A public art project years in the making has finally come to downtown Boise.
Memory & Vision is a public art installation in Boise, Idaho, created by the public artist and designer duo BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux.
The installation consists of a pair of 9-foot-tall sculptures crafted from laser-cut aluminum, stainless steel, and acrylic resin panels. The sculptures are inscribed with the names of historical places, trades, and vocations. They honor a local heritage that has since been erased from the physical landscape by rapid modern development. It serves as a visual gateway, marking the entrance to the Central Addition neighborhood. The pieces are installed on Broad Street, specifically situated between 5th Street and 6th Street in downtown Boise.
This project dates back to 2019, when the City of Boise first began gathering public feedback on the concept, seeking artwork that reflected the history of the rapidly changing neighborhood. The project was commissioned in 2021, but installation was put on hold while a potential redevelopment project was considered for a nearby property.
The artwork is meant to honor the people, buildings, and businesses that once defined the Central Addition. The weathering steel structures feature the names of former businesses and occupations tied to the neighborhood’s history. Translucent panels and interpretive displays will help tell the stories behind them.
In a statement, the artist said the work is intended to reflect both the neighborhood’s past and its future. The artist notes that the sculptures are meant to act as “bookends” to the block, encouraging people to stop, explore, and learn more about the area’s history.
The finished sculpture stands about 9 feet tall and combines weathering steel, aluminum, acrylic resin panels, and polished stainless steel elements. For longtime Boise residents, the artwork offers a chance to reconnect with pieces of the Central Additions’ past. For newcomers, it serves as a reminder of a rich history in a fast-changing district.
The installation is funded by Capital City Development Corporation and coordinated by the City of Boise’s Department of Arts and History.
Commissioned by the City of Boise and funded by the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), the project officially started in 2019. Following a series of public feedback sessions and a competitive finalist selection, installation was completed with a full public reveal in mid-July 2026.