Surel Mitchell Live-Work-Create District
A GARDEN OF CREATIVITY
The Surel Mitchell Live-Work-Create District provides more seamless lives to artists and artisans, in which living space supports creativity and creative space supports lives.
DISTRICT HISTORY
In 1998, well-known Boise artist Surel Mitchell built a home in Garden City where she would not only live but also create and share her art. Surel became active in the community, serving on Garden City’s Planning & Zoning Commission and the city’s first Arts Commission. During those efforts, she introduced and championed the idea of designating a special area of the city as a “live, work, create district.”
In 2007, thanks to her efforts, the Garden City city council formally approved the creation of such a district between the city limits to the east and 37th Street on both sides of Chinden Blvd. After her passing in 2011, the Garden City city council officially named the Live, Work, Create District in her honor.
Surel’s family and friends have transformed her Garden City home into “Surel’s Place,” a non-profit artist-in-residence program that attracts artists from around the nation and the world. This legacy offers artists and artisans the opportunity to experience Surel’s live-work-create dream.
A NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE NO OTHER
While you may work and create indoors, you’ll be tempted to take advantage of the unique neighborhood that’s right outside your door and it will be easy to meet other artisans who share your interests and community spirit.
The District boasts many amenities:
- The Greenbelt: Take a stroll or a bicycle ride.
- The Boise River and Whitewater Park: Kayaking and board surfing to watch or join.
- Restaurants, Wineries, and Breweries: including Telaya and Coiled Wineries and Western Collective Brewery tasting rooms, The Yardarm (seasonal), Caffé Luciano's, the Sandbar at the Riverside (seasonal), the Stagecoach Inn, and Push and Pour Coffee.
- The Riverside Hotel: A destination resort with live entertainment and dining virtually every day and evening of the year.
- The Visual Arts Collective (VAC): Offers plays, concerts, and art shows.
- Audio Lab Recording Studio offers live music programs.
- Art Studios and Galleries: including Surel’s Place, Studio 1212, Zion Art Glass, Door #3 Collaborative Workshop, and many, many individual artist studios.
For more information, click on the above links or contact Garden City’s Development Services Department at 208-472-2921 or the Garden City Visitors Bureau at 208-918-4217.