College of Western Idaho (CWI) will welcome an impressive panel of local artists, educators, and leaders to campus this month for a conversation on the social and economic impacts of public art. CWI will host “Art in Public Places: The Power of Art to Unite Communities” on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 6-8 p.m. at the College’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education in Nampa. The event is free and open to the public.
The panel will include:
- Kathleen Keys, moderator (Department Chair, Department of Art at Boise State University)
- Karen Brown (Art History Faculty, CWI)
- Karen Bubb (Boise City Art and History Department)
- Alma Gomez (Artist)
- Antonia Wynn (Nampa Art Collective)
- Colby Ackers (Artist and Founder of Boise’s Freak Alley)
- Mark Baltes (Artist)
The Micron Center is home to CWI’s first public art display; a mural titled “Spirit of Collaboration” commissioned by Alma Gomez. The artwork was created with input from CWI students and faculty, and partially funded by the Idaho Humanities Council. CWI is developing its public art program with a goal of strengthening connections with the community and providing valuable learning experiences for students.
Immediately following the panel discussion, there will be a reception with a question and answer session and an opportunity for extended conversation. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu or Karen Brown at karenbrown@cwi.edu.