The City of Boise hopes to add public art to a series of grassy medians on Vista Ave. near the Boise Airport.

The project would put $147,000 in funding toward a series of art projects. The project will be funded from the Together Treasure Valley initiative and a Community Development Block Grant.

This is the second attempt to select a project. An earlier try was nixed by the Boise City Council after a similar public feedback process. The first round featured three local artists. The latest set of proposals do not carry the names of the artists, but at least one proposal references being “visitors” to Boise.

Three proposals have been selected, and the City’s Department of Arts & History is asking for public feedback.

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“The Avenue serves as a major gateway for many people; from the daily commuter to travelers from the Boise Airport. This structure will serve as an introduction, or welcoming entryway, to the Treasure Valley and even the State of Idaho.”

Proposal 1: Transitions

A series of four structures about 13′ in height would be constructed in series over two blocks – between Malad St. and Targhee St. Each would be made primarily of metal, with internally lit LED lighting and would represent the seasons. The top of each piece would rotate and sway in the wind.

Our four majestic sculptures are designed to stand out from their surroundings. Bright colors and gentle wind derived movements are intended to attract motorists’ and pedestrians’ attention from a distance and produce a momentary “wow” reaction of enjoyment and curiosity. Moving elements are purposely placed high up on the sculpture to avoid issues of safety and vandalism. These sculptures will be an identifying signature piece at the gateway to the city of Boise.

Proposal 2: Valley Gates

A set of 12 gates made of metal would be built with heights varying from 3’9″ to 13′ would dot the medians. Each gate is designed to echo the foothills, plateaus and mountain peaks of the Boise Front. Each would be arrayed in a triangular shape with steel tubing.

Sculptural mountain peaks, plateaus and foothill formations are placed through the medians mirroring how the landscape transitions in the Treasure Valley and throughout Idaho. Mountain ranges and valleys are like waves that cross the state. A sense of geometry emerges from the movement through mountain landscapes and valley basins; a peak and a trough giving way to another peak.

Proposal 3: Elysian Currents

A set of four aluminum sculptures designed to look like waves would be fashioned using a water jet tool. The sculptures would vary from eight to 11 feet in height and eight to 14 feet in length, and would be placed in series over the two-block stretch from Malad to Targhee. The pieces would be painted in bright colors – shown as blue in the sample drawings.

The purpose of this series is to provide a sense of place and identity for the Vista Neighborhood’s residents while functioning as a bright and welcoming gateway that celebrates the key arrival point into the City from the airport. In addition, the sculptures aim is to engage the public as it invites them to contemplate its colors and shapes. By day the sculptures will interact with the sun with its varying angles and brilliant colors.

Weigh in

You can tell arts & history leadership which project you like the best by visiting the project page and filling out the form at the bottom of the page.