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Swell Artist Collective is an open studio and gallery space located in Boise's historic downtown. Formed in November of 2015 and managed by artists Julia Green, Noble Hardesty,  Kelly Knopp, Stuart Holland, and Victor A. Jimenez, Swell is located on the lower level of the Old Mercantile Building in Boise's BoDo district. 

By combining their individual artistic practices and ideas into a common space, the five artists' mission revolves around creating a vibrant studio and gallery environment that is open to the public and intent on helping bolster the community's rapidly-growing arts culture. Swell will be host to both First Thursday and independently organized artistic events while maintaining hours of operation during which people can visit.   

April VanDeGrift

Swell Artist Collective's April VanDeGrift

April Vandegrift

swellboise_april_vandegrift

April VanDeGrift is a painter, illustrator, and sculptor who lives in Boise, Idaho. Since a very young age she has always loved art and drawing. She grew up believing that all things were possible, inspired by an aunt who could draw, paint, sculpt, sew, knit, and build. Meditations about humanity and an interest in dark and strange imagery inspire her to create works which explore the balance of light and dark and the effects of light on objects, works that communicate ideas connected to our changing planet, inspired by the world in which we live. Her process begins with research for content or imagery, followed by simple sketches. First immersing herself within the figurative space of the work, and then creating images that are thought-out, believable and executed with craftsmanship. As an artist, she feels most connected when working everyday, refining her skills and exploring new mediums. Spending her days sculpting, building, drawing, painting -  whatever a project requires, investigating each piece as a problem that needs to be solved. VanDeGrift holds an Associate of Arts degree at Seattle Central Community College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration, and an Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts from Boise State University.

More work can be found on: www.aprilvandegrift.com

CV (PDF)