“Moscow Contemporary is bedrock for Moscow, Idaho and surrounding communities in the Palouse region. Through their exhibitions, classes, and programming, they've established themselves in the short time since transitioning out of the University of Idaho's management as a central and essential fixture for the visual, literary and performing arts. Their adaptability and inventiveness are two of their key features and are part of what makes them essential to our area: They are able to keep a pulse on the needs of artists, students, and community members in a way that larger institutions cannot.

Our children have attended MosCo’s wonderful after school and summer classes, which provide outstanding and innovative educational experiences with art professionals (at times, these classes are also key for working parents). Each time the kids come home with projects and ideas that truly astound us in their artistic quality, as well as in the connections they make to other disciplines and areas of learning. Moreover, MosCo’s exhibitions are consistently surprising and invigorating, demonstrating the concerns and creativity of contemporary artists from our region as well as internationally: How great a gift it is to be able to stroll through a contemporary art gallery of such high quality on a random Tuesday at lunchtime, and what a jolt of thought and beauty that provides us and countless others. We truly cannot (and do not want to) imagine Moscow without such a tremendous organization.”

—Devin and Kristin Becker

(Moscow residents since 2010)

Devin Becker, Associate Dean, University of Idaho Libraries

Kristin Becker, Curator of Education and Programs, Schnitzer Museum WSU

“The importance of contemporary visual art at the heart of our community on Main Street can’t be overstated. Moscow Contemporary particularly offers our youth education in the arts that is vital for fostering creativity, intelligence, and open-mindedness…qualities that define the culture of our town.”

-Jenny Parker, Wing Over Farm

“I have been presenting work in Seattle, NY, Portland, Tokyo and Belgium and moved to the Palouse due to the housing crisis in Seattle. I am so reassured and encouraged to find Roger and Moscow Contemporary staff doing such brilliant, thoughtful work in this community - especially in the post Covid scene which has been so difficult to navigate. It is amazing to find a gallery - a lot like the Henry in Seattle - championing refined, world-class artistic work while still inviting children, our next artists, into direct contact through excellent creative interaction and pedagogy. What a gift to this region! Can’t wait to see who’s work you’ll bring, how I can be involved and what happens next!” 

— Corrie Befort, intermedia artist formerly based in Seattle and Tokyo/Yokohama

“When I think of Moscow, I think of Moscow Contemporary as the hub and heart.

Moscow will feel empty without it. All people are welcome, the staff is welcome, all ages are welcome and they work really hard to involve our local community and other communities too. I particularly appreciate their focus on children and First Nations heritage. I am always proud to take my out-of-town guests there and have had the honor of teaching classes in their new activity place. It’s also run by some of the most dedicated people I’ve met. I hope we never lose this incredible location.”

Bridgette Schnider, Color & Gold LLC

“I’ve been to many events and exhibits at the gallery and am always impressed with the thoughtfulness that goes into the curation, selection of art, and focus on community involvement. The gallery offers a space for the community to think deeply about life, the environment, and how we relate to the world. Moscow is lucky to have a creative space like this for the community to gather and appreciate amazing art!”

-Grace Peven, University of Idaho, PhD Candidate

“This is such a great gallery with really intentional staff. They work hard to incorporate all different types of artists, installations, and events within the community (beyond the Palouse region). I feel welcomed every time I visit and was lucky enough to experience a really cool workshop they created for a group of students from the University of Idaho. I can’t recommend this gallery enough!”

-Elizabeth Herrmann, University of Idaho, MS Candidate

“My daughter had told me about the Moscow Contemporary Gallery, and I was looking forward to the visit. But I was surprised at how terrific the current art show was – and the space itself was spacious and welcoming. During my short visit, I also participated in one of the adult workshops – working with melted wax – and enjoyed the community spirit of the participants and the expertise of the mentors. It was a fun, creative, and imaginative experience. I also enjoyed seeing the artwork from the children in their classes. Workshops for adults and particularly for children fill a need for expressive growth and provide new experiences that challenge and delight participants. The work that the gallery is doing seems to represent the best of community spirit and artistic creativity – a true plus for Moscow.”

