Starts with a Spark with Britney Brougham

Some artists chase perfection; Britney Brougham is a spark. A multimedia artist and Spark group leader at Catalyst Arts Collaborative in Boise, Britney is less concerned with polished outcomes than with the thrill of imagination.

“To me, art is noticeable, whether it’s a weird pattern in the sidewalk or just the way people interact. That’s all material. That’s all fuel.”

Britney’s work spans sketches, whimsical illustrations, and playful 3D experiments. But her true canvas is Catalyst itself, a studio space that has become both her laboratory and her community.

“Catalyst is really a laboratory for me, it’s the place where I get to try things, mess up, start over, and share. That’s what makes it special.”

To see Britney’s art in person, front and center, stop by the Catalyst Arts Collaborative in Boise during the month of October as she is the Artist of the Month.

She credits Catalyst’s founder, Candy Canning, for fostering an atmosphere where boldness is encouraged.

“Candy has created such a welcoming space, she’s not only supportive, she’s always encouraging people to push themselves, to take risks. That kind of leadership makes it easier to be brave with your work.”

That spirit carries into the Spark group she leads. For Britney, Spark isn’t about instruction, it’s about ignition.

“People come in with these little seeds of ideas, and Spark gives them the sunlight. I love when someone says, ‘I didn’t think I could do this,’ and then suddenly they’re showing us their first zine, or their first sculpture. That moment, that’s magic.”

She likens it to her love of tabletop role-playing games, where storytelling is collective and unpredictable.

“I love D&D because it’s collaborative imagination. You’re world-building together, solving problems together. Honestly, that’s what Catalyst feels like too, it’s the same muscle, just in a different setting.”

Her artistic sensibility also shines in her favorite season, autumn.

“Fall is hands down my favorite, the colors, the air, even the melancholy of it. I think it’s the most artistic season, it’s like the earth is putting on a show before it rests.”

In many ways, Boise’s art scene feels like autumn to her, colorful, shifting, and ready for what comes next.

“Boise is in this really interesting moment where people are craving art that feels authentic and community-driven. Catalyst isn’t trying to be fancy or exclusive, it’s a place where you can experiment, fail, succeed, and be supported through all of it.”

For Britney, the future isn’t about rigid goals, but about keeping the cycle of creativity alive.

“At the end of the day, I just want to keep creating, keep experimenting, and keep building spaces where other people feel brave enough to do the same. That’s the dream.”

Whether she’s sketching, rolling dice, or cheering on a fellow artist, Britney Brougham is proving that art isn’t a solitary act, it’s community.