4 minute read
Woman on Fire: Delia Dante’s Leap of Faith
From her downtown studio space and gallery, Dante creates in copper, steel, and enamel. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
BY APRIL NEALE
Artist Delia Dante’s work fills Boise and beyond with arresting sculptures, including commissions like “Me Deuce” in Barbacoa Grill and the newer "Árbol De La Vida” in Coa De Jima. The latter, a 3,500 pound twisted tree filled with symbols and supported by a fortified foundation, was made to stand as a centerpiece in the historic venue. Dante, a TIG welder, creates three-dimensional art to inspire, and she hopes that other women will give “the fire arts” a chance.
“A big part of my business mission is education. Working in this medium is something that changed my life, and I want other people to know about it and experience it because it’s incredible for any artist to learn about,” said Dante, a former junior high art teacher who switched from a secure teaching position to a more high-wire existence as an artist after breaking bread with the late Robert Castoro, the former owner of Barbacoa Grill.
“I had gone to that restaurant for several years before it burned down and just was in awe of it. I thought it was a spectacular space and experience in Boise. And I thought if I could get one little piece on the wall, I would feel like I’ve arrived,” Dante recalled. She got her chance in 2010. “I taught myself how to TIG weld and I took a sabbatical from teaching for a year to see if I could do this art gig for real. Robert and I hit it off, and he had me doing all the other metalwork, including the cross. The ‘Me Deuce’ was already reserved for another artist,” Dante explained.
As luck would have it, the other artist could not conceptualize the piece. Castoro approached Dante three months before the restaurant opened and asked if she could do a 14-foot sculpture in two months. “I figured I would win big at the races, or they’d run me out on a rail in my town. There was no in-between. It’s important for growth to be a bit fearless in your life,” Dante laughed. “I’m forever grateful to Robert and Martine Castoro for giving me a shot at that.”
Now, Dante’s FireFusion Fine Art Gallery and Studio serves as exposure for other artists, including one of her mentors, John Killmaster, and as inspiration for her daughter and others to immerse themselves in the abundance of Boise’s art scene. She hopes the City of Boise will get back to supporting galleries in a more focused effort that celebrates visual arts in the same way as performing and musical arts.
“As a gallery owner, I see a lot of galleries struggling. Look at Garden City. They’re killing it with all kinds of support, including First Fridays. For Boise, I don’t know the answer,” Dante said.
Still, she’s doing her part to keep Boise’s art community as vibrant as the joyful trips to the Boise Art Museum she remembers on the First Thursday events of her youth.
“I’ve created a gallery with an offering to the local artists to display. I want [my daughter] to grow up in a community of artists, especially strong women artists. I want her to see that and be in that community feel—having people come and experience the art, communication, and a shared experience,” Dante explained.
