Local artist, Amy Westover, met with College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Studio Art Capstone class Monday, May 3, as part of the College’s Visiting Artist Series.
Westover is a native of Boise, Idaho. She studied art at Arizona State University, University of Idaho, and abroad in Torino, Italy, completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking and sculpture from Boise State University in 2000. Her sculpture, works on paper, and kiln-formed glass have been exhibited in galleries and museums including Boise Art Museum, The Bullseye Gallery in Portland, Oregon, and The New Mexico Museum of Contemporary Art in Sante Fe. Her diverse work has found homes in many private and public collections such as The City of Boise, The Boise Art Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Early on, Westover’s career path turned to public art. Since, she has created commissioned art for hotels, condominium buildings, urban centers, water reclamation projects, airports, and has a substantial portfolio of commissions for hospitals and wellness centers including the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has been the recipient of numerous grants and artist residencies as well as having been nominated for awards including the Boise City Mayors Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Northwest Contemporary Art Award from the Portland Art Museum, and the Louise Comfort Tiffany Biennial Award.
Westover’s virtual lecture took students on her journey as a public artist, studio artist, and public art planner focusing on the public art process from beginning to end. She provided students with amazing advice with tangible and practical ways to take their next steps as artists including tips on how to get involved in entry-level public art opportunities and resources for exhibiting artwork. In addition, Westover was able to review student’s websites and portfolios and provide feedback to the class about emerging artist opportunities both locally and nationally.
