I know what you are thinking: Carson, this is a column about good eats around the Palouse. What are you doing?

While I applaud your observation skills, I believe that as we are moving into spring, something different is needed to refresh everyone on all the awesome activities we have to do here. This is not just for people new to the area, but for people who may have lived here a long time and just not explored the cracks and crevices of the Palouse.

This week we are looking at Wild at Art, a pottery painting studio in Moscow.

Wild at Art is located at 118 E. Third St. and is pretty easy to miss if you are not looking for it. Parking is also a bit of a problem, and it is recommended that you just find somewhere nearby to park, as Moscow is a decently walkable city. For those familiar with Malō Cuisine, Wild at Art is right near there.

The hours for Wild at Art are pretty slim, and one of the few complaints that I had about the business. Don’t expect to be able to go Monday through Thursday, as they will be closed, but they do open their doors from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday: the perfect time slot for a date night or fun activity for your friends.

It does seem like their website might be still under construction, but if it changes at all, you can check it out at moscowwildatart.com.

Walking through the doors, I was immediately struck by how much I enjoyed the general atmosphere of the studio. While it was incredibly cold outside, the interior was warm and inviting. Tables are set up throughout the space with paints, brushes and any equipment you may need to finish your work.

There are plenty of examples of finished products, and the space feels well-decorated. Toward the back, there are more technical areas where I believe the staff fires the actual pottery.

The basic service that Wild at Art seems to offer is paint-your-own-pottery and canvases, and right as you walk in, you are greeted with a variety of options. When we went, the selection seemed depleted, though I am going to chalk that up to a glut of business more than anything else.

My mom and I chose a cup to paint, while my girlfriend chose a hand piece.

Something that I nearly forgot to touch on: the service at Wild at Art is amazing.

It is not an exaggeration when I say the service made the experience what it is. I am not the artsiest type and am always a little hesitant to begin any project. But almost immediately, the employees helped out where they could, explaining the process and helping find different colors for the concepts that I had in mind.

It took a lot of guesswork to have someone experienced help me out.

The actual painting was so much fun! I did not think that an activity could all at once be relaxing, enjoyable and really take the time away from me. Before I knew it, I was already a few hours in, and I could have contented myself by staying there the rest of the day. With the number of coats of paint I put on, I certainly could have.

The price point is certainly affordable as well, as you pay by the piece, along with the additional charges. If you want to paint a huge vase, then you are going to pay that price, but you will not incur that same charge if you just want to paint a cute mug.

Overall, Wild at Art is an amazing spot that I am so glad that I found. Painting pottery is an affordable activity to do with your friends that not only is a lot of fun but also very relaxing. In the Palouse, I am always looking for fun activities to keep me occupied as I finish up my degree, and I found just that. Come down to the studio for a fun night with friends or as a date!

If there are other activities that you would like me to highlight, let me know by emailing [email protected].