Boise artist James Castle (1899-1977) is arguably Idaho’s most famous visual artist. Born deaf, Castle relied on found materials to make his art. He used paper scraps and packaging, twine, and paint made of soot and spit to create his famously atmospheric and frequently poignant drawings, collages, assemblages, books and more.
James Castle’s drawing of the house on Eugene Street.
Castle’s former home, the James Castle House at 5015 Eugene St. in Boise’s Collister neighborhood, will open to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon April 28. Other festivities include self-guided tours from 1-6 p.m. and music from Hillfolk Noir from 1-4 p.m. Kathleen Keys, chair of Boise State’s Department of Art, will lead a found materials arts workshop on the house’s Great Lawn from 1-4 p.m.
More events taking place in April on the Boise State campus and across the city