3-D chalk art to be biggest attraction at the Moscow Artwalk

Ceramic+artist+Kassie+Smith+wheel-throwing+a+bowl+during+Moscows+2016+Artwalk.

COURTESY OF KATHLEEN BURNS

Ceramic artist Kassie Smith wheel-throwing a bowl during Moscow’s 2016 Artwalk.

CHRIS ARNESON, Evergreen reporter

This year’s Moscow Artwalk is full of diverse artwork, ranging from traditional paintings to screen-printing and photography.

3-D chalk artist Chris Carlson will be the spotlight of the art walk, Moscow Art Director Kathleen Burns said.

Carlson will give a lecture on how to create his 3-D chalk art at a pregame event for Palouse art fans Thursday at City of Moscow Council Chambers. The Denver-based artist’s website gallery showcases his colorful art, like his drawings of samurais, sharks and the Mario Brothers.

Although Carlson’s art will be the main draw, that is not all the event has to offer the community, Burns said.

“It’s for everyone,” she said. “The artists come in all ages, a lot emerging, from universities to the established.”

One of the main sponsors of the art walk will be Prichard Art Gallery, located in the heart of downtown Moscow along the path of the event.

“As the premiere contemporary visual arts center in the region, it is hard to have an art walk without our central involvement,” Prichard Art Gallery director Roger Rowley said.

Prichard will host two exhibitions of photography, including Kelli Connell’s work, and a print competition with over 220 photos submitted, Rowley said. The gallery will be “the place to be” during this year’s art walk, as over 2,000 people are anticipated to pass through the business over four to five hours, Rowley said.

Another local Moscow business sponsoring the art walk is Team Idaho Real Estate.

“It’s a fantastic event,” Property Manager Merida McClanahan said. “We have participated and gotten a large attendance every year.”

The Moscow real estate business will host a reception and an artist during the art walk, McClanahan said. Team Idaho, a “longtime supporter of the Moscow Artwalk,” will also promote the event on social media and keep their art exhibit open throughout June, McClanahan said.

Attendees can also enjoy an open house and Hawaiian barbeque, live music and art demonstrations.

Bands will perform at Friendship Square with musicians like Misé and the Moscow Arts Commission Band.

“Art walk Passports” will be available for stamping at participating locations and can be turned in with six stamps to the Moscow Chamber of Commerce by 9 p.m. Friday to enter into a prize drawing.

The art walk will have 66 businesses and more than 125 artists participating. The main events will take place from 4 – 10:30 p.m. Friday in downtown Moscow.