Mike and I went to the state capitol this weekend. We attended a concert Saturday —Filter, Coal Chamber, Combichrist and American Head Charge if you're curious — and then spent Sunday morning simply walking around down town.
As far as cities and state capitols go, Boise really is not that big, but when you are from a really small town like I am (Blackfoot, if you're curious), even little 'ole Boise is awe-inspiring. One of the first things that struck me as unique were all the people who were just hanging out, sitting outside coffee shops, not just soaking in the free Wi-Fi but the company of others and the peace of a Sunday morning as well.
There were so many little shops — restaurants with foods from most every ethnicity, night clubs (not bars, night clubs, and yes, there is a difference). There was a little hang out in a basement that featured an array of 80s arcade games. There was even a peanut store. Seriously.
There is a blend of history and modernism in Boise — hipsters and vegans sitting on the steps of a building that is well over a hundred years old. And it works.
People have preserved the history here. The city hall building has stone remnants from the original building on display, and the original offices of The Statesman (Boise-based newspaper) still has the small tiles spelling out it's name in the entry way.
And then there's the art. Where do I even start? Signs of human creativity were everywhere. It is amazing what people can publicly express when allowed to do so.
My good friend introduced me to Freak Alley, which is a section of alley-ways that have been turned into an outdoor art gallery. The backside of several buildings, the standard terra cotta or gray brick, have been covered in beautiful pieces of art. I could have spent hours there, it was like being in another dimension. None of it was violent, or obscene, or hateful or anything else people may have reservations about with regards to public art displays. There was no gang affiliation that I could see, although being from a small town I doubt I'd recognize gang signs unless they jumped up and shanked with a whittled down toothbrush handle. Just saying.
It made me really wish for something similar here in Old Town Pocatello. We have plenty of alleys and brick buildings? Why not let local artists go crazy and create something beautiful. All of the businesses that call Old Town home would certainly appreciate all of the extra traffic, people coming by just to see the art. I've given some serious thought to pitching the idea to the folks who manage Old Town. I don't know, maybe I will, I just honestly don't see the idea of this going very far here.
If anything, it really inspired me. It has been far too long since I have painted, created. I'm not saying I'm good at it, mind you, but that's not the point. Being creative is something that is innate in me, I have always had a driving desire to make things beautiful, to add color and inspiration to an otherwise dull surface. To inspire, to enlighten, to make you or anybody else see the world just a little bit differently.
I'll share any future creations. :)
Here are some photos I took while there. Want to see more? Click here to visit the Freak Alley Facebook page.
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