Get involved with Backyard Artists!
What We Do
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Literary Publication
Under the direction of co-editors Blake Hunter and Sophia Hue, BYA publishes Paper Plane Press — a biannual collaborative literary publication distributed digitally and in physical copies (available for purchase).
Volume 4 coming soon :)
Volume 3: click to read volume 3 with 18 published writers.
Volume 2: click to read volume 2 with 18 published writers.
Paper Plane Press Volume 1 published 13 emerging Boise authors in three genres: poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. BYA also auditions visual artists to design the cover and illustrate each edition.
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Visual Art
BYA now offers studio space in downtown Boise. 11’x11’ studios available as of April 1, 2026. By renting with Backyard Artists, we look to create opportunity for those artists investing in us by hosting exhibitions for these artists to showcase their work in front of grander audiences. For more info email thebackyardartists@gmail.com
Past:
BYA collaborates with emerging Treasure Valley artists to host engaging community-based visual art galleries, installations, and events. In 2024, BYA partnered with 15 local artists of varying mediums to create a large installation “Dreamscape” for JUMP Boise’s Illumibrate Festival.
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Readings & Open Mics
Following each publication of Paper Plane Press, BYA hosts an official Launch Party with readings from each published author. Check out the reading of Volume 1!
BYA also hosts public Open Mics for readers and performers of all ages and experience levels — often partnering with other local businesses and orgs, like Death Rattle Literary, Mad Swede Brewery, and The Lit Room.
Interested in participating in an Open Mic?
Check out our event page for our latest opportunities. -
Community Events & Workshops
BYA is proud to host mix-and-mingle style community events to facilitate creativity, connection, and collaboration within the Boise art community. Some of our past events include: Speed Friending, Artist Mixer & Karaoke, Art by the River, and more!
Occasionally, BYA also presents specified artistry workshops to give community members the opportunity to learn new art techniques and skills, like collaging, poetry reading, and framing artwork.
Interested in teaching a skilled workshop?
Reach out to us on Instagram!
Rent a studio
Leave your information below for us to reach out to you about studio rentals in Downtown Boise.
Each studio is 11’x11’ in the heart of Boise’s Bodo District on 8th street.
$250 per month and can be shared between two artists! Artists who invest in these studios will be the artists Backyard Artists works with for exhibitions and showcases.
2 month lease signings with option to extend. No solvent art mediums, at least in the space we are now!
Join the Backyard Artists Team!
Illumibrate Festival March 2024
Backyard Artists brought together a team of 15 local artists to create an immersive, larger than life, multimedia installation. Under the festival’s theme of “DREAMS,” the BYA artists’ team utilized hanging sculptures, lighting design, found objects, dance performances, soundscape, and more to transform JUMP’s Pioneer Room into an ethereal Dreamscape, all centered around the custom-designed inflatable brain.
Paper Plane Press:
Volume 1 Reading
After selecting and publishing 13 emerging authors in the first edition of Paper Plane Press, BYA hosted the Volume 1 Launch Party where authors had the opportunity to read their original pieces to an audience of about 140 people.
