A Creative League & Coworking Club

The Common Well is a dynamic community of artists and entrepreneurs who share space, collaborate, network and play in an old factory 5 minutes from downtown Boise, Idaho. Members of our Coworking Club rent dedicated or flexible studio space on a monthly basis which includes access to meeting rooms, event spaces, high speed internet, phone booths and a kitchen. But it is free to join our community and we welcome artists & entrepreneurs at every stage of their careers to be a part of The Common Well. Click here to join or learn more.

A unique highlight of The Common Well is the Art Program, which consists of a vibrant contemporary art gallery, innovative artist residencies, classroom space, an outdoor stage, and coming in Summer 2025 is a second art space in downtown Boise. Stay tuned for details. The Art Program is supported in part by community donations through our fiscal sponsor, Surel’s Place, and a partnership with Alexa Rose Foundation. We are also building an art library and have Big Moon Barter, the best little gift shop around.. Come by and see us or let us host your next event! Click here for more info.

We strive to be an example of what’s possible in a happier, healthier and more creative workspace

Meet the Team

  • Katherine Shaughnessy

    CO-FOUNDER & CURATOR

    Katherine is an artist & entrepreneur with an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and many years of experience working and volunteering in the arts, education and politics. Before landing in Boise, she spent over a decade living in the wild and vibrant art community of Marfa, Texas. Katherine is dedicated to connecting artists and collectors both near and far and to shepherding experimental and challenging contemporary art projects to The Common Well. She is married to Tom Michael, General Manager at Boise State Public Radio. They have two children — one at Boise High and one at university in The Netherlands. Katherine most recently showed her work in an exhibition at Sun Valley Museum of Art.

  • Amber Lawless

    CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

    Following a 30 year career in Commercial and Residential Design and Construction, Amber founded Fort Builder with her son, Grayson Lawless. They built community, and supported opportunities for entrepreneurs in their beautiful cowork and event spaces. When Amber met Katherine in 2022, they joined forces and Fort Builder evolved into The Common Well.. Amber has worked in illustration, printmaking, letterpress, metalsmithing and welding. She rejects the “starving artist” notion, and loves helping artists figure out how to earn a living with their art. In her spare time, Amber and her husband, Michael, love chasing their adult children and grandkids.

  • Grayson Lawless

    CHIEF DESIGNER & FABRICATOR

    Grayson Lawless is an artist, carpenter, and licensed general contractor from Idaho. He completed the renovation at The Common Well and crafted the fixtures and furniture. Grayson’s skills range from design and branding to fabrication and production. As a multi-dimensional artist, he works in wood, metal, clay, and leather, and also runs the screen-printing studio at The Common Well. Outside The Common Well, a majority of his work consists of unique remodels and custom woodwork.