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, and the two have a long history of involvement with arts organizations including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Berkley Arts Center, the Petaluma Arts Council, and the Crocker Art Museum.

During one of their first visits to Boise, the Longs were immediately impressed by the Boise Art Museum.  They had high hopes for a vibrant visual arts scene in Boise, and BAM was the perfect fit.  “We fell in love with the Treasure Valley, and one of the first places we had to see was the Boise Art Museum.  We knew right away we wanted be a part of the Museum, and we became members before we even moved to Boise.”  Jan says, “BAM’s exhibitions are well done, highly accessible, and speak to different generations.  A good art museum is like an invitation to experience what inspires us and feeds us at the creative level.  As a result, we see through different perspectives and we grow from that.”  The two appreciate the exhibitions BAM presents from local, regional, national, and international artists.  Jeff notes, “One of the most important things an art museum can do is to reach out to artists locally and outside of the area.  BAM succeeds at bringing in many voices to our community.”  One of the first events the Longs attended at BAM was the exhibition opening for Boise artist Charles Gill, Jan’s former professor at the California College of Arts and Crafts.  Gill’s exhibition, Observatory, remains one of their favorite exhibitions, in addition to The 2017 Idaho Triennial and Modern and Contemporary Ceramics.

Jan and Jeffrey and thrilled to be the newest additions to BAM’s 1937 Circle.  Their decision to include BAM in their estate plans was, what they describe as, a “natural choice” as dedicated supporters of the arts.  While membership is a way to support the Museum now, the Longs want their planned gift to have an even bigger impact for BAM.  They believe in supporting and sustaining the Museum for the present and the future.  “We want to do whatever we can to further the well-being of the visual arts and culture.  It’s important to keep things going in your community beyond your own time.”