
Biography
Yidan’s journey as a painter has spanned thousands of miles, from her birthplace in China to her present home in the US. This migratory experience has deeply influenced her choice of subject matter: women who are immigrants and refugees. As an Asian immigrant and a woman artist, there’s a shared bond, a collective experience of navigating new cultures, which forms the core of her creative exploration.
At the age of 15, Yidan began eight years of rigorous training at China Central Academy of Fine Arts – the most prestigious art school in China and earned her Bachelor of Art degree in Chinese Painting. In 2005 she earned a master’s degree in Philosophy from Renmin University of China and a MFA from Idaho State University in 2024.

watercolor, 48″ x 32″, 2024
BOSCO: Boise Open Studios Tour
October 11, 2025 | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm $FreeBOISE OPEN STUDIOS TOURYIDAN GUOSaturday & Sunday, October 11th & 12th10:00am - 6:00pm free at Surel's Place: 212 E. 33rd Street in Garden City Boise Open Studios Collective Organization (BOSCO) features over 125 Treasure Valley artists working in painting, sculpture,...
Event DetailsBOSCO: Boise Open Studio Tour
October 12, 2025 | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm $FreeBOISE OPEN STUDIOS TOURYIDAN GUOSaturday & Sunday, October 11th & 12th10:00am - 6:00pm free at Surel's Place: 212 E. 33rd Street in Garden City Boise Open Studios Collective Organization features over 125 Treasure Valley artists working in painting, sculpture, photography,...
Event DetailsWorkshop: Watercolor Painting Techniques for Beginners
October 25, 2025 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm $45WORKSHOPWATERCOLOR PAINTING TECHNIQUES FOR BEGINNERSSaturday, October 25th | 1:00pm - 4:00pm $45 | General Admission$35 | Surel’s Place Sustaining Member Admission (register with Special Passcode)Partial scholarships are available by request to info@surelsplace.org. REGISTER Watercolor is a vibrant, approachable medium that invites creativity—even if...
Event DetailsArt Talk and Exhibit: The Souls of Resilience
November 3, 2025 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm $FreeART TALK AND EXHIBITIONTHE SOULS OF RESILIENCEMonday, November 3rd | 7:00pm - 8:30pm free at Surel's Place: 212 E. 33rd Street in Garden City During her residency, artist Yidan Guo focused on creating new portraits of immigrant and refugee women—rooted...
Event Details