Local News & NorthwestSeptember 3, 2024

Nonprofit art gallery, formerly based downtown, finds new home at Palouse Mall

A space for a future store is visible in the corner of Moscow Contemporary’s new space at the Palouse Mall on Friday in Moscow.
A space for a future store is visible in the corner of Moscow Contemporary’s new space at the Palouse Mall on Friday in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
A blank gallery space on Friday is prepared for future exhibitions at Moscow Contemporary’s new space in the Palouse Mall in Moscow.
A blank gallery space on Friday is prepared for future exhibitions at Moscow Contemporary’s new space in the Palouse Mall in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
A sign hangs on Friday outside of the Palouse Mall over a future entrance to Moscow Contemporary’s new location in Moscow.
A sign hangs on Friday outside of the Palouse Mall over a future entrance to Moscow Contemporary’s new location in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
A sign hangs on Friday outside of the Palouse Mall over a future entrance to Moscow Contemporary’s new location in Moscow.
A sign hangs on Friday outside of the Palouse Mall over a future entrance to Moscow Contemporary’s new location in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Moscow Contemporary executive director Roger Rowley works to adjust the height of hanging lights on Friday in a space of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.
Moscow Contemporary executive director Roger Rowley works to adjust the height of hanging lights on Friday in a space of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Moscow Contemporary managing director Sonja Foard, left, executive director Roger Rowley, center, and education director Megan Mack stand on Friday outside of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.
Moscow Contemporary managing director Sonja Foard, left, executive director Roger Rowley, center, and education director Megan Mack stand on Friday outside of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Moscow Contemporary executive director Roger Rowley works to adjust the height of hanging lights on Friday in a space of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.
Moscow Contemporary executive director Roger Rowley works to adjust the height of hanging lights on Friday in a space of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Moscow Contemporary executive director Roger Rowley, left, and education director Megan Mack stand on Friday outside of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.
Moscow Contemporary executive director Roger Rowley, left, and education director Megan Mack stand on Friday outside of the arts center’s new location at the Palouse Mall in Moscow.Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Moscow Contemporary has found a new home that it hopes will please its longtime supporters and attract new ones.

The nonprofit art gallery, also called MosCo, is planning to open its new space at the Palouse Mall later this month, said director Roger Rowley. A specific date has not yet been set, but Rowley plans to bring in artwork as soon as all the construction is complete.

After MosCo’s lease was terminated at its former location on Fifth and Main streets in January, the nonprofit has been searching for the right place to host exhibits.

“Not having a gallery for almost nine months now, that’s stressful,” Rowley said. “We’re anxious to get back to doing that.”

Rowley said the Palouse Mall space, which used to be Rue21, appealed to him because of its high ceilings, track lighting, a glass storefront and the right kind of walls to showcase artwork.

“When we came in here, then it was like, ‘Oh yeah, this can work for us,’” he said.

He said the overall square footage is smaller than MosCo’s former downtown location, but it has nearly the same amount of exhibition space.

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“Our ambitions for what we do artistically? There’s no downsizing there,” Rowley said. ”We still intend to be bringing in the best art we can possibly figure out how to present here.”

The first exhibit will feature artwork from Gonzaga University Art Professor Reinaldo Gil Zambrano.

Rowley believes the mall could bring the gallery a new audience in addition to the ones who have always supported MosCo. He said curious people passing by will be able to see the art through the glass storefront and freely walk into the open space to check it out.

“We hope to gain a whole new audience, a whole new base of support for what we do,” he said.

He said Moscow Contemporary’s art education programs that were temporarily moved to the 1912 Center will also be brought into the mall space.

While he is excited about the future of Moscow Contemporary, Rowley said the long hiatus did put a dent into its finances. That is why he is hoping the new space will show the public “that we are active and making progress and back to doing great things.”

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.

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