When Bill Garibyan fled the collapsing Soviet Union in 1991 with his family, he carried brushes and dreams that would eventually paint new possibilities across Idaho’s cultural landscape.

Garibyan honed his artistic talent in his father’s studio in the former Soviet Union, where he absorbed creativity while working at a design firm and attending architectural classes. After immigrating to Twin Falls, he spent years in survival jobs, never abandoning his artistic calling. Upon retirement, he returned to painting full-time, developing a unique impressionist style marked by bold brushwork and harmonious color palettes that capture Idaho’s natural beauty.

His most significant recent accomplishment was opening Idaho Art Gallery in downtown Meridian in 2022, transforming a lifetime passion into a thriving community hub that showcases both his distinctive Idaho landscapes and works from local and national artists.

His gallery features artwork at accessible price points starting at $35, hosts rotating exhibitions of guest artists, and offers rental programs for local businesses. He also maintains representation at Roux & Cyr Gallery in Portland.

Nelli Garibyan has spent three years building Idaho Art Gallery into a recognized creative space in downtown Meridian’s arts ecosystem. Her most significant recent accomplishment has been launching and rapidly growing the gallery from the ground up, establishing a collector base and hosting exhibitions that demonstrate both public interest and cultural value.

“I believe my work has contributed to shifting the perception of art in Idaho — encouraging others to see it not only as a cultural asset, but also as a viable business,” Garibyan said.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business from Boise State University and began her career in advertising sales before acquiring and revitalizing several struggling businesses. After selling her last company three years ago, her father — an artist and gallery co-owner — approached her about starting the gallery together.

“One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced was breaking into a well-established and often insular art community,” she said. “Gaining trust, building relationships and proving value in a space where networks can be tightly held required persistence, creativity and a clear vision.”

Garibyan also owns a consulting firm helping entrepreneurs with business development.

Manda Hardin has transformed ComedySportz Boise into a thriving nonprofit organization that serves the community through improv comedy, classes and outreach programs. As executive director of the 501(c)3 organization, her most significant recent accomplishment was securing The Green Room, a permanent 100-seat venue at 5420 W. Franklin Road, after the group operated without a dedicated space for nearly 20 years.

“The Green Room has been a labor of love,” Hardin said at the February 2025 ribbon cutting with the Boise and Meridian Chambers of Commerce. “We are passionate about creating connections and building confidence in people of all ages, but particularly in youth. This place is going to let us amplify that.”

Under Hardin’s leadership since mid-2022, ComedySportz Boise has revitalized its mission of changing communities through collaboration, inspiration, gratitude and fun. The organization now offers weekly family-friendly shows, teen programming, corporate training and classes designed to build creativity and self-confidence through improvisational theater.

Ryan Hawes has built a distinguished career in digital, social, and broadcast media across multiple markets, currently serving as News Director at Sinclair Broadcast Group in Boise and Lewiston.  

Hawes has worked in Yakima at KIMA-TV, Portland at KATU and KPTV, Nashville at WSMV, and now in Boise at KBOI/KNIN. His most significant accomplishment is hiring smart people who care about the communities they serve. Their work is growing audience on Sinclair websites, social media platforms, and newscasts across the region. Equally important, their work brings awareness to important issues across the communities they serve, while also bringing attention to local nonprofits, businesses and individuals.  

As News Director, Hawes thrives on helping those who work for him discover their potential. He also helps produce several events for the community including the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic and Idaho Fourth of July parade. 

Hawes is proud of his team’s support of several nonprofits each year including The Idaho Foodbank, The Salvation Army, Foster+Heart, Idaho Humane Society, Make-A-Wish Idaho and Habitat for Humanity.

Surpassing three decades in his role as the managing director of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Mark Hofflund has had the opportunity to see creativity come to life. Generations of Idahoans have come to love and appreciate Shakespeare and other important works of literature through the festival, which provides annual touring programs to approximately 150 schools around the state and across its borders.

In his role, Hofflund has helped deepen, strengthen and maintain alignment with the public mission of the organization, while also assisting in the hiring and retaining of its staff and volunteers.

There is a lot of growth on the horizon, too.

“Aside from goals of improving its operations and core services to the community, Idaho Shakespeare Festival also received approval from Ada County to renovate the ISF Interpretive Center (leading to the 2024 introduction of Shakespeare’s Marketplace by Lisa Peterson), to secure the status of a 50-acre buffer area (protecting the Amphitheater from ambient sound and visual distraction), and to upgrade Festival facilities and experiences enjoyed by audiences,” he said.