The James Castle House has announced the four artists selected for its 2026 residency program at the historic 5015 Eugene Street property. Following a nationwide call, two long-term residents—CL Young and Oluwatobi Adewumi—will each complete two-month terms, while Lydia Ricci and Diana Kohne will participate in two-week sessions. Together, their practices span sculpture, writing, drawing, painting, printmaking, and performance, reflecting the experimental spirit associated with James Castle’s legacy.
This year drew the highest level of interest since the site opened in 2018, with 137 applicants from across the country competing for four available terms. A multidisciplinary panel—including a former resident, a local writer, a member of Boise’s d/Deaf community, and Arts & History staff—reviewed submissions, followed by individual interviews with finalists.
During their time on site, the selected artists will immerse themselves in Castle’s environment while engaging the public through open studios, workshops, and additional programs. Each residency encourages place-based exploration and meaningful community connection, adding new perspectives to the continuing story of one of Idaho’s most influential artists. To learn more, visit jamescastlehouse.org.
Lydia Ricci, Narberth, Pennsylvania
Sculptor and Animator
January 12–26, 2026
Lydia Ricci is a sculptor and animator known for transforming discarded household scraps into intimate, small-scale works that celebrate the humor and disorder of everyday life. Shaped by a childhood steeped in resourcefulness, her practice centers on making something meaningful from whatever is at hand. Her work has appeared in exhibitions across the U.S. and abroad, including VIN VIN Vienna, Paradigm Gallery, and the Berman Museum of Art. Learn more at fromscraps.com.
CL Young, Hailey, Idaho
Multidisciplinary Artist and Writer
June 1–July 31, 2026
CL Young is a multidisciplinary artist and writer whose work spans poetry, performance, installation, and sound, exploring how attention, memory, and place shape lived experience. A Literature Fellowship recipient from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, Young’s writing has appeared in numerous journals and collaborative chapbooks, with performances shared throughout the Northwest and beyond. Supported by organizations such as Tin House, Surel’s Place, and the Vermont Studio Center, Young will use the residency to create new work inspired by James Castle’s environment. Learn more at clyoung.info.
Oluwatobi Adewumi, McNeil, Arkansas
Multidisciplinary Artist
September 1–October 31, 2026
Oluwatobi Adewumi is a multidisciplinary artist whose work examines identity, culture, migration, and the emotional terrain shaped by movement across place. Born in Nigeria and based in McNeil, Arkansas, he creates mixed-media drawings and paintings that blend realism and abstraction, often incorporating luggage, textiles, documents, and cultural objects as vessels of memory. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, offering a nuanced lens on the Black immigrant experience. During his residency, Adewumi will explore themes of movement, belonging, and cultural memory through site-responsive work. Learn more at tobiadewumi.com.
Diana Kohne, Pasadena, California
Multidisciplinary Artist
December 1–12, 2026
Diana Kohne is a painter and printmaker whose work investigates the layered realities of urban space. As a deaf/hard-of-hearing artist living within Los Angeles County, she bridges tactile perception with conceptual inquiry, translating infrastructure, city grids, and human systems into paintings, prints, and sculptural works. Her practice balances precision and empathy, while her three-dimensional pieces address environmental and social questions through material exploration. Kohne also designs and sells the “pocket press,” a handheld etching press that expands access to printmaking. During her residency, she will explore James Castle’s legacy and the sensory landscape of Boise. Learn more at dianakohne.com.