Samuel Paden (they/them) has served as Cultural Sites Assistant at the James Castle House since 2021 where they provide engaging visitor experience through tours, events, and program support.

Samuel holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in Painting from Pacific Northwest College of Art and another in Cultural Anthropology and French Studies from Lewis and Clark College. Before joining the Arts & History, Samuel coordinated volunteer projects with the City of Vancouver’s Parks and Recreation Department and served as Boise Open Studios (BOSCO) board president.

Samuel is a two-spirit citizen of the Cherokee Nation and brings with them diverse cross-cultural heritages, including experiences growing up and working overseas. Continuing a lifelong fascination with languages that began during their childhood in the Central African Republic, Samuel is the Department’s resident polyglot! French, Icelandic, and Tsalagi (Cherokee), are just a few of the languages they might greet you in when you visit the James Castle House! As a mixed media artist for over two decades, their creative work is rooted in storytelling and explores gender and the tension between their Indigenous and Settler identities. 

CONTACT SAMUEL
spaden@cityofboise.org, 208-336-6610