As summer begins to set in, the city of Moscow prepares for its seventh annual Artwalk. The event will take place June 14, but many places display the art all summer. Only nine of the 75 places featured in this year’s Artwalk have one-night only events.
“The Artwalk is just a great opportunity for local artists to challenge and display themselves,” Kathleen Burns, Moscow City art director, said. “It’s also a great opportunity for the public to be exposed to the local art.”
An event that began in 2004 with Deena Heeth as the art director, the Artwalk was started to partner artists with businesses in Moscow. It began with only 28 places to visit on the map. Every year the event has expanded reaching its largest number of featured places this year with 75 participants.
“Participants are provided with a colorful brochure that directs them on a self-guided tour of participating Moscow businesses displaying the works of local and regional artists,” said DJ Scallorn, the Moscow City art assistant.
Local businesses in Moscow have supported local artists. Many pieces of art can be found in coffee shops and local businesses on Main Street. Artwalk goes beyond just Main Street and allows people the opportunity to check out businesses they may not normally walk into while looking at the art they have displayed.
“We don’t intentionally add places, they just decide to participate,” Burns said.
This year many new participants have joined Artwalk including D. Willy’s Blues Brew & BBQ, Wanderers’ Tavern, Mila’s, and the University of Idaho VandalStore.
Whether businesses are displaying the art they normally have or hosting local artists in their building, community involvement is high during the Artwalk.
“We open our doors and we do it joyfully,” said Johnnie Sue, a realtor at Gail Byers Real Estate.
Gail Byers Real Estate is one of the original 28 hosts of Artwalk and hasn’t missed a year yet.
There are many University of Idaho participants as well. The Palouse Jazz Project and the Greater Palouse Youth Orchestra include university students and faculty that will be playing live on Main Street the night of the event. Sculptures created by UI students that stand in front of the Intermodal Transit Center will be featured as well.
Among the things to experience at Artwalk, demonstrations and presentations will be held at Moscow City Hall and food vendors will be on Main Street along with live music.
Seventy-five businesses and more than 125 artists will be featured this year. This year’s pamphlets are available at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and City Hall, as well as online. A map of where all the events are held is included.
“Art is for everyone,” Burns said. “The Artwalk is for everyone.”
Kaitlyn Martin can be reached at [email protected]