Wander by the Winter Windows: First Thursday hosts art downtown

First Thursdays are events in themselves, with galleries open to the public, restaurants serving cheap food and drinks and entertainment, but this month’s First Thursday transforms downtown, down to the windows, for the “Winter Window Gallery.”

COURTESY/YENG MARTINEZ Team ‘Paper Souls’ created this two-sided display for Paisley Roberts as part of the Window Windows Gallery.

The “Winter Window Gallery” teams local artists, and businesses to create holiday window art. The event started as a project by the Downtown Boise Association and Boise City Art Commission to feature the work of local artist willing to lend their talents in revamping downtown for the holidays.

“The window gallery was initiated to create a totally unique art gallery experience in downtown,” said Morgan Cole, representative of the Downtown Boise Association. “We produce the Winter Window Gallery in effort to engage the community.”

The Winter Window Gallery has become an annual event and a part of the larger “Christmas in the City”, which starts with the Holiday Tree-lighting Celebration. Cole said the event popularity has risen with visitors to downtown and the businesses who participate.

“The event’s grown from eight to 25 businesses participating since the inception in 2006,” Cole said.

The Winter Window Gallery is not the only event in this month’s First Thursday, as the regular mix of deals, open galleries, and music are also happening. All the action that’s a part of First Thursday runs from 5-9 p.m. This month’s First Thursday features art ranging from the high-brow at the Boise Art Museum to home-made belts, buckles, switch covers, and earrings at Mc’U Sports on West Jefferson St.

COURTESY/YENG MARTINEZ Paper Dolls watch over the pedestrians of this holiday season from the window of Paisley Roberts.

Art not your scene, but have a love for music? If you’re 21 or older, go listen to the Frim Fram 4, one of the best Jazz bands in Boise, at Pengilly’s Saloon on West Main Street. Toe-tapping starts at 8:45 p.m.

For a list of all the events and windows decorated for the “Winter Window Gallery” check out the Downtown Boise Association’s Web site, downtownboise.org.

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Posted by Evan Westerfield on Dec 2 2009. Filed under Culture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.