Art in Public Places: The Power of Art to Unite Communities

The College of Western Idaho is working to develop a public art program which would help strengthen connections with our surrounding communities and provide valuable learning experiences for our students. Our first commissioned work “Spirit of Collaboration” by Alma Gomez, created with the input of students and faculty, and partially funded by the Idaho Humanities Council was unveiled in April of this year. Because of the success of this project, we are hosting this panel discussion as a way of broadening the conversation about public art in our college and local community. Come join local artists, educators and city leaders as we discuss the social and economic impacts of public art. Immediately following the panel we will host a reception in the lobby of the Micron Building for a question and answer session and to provide an opportunity for extended conversation. Light refreshments will be served. All events will be free and open to the public.

PANEL PARTICIPANTS:
Kathleen Keys, moderator (Department Chair, Department of Art Boise State University)
Karen Brown (Art History faculty, CWI)
Karen Bubb (Boise City Art & History Department)
Alma Gomez (artist)
Antonia Wynn (Nampa Art Collective)
Colby Ackers (artist & founder of Freak Alley)
Mark Baltes (artist)