valley, you can visit the rest of Kagan’s work at the Rod Kagan Park in Ketchum, or tour his sculpture garden and home by appointment through the Gail Severn Gallery.
Mark Don McInnes/YouTube
This trellising vine bench is a decorative addition to Sandpoint’s already scenic downtown
Freak Alley Gallery/Facebook
Freak Alley has long held a reputation in Boise for displaying the “graffiti-style” work of local artists, but you might not know that it is also the largest outdoor gallery in the Northwest.
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