Release Date: 1/22/2026
Artists Selected for City of Boise’s 2026 Traffic Box and Linen District Fence Public Art
Nine new artist-designed traffic control boxes inspired by Climate Action will be added to downtown and various Boise neighborhoods; Linen District Fence to get new works.
The annual Traffic Box Art and Linen District Fence programs have grown to be prominent features of the City of Boise’s Public Art Collection. Both installations highlight the work of local artists.
Traffic Box Art
Made possible with the support of Ada County Highway District (ACHD), the City of Boise’s Department of Public Works, and city leadership, this year’s Traffic Box Art opportunity asked applicants to explore the intersection between community and climate through one of the seven Climate Action Roadmap priorities: Buildings and Energy, Transportation, Consumption and Waste, Food Systems, Natural Environment, Water, and Innovation and Engagement.
A community-based panel composed of representatives of the local artist and business communities, Idaho Conservation League, the City of Boise’s Climate Action division, and the Arts & History Commission reviewed and scored applications based on aesthetic considerations, ability to follow through, and how the artist’s proposal responded to the concept prompt. Of the 81 submissions received, nine local artists were selected and will be awarded $1,200 to implement their design proposal.
The selected artists and locations for 2026 are:
- Annika Kalac (Water) – Corner of Alpine St. & Latah St.
- Cipriana Phillips (Natural Environment) – Corner of 11th St. & Jefferson St.
- Danielle Mitten (Innovation and Engagement) – Whittier Elementary, 301 N. 29th St.
- Hailee Parman (Natural Environment) – Crosswalk 960 N. Veterans Memorial Parkway
- Jaime Roberts (Consumption and Waste) – Corner of 13th St. & Resseguie St.
- Mariel Jasso (Transportation) – Corner of 10th & Grove St.
- McKenna Howard (Buildings and Energy) – Roundabout at Reserve St. & Fort St.
- Mitsuko Stoddard (Transportation) – 195 S. Capitol Blvd.
- Sam Archide (Food Systems) – Corner of Roosevelt St. & Cassia St.
The artists will work with Boise design-build studio Trademark Creative to translate their proposals into a vinyl wrap that will be applied to the box. The boxes are anticipated to be wrapped by September 2026.
Now in its 17th year, the Traffic Box Art program offers both emerging and established artists the opportunity to use a variety of media that is transferred to a vinyl wrap and applied to ACHD traffic control boxes. Initially focused on the downtown core, the collection has now expanded into neighborhoods and along major vehicle and pedestrian corridors, with priority on high visibility intersections, proximity with schools, libraries, and other public facilities. Today, there are 219 wrapped boxes. Explore the Traffic Box Art collection. The 2027 Traffic Box Art call to artists is slated to open in fall 2026.
Linen District Fence
Launched 15 years ago, the Linen District Fence opportunity invites artists to create artwork on four 2’ x 4’ panels on the black fence, west of the Linen Building, on Grove Street, between 14th and 15th streets. The artworks are displayed in this location for one year, then rotated through Boise Public Library branches and sometimes incorporated into the City of Boise’s Portable Works collection. The call for artists asked applicants to consider how their proposed work creatively reflects the passage of time.
A community-based selection panel composed of representatives of the local artist and business communities, and Arts & History Commission reviewed and scored applications based on aesthetic considerations, ability to follow through, and how the artist’s proposal responded to both the concept prompt and the proposed experience of interacting with the work. Of the 23 submissions received, Boise artist Suzanne Lee Chetwood, known to the art world as Suzanne DeSoleil, was selected and will be awarded $4,000 to implement her design proposal. Learn more: SuzanneDeSoleil.com
For this opportunity, Suzanne DeSoleil is creating four vibrant, three-dimensional paintings paired with ceramic vessels. Each vessel will house living plants which will grow and change throughout the seasons. Made possible in partnership with Gardner Group and Boise Parks and Recreation, her panels are slated to be installed in April 2026 and will replace Elizabeth Hilton’s The Walk Home from Work. The 2027 Linen District Fence call to artists is slated to open in summer 2026.
About the Boise City Department of Arts & History
The Department of Arts & History is Boise’s local cultural agency dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging through accessible and place-based arts and history. Our mission is to cultivate a distinct sense of place which reflects Boise’s rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting. Our operations empower and serve Boise residents as we create opportunities that nurture and sustain Boise’s past and its creative economy. More information: boiseartsandhistory.org
