For the first time this year, Moscow First Thursday will present local artists and businesses to the Palouse.

Moscow First Thursday began about two and a half years ago as an opportunity to gather the community to enjoy local art, said Jesica DeHart, who has since chosen to step back from the Moscow First Thursday but used to be in charge of the social media promotion.

At the beginning of the year, the steering committee for Moscow First Thursday decided to put the event on hold indefinitely. This was largely due to the lack of volunteers because at the time there where only five people organizing and running the event, said Dave Wilson, a member of the Moscow First Thursday steering committee and in charge of social media for the event.

“Moscow First Thursday was winding down and I took over … social media, handling the (promotion) part of it. We needed more volunteers since the people who did volunteer did this in their spare time,” Wilson said. “I have lived here since August and as an artist and designer myself, I wanted to help.”

“Many cities already had a First Thursday or First Friday, so this was an established event for many cities,” DeHart said. “We did this because many artists couldn’t get into the Artwalk and get their art out and we wanted them to.”

There is no cost to participate, so it is easy for a business to host an artist, whether they paint, play guitar or bake desserts, DeHart said. As long as art is getting out into the community, it doesn’t matter what form it takes.

“Building off the popularity of Artwalk, First Thursday offers a monthly, year-round opportunity for the community to enjoy visual art openings, readings, music, film and other art at local businesses,” said Moscow Arts Commission member Alexandra Teague on Moscow First Thursday’s Facebook page.

This event is supported by various organizations in the Palouse from the Moscow Arts Commission, Moscow Buy Local and Moscow Chamber of Commerce, according to the Moscow First Thursday Facebook page.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to enjoy a variety of art and it is a great opportunity for businesses downtown to get their name out too,” Wilson said.

The evening promises to celebrate art in all varieties from your traditional artistic pieces, to writers, music, food and drink, according to the Facebook page.

Moscow First Thursday will be 5 – 8 p.m. tomorrow in downtown Moscow. The Prichard Art Gallery is the host location, but other businesses like Ampersand Oil & Vinegar Tap House, Third Street Gallery, Humble Burger, Bloom and One World Cafe will host an artist each. The Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute will also hold a Science After Hours discussion at BookPeople of Moscow.