Exploring Art Source Gallery
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If you’ve ever popped into Art Source Gallery, you’ve probably realized right away that it isn't the kind of gallery where you have to whisper, keep your hands behind your back, or pretend you “know art.” Instead, it’s a working, artist-run gallery that’s been quietly shaping Boise’s art community for more than 30 years. Built by artists and sustained through collaboration, Art Source Gallery is grounded in the belief that high-quality art should feel accessible, approachable, and meant to be lived with. How it all startedArt Source Gallery was born in the late summer of 1993, when a “call to artists” went out across Boise. The question was simple: What would it look like to start a gallery run by artists, for artists, and for the community? The first meeting was organized by Dr. Jon Lee and brought together artists and supporters curious enough to imagine something different. The group landed on a small but meaningful commitment where anyone who wanted to keep exploring the idea would contribute $50, which would be refunded if the gallery never came to life. People left energized. The idea stuck. After much thought and negotiation, a lease was signed in the Stein-McMurray Building at Capitol Boulevard and Front Street (a building that no longer stands). On November 3, 1993, Art Source Gallery officially opened its doors at with a three-member jury selecting 35 founding artists to show their work. From the beginning, the gallery was structured as a cooperative. This way, artists would share space, costs, and responsibility, while avoiding the barriers that often make traditional galleries feel intimidating or out of reach. Evolving with the cityOver the years, the gallery moved through two additional downtown locations, adapting and growing alongside the city’s creative scene. Eventually, it landed where it is today at 1516 W. Grove Street. Today, Art Source Gallery is home to 40+ member artists and governed by a 7-member volunteer Board of Directors. There are no paid staff. Every shift, every show, every event, every piece of marketing is powered by the artists themselves – many of whom bring skills from previous careers in design, education, business, and beyond. It’s not just a gallery. It’s a working ecosystem. A gallery built on communityTalking with artist Bruce Tarbet, one thing came up again and again: community. Art Source Gallery is deeply collaborative by necessity. Everyone volunteers time staffing the gallery, organizing shows, marketing, and hosting events. But that collaboration often turns into connection, mentorship, and creative momentum. For artists new to Boise, it can be a doorway into the city’s cultural life. For longtime members, it’s a place to keep growing, experimenting, and staying creatively accountable. The monthly rotation requirement might sound intimidating, but as Bruce put it, constraint often fuels creativity. It’s also a space where artists genuinely support one another – sharing opportunities, attending each other’s shows, and connecting across disciplines in ways that ripple out into the broader arts community. Inside the galleryOne of the things that makes Art Source Gallery feel alive is how often it changes. As part of membership, artists commit to rotating at least 25% of their work every month, which means the gallery never feels static. Pieces move. Walls shift. Entire sections are reimagined by a hanging committee that gathers early on the last Sunday of each month to thoughtfully reconfigure the space. Inside the gallery you’ll find so many types of art, including painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media, ceramics, wood art, glass, sculpture, and more. Works range from small, giftable pieces to major statement art. There’s also a rotating featured artist wall, seasonal shows, and special exhibitions throughout the year, including:
The goal is always the same: keep the work fresh, engaging, and approachable. Meet the artistsArt Source Gallery’s roster includes artists working across an incredible range of mediums and styles, from nationally recognized photographers and printmakers to ceramicists, sculptors, and emerging voices. The artists you’ll see at Art Source Gallery, along with a few guests:
More than a galleryAt its core, Art Source Gallery exists to make art feel possible — possible to buy, possible to understand, possible to experience. Not every piece is inexpensive, but many are. Not every visitor is an art collector, and that’s the point. Whether you’re browsing, learning, gifting, or slowly building a collection, Art Source Gallery meets you where you are. More than 30 years after that first meeting in 1993, the gallery continues to do exactly what its founders hoped: bring high-quality art into the community in a way that feels inclusive, human, and real. You can visit Art Source Gallery at 1516 W Grove Street in downtown Boise. The Gallery's holiday hours are Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-4pm. The Gallery will be closed on Dec 25 and Jan 1. Thanks for reading! With love from Boise, Marissa
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