Downtown Moscow buzzed with conversation, as music reverberated off the brick walls, a far cry from the town’s usual lackadaisical summer mood.
Inside local businesses, art of all kind — painting, sculptures and photography — were showcased to a large swath of Artwalk participants.
“The Artwalk is a collaborative effort between the City of Moscow’s art department and the Moscow City of Commerce, and some very generous sponsors,” said Jenny Ford, director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce. “It’s just incredible. We have a very broad artistic community in Moscow, and it’s just an opportunity to highlight them.”
The 14th edition of Moscow’s Artwalk welcomed a host of returning artists to showcase their work, including Hannah Grieser, a local photographer.
Grieser said she found her footing as a photographer of the Palouse while her son Jonah underwent treatment for cancer.
“Our oldest son was diagnosed with cancer about five years ago, so we were driving to and from the hospital a lot,” she said. “I ended up having all this time in the car driving through the Palouse. I just started bringing my camera along for the road trips.”
Grieser said once her son’s health started to improve, she turned her focus on building what was once a hobby into an actual business. After receiving requests for prints, Grieser said she realized photography could be a viable option for her and her family.
“I started taking it a little more seriously and taking more time with it and learning more and turning it into a business,” she said.
As for Jonah, Grieser said her son is healthier than ever, enjoying his teenage years out on the baseball field.
A few doors down, Jan Vogtman displayed the watercolor artwork of her late friend Nick Bode.
Vogtman said Bode, who died of cancer last June, was a prominent figure in the Palouse community, with his family owning the building where The Garden Lounge resides.
“He was a very dedicated water color painter,” she said. “He also became passionate about plein air, so a group of us started plein air painting.”
Plein air, where the painter goes outside to paint the subject rather than looking at a picture, was one of Bode’s favorite methods, according to Vogtman. She said Bode did his best to teach his technique, always helping her and other members of the Palouse Water Color Association.
“I painted with him. He kind of took me under his wing,” she said. “I learned a lot from him, and the fact that he was so prolific pushed me to paint more. He was the one who introduced me to plein air to start with.”
As for Bode’s Artwalk display, Vogtman said the watercolors were found in his home, where his wife lives alone. Vogtman said all proceeds from the paintings will go to help the family, one year removed from their loss.
Vogtman, Bode and Ford all agreed Artwalk was one of the highlights of Moscow summers. Ford said art can be one of the best ways to share a common experience within a community.
“I’m honestly grateful to be a part of it,” Ford said. “Like social gatherings, art brings people together.”
Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @brandonmtnhill