Jan Freeman Long and Jeffrey Long are new both to Boise and the BAM member community.  In 2018, after spending two years researching various cities across the US, the Longs settled on Boise as their next home.  With a variety of outdoor activities, a tight-knit and creative community, and a host of exceptional museums, Boise was an instant draw to the couple.  Jan has been a passionate painter for more than 20 years.  Her love for visual art inspired Jeff,…

Lee and Nancy Bondurant have been supporters of the Boise Art Museum since the 1970s when they became involved with the Museum early on. After initially becoming BAM members, Lee joined the Board of Trustees in 1987 and Nancy joined the Beaux Arts Société and later the Docent program. Both developed a special interest in BAM that led to involvement such as fundraising and volunteering for the Museum for years to come. Lee fondly remembers his time as a Trustee, “It was…

Bill and Gini Woolley became involved with BAM during the early stages of Collectors Forum, a membership group of art appreciators who are dedicated to the growth of BAM’s Permanent Collection.  This important group creates a lasting legacy by donating funds toward the acquisition of works of art that add depth and value to the Museum’s Permanent Collection, which will benefit future generations of Idahoans. “We were invited to join Collectors Forum as founding members,” Bill explained, “but we joined…

Mary Lou’s gift was realized in 2019, so her contributions to the Museum will live on for future generations. Here is our interview with her in 2013: Mary Lou is an accomplished watercolorist who has been involved with the Museum in numerous capacities over the years.  She began volunteering at BAM as an Art Ambassador and later became a Docent in 1998. She found great pleasure in leading groups of elementary students through the exhibitions.  “Their questions were great and…

Besse’s gift was realized in 2014, so her contributions to the Museum will live on for future generations. Here is our interview with Besse in 2013: Besse began volunteering at BAM as an Art Ambassador in 1999. She spent her time greeting visitors to the Museum and informing them of the current exhibitions.  In 2002 she took on a new challenge and became a BAM Docent, leading tours through the Museum exhibitions.  Her involvement with the Docent Program allowed Besse…

Early childhood experiences at the Boise Art Museum along with encouragement from her parents provided the foundation for Kay Hardy’s commitment to the arts.  “Art and the making of it excited me as a child,” she shared. “I love returning to my own childhood by engaging with families on Toddler Wednesdays.  Getting down on the floor with the kids to explore the world of art and creating with my young art buddies is particularly enjoyable.” Gregory Kaslo lived much of…

Terry Bowman’s interest in art began through his own practice as a painter.  He and Julia began collecting ceramics by John Takehara in 1982 and eventually sponsored John’s Ceramic Tour of the Northwest.  In 2007, the Bowmans moved back to Boise and became members of the Boise Art Museum. They became more involved with BAM through the More Than a Pretty Face program, commissioning works by local artists Divit Cordoza, Francis Fox, and Christine Raymond. When asked what he most…

Tom and Marilyn Beck have been supporters of the Boise Art Museum since 1975 when Marilyn joined the Beaux Arts Société, an organization of women who were fundraising for the Museum. “I had been a teacher before and had an interest in visual arts and the cultural community in Boise,” Marilyn said. As a newcomer to Boise, the group provided Marilyn with opportunities to meet people and be involved in the cultural community. Marilyn also became involved in BAM’s Docent…

Marti Agler first brought students to the Boise Art Museum when she was teaching in Mountain Home. When she moved to Boise and taught in the Gifted Program in 1991, she began escorting student groups to the Museum on a regular basis. It was around that time that she helped develop a Junior Docent program with BAM’s Education department and a BAM Docent, to provide students with the opportunity to complete docent training and put their knowledge of the exhibitions…