Local Boise Artists
By Veronica Lemaster
Photos by Kimberlee Miller
Suzanne Lee Chetwood- Suzanne Lee Chetwood is a local artist from Pennsylvania who specializes in Idaho landscape paintings. Growing up in a sheltered forest in Pennsylvania, she remembers observing colors in the sunset before learning how to read. Chetwood’s work focuses on healing practices, such as color therapy and physical and mental healing, due to her suffering from chronic pain since she was 12. “Everything I put into my work is filled with great energy and good intentions,” Chetwood said.
Being diagnosed with a life changing illness has shifted the lens of Chetwood’s work to be Earth driven and featuring “cut-outs” that represent another dimension, or the road not taken for each personal story of healing. She was recently notified by St Alphonsus regional medical center that her style of art has been proven by scientists to heal chronic pain. Chetwood is a member of Swell Artist collective with a local gallery representation at Finer Frames Gallery in Eagle. She is currently focusing on gallery work and private commissions. You can paint with her at Paint N’ Sip, where she brings her fun teaching style and bubbly personality to each private party. See her work shine at Evermore Prints in Boise the month of July. Join her for the closing reception the Last Thursday of July! On July 26th, from 5-9pm, you can meet Chetwood and see her latest work which she describes as opening up about her personal struggle with autoimmune diseases and Lyme disease. Wine tasting hosted by Indian Creek Winery and Americana live music by Andy Porter. To learn more about what everything Chetwood has done, or upcoming events, visit her website at suzanneleechetwood.com.
(208) 433-0220
Fire Fusion Studio- Fire Fusion Studio specializes in metal and glass enamel fabrication, a new concept to Boise. Owner Delia Dante works with copper and steel, emblazoned with beautiful enamel colors to create sculptures, wall pieces, and jewelry. She also specializes in commission work—you may have seen Dante’s fourteen-foot sculpture “Me Deuce” at Barbacoa. Fire Fusion Studio shares studio space with Boise Art Glass at their downtown location, as the owners are business partners.
Dante was a teacher for 12 years and taught art classes at a junior high in Boise. She has also been a professional enamel artist since 2004, which is why she decided to teach the skill. “I had the desire to teach people my passion, and my passion is enameling and welding, and pretty much nobody knows about enameling, they don’t even know what it is!” she said. With that, she decided to make a change. “I wanted my medium to flourish and grow, and I also wanted people to enjoy it, and I know the only way to get people to learn about it was to have a place public to teach it and share it,” she said. Alongside getting people to learn about enameling, Dante has a mission of empowering women in using tools, welding, and art. “We have this life to help others,” Dante added. Fire Fusion Studio offers custom fabrication and custom orders along with a full retail gallery to choose from. Although it’s a new business, Dante has seen nothing but positive feedback and has taught nearly 4,000 people enameling. Learn more about enameling, welding and Fire Fusion Studio at firefusion-studio.com, and call (208) 345-1825 to book a class!
1124 W. Front St. in downtown Boise (208) 345-1825
Boise Art Glass- Interested in glass blowing? Then Boise Art Glass is the place for you! Art Glass provides classes such as torch and flameworking, and a furnace and hotshop class that anyone above the age of 8 can participate in. In 2003, owner Filip Vogelpohl opened Boise Art Glass to spread the word on art blowing and teach his skills to the community. “A great portion of what we do here is to expose anyone and everyone who’s interested about glass blowing,” said Vogelpohl. His interest in glass sparked when he was exposed to glass blowing in Eugene, Oregon. He decided to try it out and became hooked. “The first year was strictly self-taught, where I would basically melt glass,” he said. “Then I would take seminars and classes to learn more but had to travel because nothing like that existed in Boise.” After doing that for a period of time, Vogelpohl decided to bring glass blowing to Boise. As the city grows, he hopes the business will grow with it, and aspires to see more people interested in glass blowing. “We really appreciate the community and how it’s supported this business,” he added.
Boise Art Glass also specializes in commission work, which includes lighting for residential and commercial places. For instance, the gorgeous chandelier at Barbacoa Grill was done by Vogelpohl, along with the Inn at 500 lighting fixtures. They also do wholesale and ship to 48 different gift shops in the United States. Join them in one of their many classes and hand-make and item of your own! To sign up for a class or shop retail, visit boiseartglass.com.
1124 W Front St. in downtown Boise (208) 345-1825
Gallery 601- Looking for one-of-a-kind art to hang in your home? Look no further! Gallery 601 has been the go-to shop for everything art related. Owned by Terry Begg and Christine Otradovec, the retail shop specializes in the sale of art originals, graphics, fine art limited edition prints, collectable figurines, and art-related products. They also sell handcrafted jewelry and offer a ‘private shopping hour’ that’s designed for that one-on-one personal experience. Since 1981, the gallery has been providing Boise with one-of-a kind art, along with the finest creative custom framing that are museum standards. With the goal to continue to bring customers a high standard of art through artist receptions, artists display, and community fund raising events, Gallery 601 features new artists giving Boise a vast selection of art to choose from. The featured artist this month is Howard Terpning, an American painter and illustrator known for his paintings of Native Americans. Visit Gallery 601, or visit their website at gallery601.com to view and purchase his work.
211 N 10th Street in downtown Boise (208) 336-5899
