The Moscow Arts Commission and the City of Moscow Arts Department — both composed of community volunteers interested in the arts — are holding a reception for their newest exhibit Thursday evening.
Many of the volunteers for these groups create art themselves, but might not necessarily have a platform to display it, which is why the upcoming exhibit — “Meet the MAC” — is entirely dedicated to sharing their artwork.
“It’s fairly standard for an art exhibition, that we would have a reception to give the public a chance to meet the artists,” said City of Moscow Arts Program Manager Megan Cherry. “This particular reception we’re having because we’re celebrating together as a group. There’s a specific team of people that make the city arts program run, and so, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate that team.”
Alexandra Stutzman | Argonaut Megan Cherry, Arts Program Manager, discusses artwork in the Third Street Gallery, Tuesday.
In addition to displaying visual art from their team members, a musical group called Flutello will perform from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The group — whose name is a combination of “flute” and “cello” — is composed of Moscow Arts Commissioners Christine Gilmore and Kaitlyn Caldwell.
“The name is fantastic. I think that we will rejoice to the dulcet tones of Flutello,” said Cherry. “I’m not sure what pieces of music we’re going to hear, but fabulosity will ensue, I’m sure. I know that both Kaitlyn and Christine are trained and really accomplished musicians, so we can expect greatness.”
Cherry will speak in a panel discussion with Moscow Art Commissioners Kat Clancy, Donna Woolston and Cindy Carnhart at 6 p.m.
“They’re going to be talking about the experience of being on an arts commission,” said Cherry. “The city has multiple commissions. Essentially, a commission is a formally recognized body of citizen volunteers. (We’re doing the show) to give people a sense of what (being on a city commission) means and what opportunities are available from being an arts commissioner.”
Bloom will cater the event, and according to Cherry, there will be a no-host bar and snacks, but the exact menu will be a surprise for guests. The event is appropriate for all audiences.
“This is a group of people who makes a lot of arts programming happen in the city of Moscow,” said Cherry. “That’s people who provide input or operational support for things like Art Walk —which is just this massive event for our city — and so what we’re going to get to see is all of their own personal creative work. Maybe as the public we’re used to seeing their work in the public realm, but maybe seeing what comes out of their own private studios, we’re not as familiar with that.”
The “Meet the MAC” reception will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Moscow City Hall’s Third Street Gallery, which is generally open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.