When I say "traffic control box," what comes to mind? Does a boring gray metal box--occasionally tagged with graffiti--sound about right? In our fair city of Boise, a resident may describe a traffic control box as a vibrant piece of public art. Idaho artists have decorated 145 traffic boxes throughout the city, thanks to funding by the Boise City Department of Arts & History. I cannot offer enough praise for the valuable public art projects created by this organization.
I earned a traffic box artwork commission last summer at the intersection of Goddard and Glenwood, near Capital High School. A neighborhood council selected my oil painting depicting the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic as the subject. I had only to create a digital file to share with Traffic Wrapz, the company who installed the vinyl wrap around the box. It's weather proof, resistant to graffiti, and cut precisely to fit. I am very impressed with the installation.