What: During Meridian Art Week 2023, the Meridian Arts Commission will present a discussion panel on How To Create a Stellar Application. This panel is geared towards artists and will cover what makes an artist’s application or portfolio stand out, with some insider’s perspective on how key decisions are made when selecting artists for various projects.
Light refreshments will be served.
When: September 20, 12pm - 1pm
Where: Initial Point Gallery, 3rd floor, City Hall
How to Attend: Free Registration, Please Register in Advance Here
Moderator:
John McMahon, Artist Services Director, Idaho Commission on the Arts
John McMahon is the Director of Artist Services at the Idaho Commission on the Arts, where he supplies professional development information and support to individual artists.
John holds a B.A. in studio art from Oberlin College and a Master of Fine Arts from Boise State University, where he teaches Introduction to Art. His work has been juried into three consecutive Boise Art Museum Triennials.
As a musician, John is primarily a cellist who has performed with the Boise Baroque, Darkwood Consort, Serenata Orchestra, and others. He has recorded and toured with numerous independent bands including Boise’s Built to Spill.
Panelists:
Sandra Davis, Art and Special Events Manager, Riverside Hotel
Sandra Davis is the Art and Special Events Manager for the Treasure Valley’s largest hotel--The Riverside Hotel in Boise. She manages and curates the Water’s Edge Gallery located throughout the hotel’s expansive public areas and corridors.
Sandra has been working in the art world from a young age and has a passion for showcasing local artists in all genres and mediums. Sandra is dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all visitors to the gallery. She believes art has the power to bring people together and inspire positive change in the world.
In her spare time, Sandra enjoys her garden, grandchildren, and creating her own art.
Jodi Echelberger, Program Director, Surel's Place
Jodi Eichelberger is the Program Director at Surel’s Place and manages the Artist-in-Residence program. He produces the First Friday Art & Studio Stroll in Garden City and is the producing artistic director of Story Story Night. He served as a member of the NEA 2023 Artist Communities Grant Panel and as a member of the Alexa Rose Foundation selection committee for grants in the Performing Arts.
Beyond Boise, he may be best known as a member of the original Broadway cast of Avenue Q and for his role as “Stingy” in the international children’s television show LazyTown. He worked with the Jim Henson Company in film and on stage. He is currently editing a collection of his personal narratives, Audience of One, scheduled for release in late fall. Since coming to Boise, Jodi has performed as an actor with Alley Repertory Theater and Boise Contemporary Theater.
Bobby Gaytan, Meridian Arts Commissioner; Artist
Bobby Gaytan was born in Nampa, Idaho. As former migrant farmworkers, his family moved annually from South Texas, to East Michigan, and then to South Idaho to work in the crop fields. During his time in Texas he started admiring street art and began sketching his own urban landscapes. He went on to earn a BFA in Graphic Design from Boise State University in 2001 and started working for the Bureau of Reclamation as an Illustrator shortly after. He owns a creative company called Blakbook Pages where he works on commissioned projects like murals and digital illustrations. His passion is geared towards helping youth achieve their goals through creativity, hard work, and dedication. He currently serves as an Arts Commissioner for the City of Meridian.
Nelli Garibyan, Idaho Art Gallery
Nelli Garibyan is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for transforming small businesses into thriving ventures. With a marketing degree from Boise State University, Nelli began a job in advertising sales. Nelli then started several businesses and sold them with multiple returns, leading her to a successful business consulting role.
During a sabbatical from her business ventures, Nelli found herself at a unique intersection with her father, Bill Garibyan, who had been diligently honing his craft in the realm of oil painting. Two years ago, their worlds seamlessly merged, and they decided to collaborate in the art gallery space, giving birth to the Idaho Art Gallery located in downtown Meridian.
