Nature Art Workshop Series At Bogus Basin

Bogus Basin’s Nature Art Workshop Series Inspires Creativity and Caring for Nature by Teaching Outdoor Painting and Drawing

BOISE, ID — This summer, Bogus Basin is partnering with Catalyst Arts Collaborative to offer a series of nature-based art workshops that invite participants to deepen their connection to the outdoors through hands-on creativity. The Nature Art Workshops with Catalyst Arts series includes two Intro to Plein Air Painting classes on July 15^th and July 22^nd, followed by a Nature Art Drawing workshop on August 2^nd, all held at Bogus Basin. Plein air painting is the practice of creating art outdoors, allowing artists to observe and capture natural light, color, and scenery in real time.

“Our goal is to create meaningful connections between people and the mountain. Partnering with local arts organizations and offering programs like these helps us reach a broader community and expand what outdoor recreation can look like.”

– Susan Saad, Bogus Basin, Director of Community Relations

Led by local artists and educators, the workshops aim to make outdoor art accessible to participants of all skill levels, ages 12 and up. Each session costs $10, with full scholarships available through the Art Start Fund, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent creative growth and outdoor engagement. Bogus Basin is subsidizing the cost of the workshops to make them more accessible, reflecting its commitment to inclusive, community-centered programming.

Workshop details:

Intro to Plein Air Painting

• Tuesday, July 15 & Tuesday, July 22
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Ages 12+ | $10

Nature Art Drawing

• Saturday, August 2
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Ages 12+ | $10

The Intersection of Art and Nature: Evidence-Based Impact

Increasingly, research highlights the benefits of combining creative expression with time spent outdoors. A 2023 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that participating in nature-based art activities not only boosts personal well-being but also fosters a stronger sense of environmental responsibility. Participants reported greater ecological empathy and a deeper desire to protect the natural spaces they created art in.

In recent years, the non-profit has strengthened its partnerships with the local arts community — hosting on-mountain performances with Boise Contemporary Theater, Opera Idaho, and the Boise Philharmonic, as well as offering guided nature programs that teach skills such as photography.

For full workshop details and to register, visit bogusbasin.org/events or catalystartscollaborative.com

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About Bogus Basin Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the community to provide accessible, affordable, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education. Opened in 1942, Bogus Basin offers 2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain and 200 acres for night skiing, seven chairlifts and three people-mover carpets, and an 800-foot tubing hill. The Nordic Center offers 37 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Environmental education and community outreach programs, primarily youth, serve over 20,000 individuals annually. Summer activities include The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, The Mine Shaft Challenge Course, mountain biking, events, hiking and chairlift service for hike and bike transport. Bogus Basin is located 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest. www.bogusbasin.org