Site Sponsors
Archives
Read past editions of Images of Southern Idaho magazine.
Local Advertisers
Site Sponsors
Contact Us
Feedback
Let us know your thoughts...
Advertising Info
Need more info? Looking for ad specifications?
Special Section
Southern Idaho Tourism
Click here to read
Local Advertisers
Culture
Magic Valley Embraces Its Creative Side by Supporting the Arts
In addition to works of art, the Art and Science Center also features displays of reptiles.
Twin Falls cares so much for the arts that its city council passed an Art in Public Places resolution in June 2007.
That resolution dedicates an annual percentage of municipal capital improvement funding toward acquiring and installing public art in the Twin Falls community. The first public art project is a sculpture called The Twins‚ which is now a permanent landmark near the Snake Canyon.
“The sculpture is by artist David Clemons of Coeur d’ Alene‚ Idaho‚ and it features two angels reaching skyward as they rise out of the Snake Canyon rim‚” says Stacy Madsen‚ executive director of the Magic Valley Arts Council in Twin Falls. “It is incredible.”
The sculpture will be unveiled in March 2008‚ and Madsen says it will add another dimension to the overall splendor of the community.
“The sculpture is quite stunning – it is a lovely addition to our beautiful scenic landscape‚” she says. “Art is welcomed here in Twin Falls‚ and this masterpiece can be appreciated for generations to come.”
Madsen says the Magic Valley community supports many nonprofit and social issues‚ including the arts.
“People here understand that the arts make a community more attractive‚” she says. “They appreciate what the arts can do for a city as far as inspiration and charm.”
Besides the sculpture project‚ an annual program called Arts on Tour is overseen by the Magic Valley Arts Council.
The program features nine performing arts productions at the College of Southern Idaho‚ staged from September through May.
“Arts on Tour is now in its 19th season‚” Madsen says. “The council is also involved with a Jazz in the Canyon festival each June‚ featuring a weekend of music along with a wine-tasting event.”
But Twin Falls isn’t the only place in Southern Idaho where the arts are flourishing. There are attractions and venues such as Howells Opera House in Oakley‚ the King Fine Arts Center in Burley‚ Idaho International Dance & Music Festival in Rexburg and Burley‚ and the Company of Fools performing arts theatre in Hailey.
“In Buhl‚ we have been in existence for 20 years staging concerts and performances every other month‚” says Terry Halbert‚ general manager of the Buhl Arts Council. “We also have a gallery at our Eighth Street Center headquarters‚ and we bring many visual and performing arts programs to school children in Buhl‚ Castleford and the Twin Falls areas.”
Halbert agrees that the Magic Valley is a hotbed for the arts.
“I think art abounds here because the people are creative and are always looking for something new‚” he says. “There are a lot of artists who hang out here and call Southern Idaho their home. It’s a beautiful place to live and work‚ so adding performing and visual arts to that equation make the Magic Valley an even healthier overall environment.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Jeff Adkins
Additional Culture Articles
© Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc.
All rights reserved. No portion of this Web site may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.