“Understanding what the acronym BOSCO stands for is helpful: Boise Open Studio Collective Organization. BOSCO is all about literally opening doors to the creative process.
I view the BOSCO studio tour weekend as primarily an educational event; not a sales event per se, though there certainly is artwork available for sale in many studios. In an ever more “virtual” world I believe that it is increasingly important for people (especially youngsters) to realize just how much is created by the human mind, heart and hands.
To see artwork in the context in which it is created is so very different from seeing art in a gallery setting. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see work beautifully and respectfully presented in a gallery. But there it can be almost more of an artifact; another object for sale in a retail environment. In the studio, art is clearly an extension of an individual’s life experience, whatever that may be.
Yes, we tidy-up our workspaces for studio tour. But even so, guests in a studio will see what influences the artist: piles of books, shelves of supplies, color swatches, boxes of odd parts, post-it notes with raw ideas, glimpses of the barely possible. Stacked next to that: tools of the trade, work which has been set aside, work that has just begun, paper and paint, clay and kiln, metal and markers. Each studio is as different as the artist who calls it home.
No matter the workspace, visitors get a feel for the multi-step processes that are used in creating a painting, a sculpture, a print, etc. I contend that knowing the process behind the creation enriches the life of the viewer. Visitors and artists get to make real-time, real-people connections. This is no small thing.
Finally, artists are often collectors too — of things that inspire them, of other artists’ work, of all sorts of things and ideas; let’s face it, you just get to see some cool stuff. And seeing cool stuff can certainly inspire one to take a creative leap in your own life. It did for me.”
~ Lynn Fraley (member since 2009)
BOSCO is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the visual arts.
Established to promote and foster greater understanding of the creative process between artists and the general public, our purpose includes:
- Providing a forum for professional artists to share ideas and concepts that enhance creative endeavors and give artistic and intellectual support.
- Serving as a bridge between artists, collectors and the public.
- Hosting open studios events for the public featuring a weekend-long opportunity to visit member artists’ studios.
- To establish a forum for open discussion among artists, art organizations, and the general public residing in the Treasure Valley area.
- Act as an information resource for the visual arts community for related events such as lectures, exhibitions and classes.
- Create educational opportunities for the public to witness and participate in the creative endeavors of working artists.
- Establish an educational internship program that pairs high school and college students with working artist mentors.
BOSCO members participate in Boise’s arts community in many ways.
- As teachers
- As contributors to Boise’s Public Arts collections
- As mentors to emerging artists
- And through the Open Studios Tour, the goal of which is to serve as a bridge between artists and the public, giving the public the opportunity to better understand the artistic process.
Annual events
- Open Studios Tour: Historically held during the second weekend of October, this event gives the public an opportunity to watch artists at work and see where we create. Meet a diverse group of local artists working in their chosen media -- paint, metal, fiber, glass, photography, assemblage and more.
- Annual Exhibits: View work from BOSCO members. Visit our Events Calendar for current exhibits.
- Educational Opportunities: Many BOSCO members demonstrate their creative process during the openings of annual exhibits, at the Blues & Arts Weekend, and during First Thursday events at the Boise Art Museum.
- Membership Drive: New members are juried annually in April by an independent, outside juror.
BOSCO Bylaws
2021 Board of Directors
Detail descriptions for each Board position are available in the bylaws above.
2021 Marketing Committee
Responsible for marketing and promoting all BOSCO events, including Tour Guides and advertising for Open Studios weekend, all press releases, website and social media activity, and newsletters. Responsible for overseeing the marketing budget and working with the Treasurer and President to maintain an annual budget. Responsible for all bids, quotes, and meeting with vendors as it relates to the advertising and promotion of BOSCO events.
2021 Events Committee
Responsible for coordinating with the Marketing Chair to organize the Open Studios weekend. Coordinate with the Community Education and Outreach Chair to organize artist demos at events. Work to investigate and coordinate other group exhibit opportunities. Organize members to help as needed with exhibits, including art selection/ manpower needed/ hanging/etc.
2021 Membership Committee
Responsible for the approval process for new Artist members and recruitment. Maintain a current/annual database of members to be distributed to the Executive Board for communication and marketing purposes. Coordinate with the Treasurer in collecting dues and determine the qualified active status of members based on payment of dues. Coordinate with the Events Chair on event participation of Participating Artist Member. Maintain an on-going Former and Current membership database.
2021 Community Education and Outreach Committee
Work with the Events Committee on creating educational events that reflect the core values and Purpose of BOSCO. Create educational opportunities for the public to witness and participate in the creative endeavors of working artists. Establish an educational internship program that pairs high school, college students, and emerging artists with BOSCO members.
2021 Development Committee
First year commitment to researching and acquiring the 501c3 Non-Profit status. Will work to investigate and apply for grants, recruit sponsors, recruit donors and other miscellaneous fundraising opportunities.
Are you an artist and want to join us? Read more about Membership here.
Check out our upcoming events and details on the next Boise Open Studios Tour here.