Ops for Art

Three local resources to help you spread your artistic wings

Published online: Oct 18, 2021 Articles, Lifestyle Steve Smede

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Looking for some avenues to help you hone your creative chops? Idaho Falls has a number of opportunities to put you on the path. Around the region, you’ll find a healthy handful of organizations and communities to get you started. Three in particular include the Eagle Rock Art Guild, The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (TAM) and the artist studios at the Willard Arts Center.

Eagle Rock Art Guild

www.eaglerockartguild.com

Founded in 1948 by Helen Aupperle, Fred Ochi, Suzanne Fonnesbeck and Ina Schwartz, the Eagle Rock Art Guild has long been a staple for the local arts community. What began as a modest effort to encourage local artists soon blossomed into regular art shows for the public to enjoy.

The guild has sponsored numerous events over the years, including a spring Easter weekend show, a Christmas Holiday Show and numerous individual exhibits and workshops by renowned artists.

For a true showcase of its creative reach, look no further than the organization’s annual Sidewalk Arts Festival, held every summer on the River Walk along Memorial Drive. Complete with food vendors and live entertainment, the free two-day event features exceptional art by guild members and attracts thousands of people each year.

The first step toward becoming a member of the guild is to reach out to the organization through its website’s Applications page. Be prepared to provide a detailed description of your medium and process, as well as five examples of your work.

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho

www.theartmuseum.org

This riverside property, known to many locals as “TAM,” features a rotating schedule of outstanding exhibits, and has a special focus on the acquisition and display of works by Idaho artists. It also provides a constant stream of art education, serving populations of all creative levels, ages and artistic stripes.

TAM opened its doors in the fall of 2002, and operates as a designated nonprofit art museum and art education center. As the only arts-focused museum in the area, it is home to five galleries, a children’s interactive art learning area, an art classroom/workshop and a gift shop.

Although only a few solo exhibitions make it into the main gallery, TAM does accept formal proposals from individual artists. The best way to introduce yourself and your work: Contact the TAM curatorial staff about becoming a Museum Artist member, which will provide opportunities for you to exhibit in group shows 2-3 times per year.

Willard Arts Center Studios

www.idahofallsarts.org

Have you already developed your craft and are now looking for the next step? For many artists, that simply means creating the physical space to accommodate their work.

At its Historic Downtown location on A Street, the Idaho Falls Art Council (IFAC) has nine artist studios on the second floor of the Willard Arts Center, as well as a basement office located around the corner at 440 N. Capital.

Studio sizes range from 110 to 300 square feet. Most have natural lighting, and all artists have access to a break room, kitchen and bathrooms.

The best way to get notified of openings and other WAC activities is to follow IFAC on Facebook. As a WAC studio artist, you’ll be part of an annual exhibition of recent work in the Hall Gallery.

Artists get 24-hour access to their studios, reduced rental fees for use of other WAC spaces and the opportunity to exhibit in the Hall Community Gallery.