If you walked past the corner of Broadway and N. Capital Avenue today, you were in for a surprise — and not the kind you'd expect from a traffic cabinet.
Earlier today, the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) joined the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the official relaunch of the Downtown Traffic Cabinet Art Program. It was a moment worth celebrating — and a glimpse at what's coming to the streets of downtown Idaho Falls over the next several months.
A Downtown Tradition, Reborn
The story starts back in 2018, when the IFDDC Board of Directors looked around at the energy building in the downtown district and asked: "What's next?"
Fresh off the success of the Idaho Falls Arts Council's beloved "Art You Can Sit On" bench program, the answer was to stop ignoring those boxy gray utility cabinets lining Yellowstone Highway and Broadway — and start treating them like the canvases they could be.
The original Traffic Cabinet Art wraps quickly became downtown favorites. Then, last year, the old cabinets were replaced with new, larger ones. Rather than start from scratch, IFDDC saw an opportunity: go bigger, invite more artists, and reimagine what this program could look like for a new generation of downtown visitors and neighbors.
The 2026 Traffic Cabinet Art Project was born.
A True Community Effort
This isn't a project any one organization could pull off alone — and that's exactly what makes it special.
The 2026 program is a collaboration between IFDDC, local artists, Idaho Falls Power, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), and the IFDDC Public Art Committee, made possible by a generous $7,500 grant from the Idaho Falls Historic Downtown Foundation. And when it came time to actually bring the art to life on the street, IF Signs stepped in to provide the specialized vinyl wrapping and installation expertise that ensures each piece is built to last.
"Their expertise in producing and applying durable exterior vinyl ensures the artwork can become a lasting part of the downtown streetscape," said Kerry Hammon, Executive Director of IFDDC.
The call for art this past summer drew more than 135 submissions from regional artists — a remarkable outpouring of creativity and community investment.
"I love any opportunity to bring more artwork and color downtown, so I'm thrilled that we are bringing back the traffic cabinet program," said Georgina Goodlander, Visual Arts Director at the Idaho Falls Arts Council and member of the Public Art Committee. "I am very pleased with the variety of artwork that will be included this time; we have selected some fun and unusual pieces of art."
Over the coming months, eight traffic cabinets across downtown Idaho Falls will be transformed into vibrant, full-color public art installations — with more potentially on the way.
Meet the First Artist: Jenna Layton
Inaugurating the series at Broadway and N. Capital Avenue are not one, but two pieces by mixed-media artist Jenna Layton: "It Takes a Village" and "Inner Wilderness."
Raised in North Ogden, Utah, at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, Layton earned her bachelor's degree in art from Weber State University and has built a creative style known for bold color palettes, lush textures, and intricate linework. Her works — whimsical homes, winding roads, vivid hues — sit somewhere between memory and imagination, between the world around us and the one we carry within.
"These artworks, created in Idaho, grew from years of moving, settling, and wondering where — and what — home really is. They explore the relationship between the outer worlds we spend so much time creating and the inner worlds we carry with us, reflecting both the landscape around us and the landscape of where we are, right now." — Jenna Layton, Artist
It's a fitting start for a program rooted in community and place.
Every Cabinet Tells a Story
Here's one of our favorite parts: this program goes beyond paint and vinyl. Each wrapped cabinet will feature an integrated QR code that visitors can scan to learn about the featured artist — their background, their portfolio, and the inspiration behind each specific piece.
"I really enjoyed the selection of artists and the diverse perspectives represented," said Omar Corona-Sarabia, Art Instructor at the College of Eastern Idaho, who assisted in jurying the artwork. "The selected works capture a strong sense of Idaho and its influence, from the landscape and natural environment to more abstract interpretations of place. Together, they reflect the character, spirit, and visual richness of Idaho Falls and the surrounding region beautifully."
Slow down next time you're grabbing coffee on Broadway. Take a photo. Scan the code. You might just discover your next favorite local artist.
Help Bring More Color Downtown — Become a Sponsor
Want to see your business or organization woven into the fabric of this project?
Traffic Cabinet Sponsorships are now available. Your support directly funds the production and installation of these public art wraps, helping offset costs while making downtown Idaho Falls a more vibrant, creative, and welcoming place for everyone.
Each sponsored cabinet is more than a marketing opportunity — it's a stake in the story of our city.
To learn more, explore upcoming installations, or become a sponsor, reach out to us at info@downtownidahofalls.com or at (208) 535-0399.
The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, welcoming, and prosperous city center. Through placemaking, public art, event programming, and business advocacy, IFDDC works every day to keep downtown Idaho Falls the true living room of our community.