-Laura Campbell, Los Angeles CA Resident and lifelong Writer/Teacher

“I have been the lead ASAP (After School Art Program) instructor since August 2022 and have taught occasionally the NSAP (No School Art Program) as well. I have also been a member of the Moscow community since 2012 and worked with Roger since 2013. To say that the gallery and all its entities including the ASAP and NSAP is a massive part of what make Moscow the Heart of the Arts is an understatement. The Moscow Contemporary has become the heartbeat of downtown Moscow and in extension Moscow itself. Connecting the community and artists of all walks of skill sets and levels together. Supporting children of all ages through art education, music and dance, and cultural experiences. Ultimately cultivating a creative and unique experience through art for the Palouse that cannot be found anywhere else in this region.

To loose the Moscow Contemporary is far more than loosing a building and business but is to actually change the rhythm and culture of downtown Moscow. To loose the Moscow Contemporary is to loose art education, community and culture outreach as well as loss of support for artists and locals alike. Moscow downtown undeniably has had its very design and reason altered over the last handful of years and to loose Moscow Contemporary could very much be the cut to the artery of downtown Moscow. In my humble opinion, the city of Moscow needs the Moscow Contemporary more than ever before. I truly believe that the gallery as well as all that work and volunteer there are principles in keeping Moscow Idaho the Heart of the Arts, and to allow the gallery to forced to close its doors is a tragedy with far more consequences than any one of us could imagine.”

-Heather Larsen, ASAP Teacher

“Moscow Contemporary is a life force for our community. Their programming is designed with generosity as a beacon, for anyone to participate, to share, connect, and expand. They look for ways to bring contemporary thought and work to our town and also ways to share out creativity that stems from our region. They offer their space to those of us who teach, who make, and who want to learn. What can be gained from this space in the heart of our town is not simply measured in dollars. The returns show up in our children who have access to classes that allow them to be artists, and the students and local artists who are able to see and show work in a professional gallery, and all ages of visitors who find new perspectives and new friends inside the doors.”

-Lauren McCleary, Clinical Assistant Professor

Art Education, University of Idaho

“ Moscow Contemporary Gallery is not just a home for the visual arts; it is a vital civic space where ideas are freely exchanged, new voices are encountered, and where a diverse community finds expression. The loss of such a space would be to lose a sense of who we are and what we want to become as a community. “

-Jack Kredell, PhD Candidate Environmental Science, University of Idaho

“Words can't express what a special place Moscow Contemporary is for our family. It is refreshing to have a community space featuring such a wide array of art collections--we hit every new show they have. My second grader attends the After School Art Program every week and has taken multiple summer week long programs. This has ignited her creativity, and I have been impressed with the wide array of art taught, the quality of the teachers, and the friendships she has made. I have taken several adult classes including Encaustics and Oil painting, and marvel at the ease of access and how excellent the local teachers are-I have been waiting my whole life to learn these skills and in the matter of a few short years Moscow Contemporary has made these classes available and affordable for the entire community! I also have to say the art auction is my favorite Moscow event. A plethora of local artists who inspire me make their works available and I have grown my home and work art collection courtesy of this enriching event. Our family will continue to support Moscow Contemporary in this time of transition.”

-Bryn Parker, MD

Family Medicine, OB

What MosCo has been for me: a BIG, beautiful gallery, well run by a knowledgeable, dedicated, professional staff.

I'm an artist with a penchant for making large artwork, often too large for conventional framing. MosCo has been a venue where work like mine could be displayed, a gallery that could consider letting me use the 140 linear feet of downstairs display wall for an "installation" .This type of work is made to share rather than to sell.

Roger and Sonja are experts at presenting artwork. I don't say that lightly. Throughout my career as an artist, I've looked at a lot of shows. MosCo's stand out for the quality of the arrangement, hanging and lighting.

The MosCo staff should be recognized for the energy and courage they have shown in administration. Creating a space for contemporary art is a major accomplishment.

Here's hoping MosCo can continue to thrive.

-Lynne Haagensen, Community Member