The Boundary Art Connection

Welcome to the first edition of a monthly arts column. Boundary County is rich with hundreds of artists, creating with wood and paint, song and words, and everything in-between. Each month I will introduce you to some of the artists, showcase some of the art, and invite you to connect with the beauty being created every day all around us.

I’ll start by introducing myself. I am a 20-year resident of Boundary County. Although I wasn’t born and raised here, I have raised my four kids here. From early days at Mt. Hall elementary to now two having graduated from BFHS, they are all rooted here and so am I. 

I am a full-time working artist with a studio gallery in downtown Bonners Ferry. You’re sure to hear more about that periodically, as I am constantly hosting events and coming up with ways to elevate our local art community. I love how my little gallery serves as a nexus for both artistic inspiration and community coordination. 

When you live in a place for half of your life, especially if it’s a small town like ours, you start to assume you know everyone. But since opening the gallery I have met dozens of artists I previously knew nothing about. Just yesterday, for example, a man named Mickey came in and shared his impressive portfolio of pencil drawings with me. Like many others locally, he has been tucked away, creating alone and unknown to many. That is both the ideal and the curse of life as an artist–wanting to create in solitude, and then being frustrated that no one knows about your art!

While future months will highlight individuals, events, and other art happenings, today I’ll be highlighting three collectives of artists. 

First must be a nod to the Artist Association of Boundary County that has been operating for years with a rotating display of members’ work in Mountain West Bank, the library, and the hospital. The group meets monthly to share current work and choose the next “Artist of the Month” to be featured in the exhibits. Next time you find yourself at one of these locations, I encourage you to take a moment to take in the current display.

Second is an exciting upcoming event that will give Boundary County artists a unique opportunity to show off their work. Tamara Wagner of Wood Thief Art and I are organizing the 2024 Boundary County Artist Studio Tour which will take place September 14-15. This will allow the public to discover and purchase directly from some of the many local creatives who don’t have a permanent storefront. The deadline to apply to participate has been extended to June 10, and information can be found at teascarlet.com. 

Finally is one of my favorite events of all–The BFHS Art Walk, which will be May 31 from 3-5 p.m. I love seeing what the students have been busy creating all year long! Thirty-two students will be downtown on the sidewalks, showing off their work. Come admire and purchase original artwork from talented young artists. Cross your fingers for nice weather, and come support these young creatives!

Until next month, I’ll leave you with one question: do you have art that you love?