Experience the Palouse Region’s Creative and Artistic Offerings
The rolling green hills surrounding the Palouse region are stunning works of natural art, and they create the perfect backdrop for this area’s rich arts and culture scene. Whether you’re taking a walk, exploring a local museum or gallery, or out on the town for an evening, you are sure to catch a glimpse of this region’s creative offerings.
For those who like to plan ahead, here are a few must-experience artistic gems in Moscow, Idaho, and Pullman, Washington, that you need to add to your calendar.
In This Article
University of Idaho Theatre Arts Department
The University of Idaho Theatre Arts Department offers a year-round calendar of productions and events, bringing live performance art to residents and visitors at affordable prices. Enjoy a variety of performances, from adaptations of the classics to modern originals, at the Hartung Theatre in Moscow.
Washington Idaho Symphony
The Washington Idaho Symphony in Pullman comprises a diverse group of musicians from surrounding counties who come together to create orchestral music. Tickets are available for single events as well as for the season. The symphony is currently in its 53rd season.
Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
The Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre in Moscow works to bring performing and cinematic arts to the region while preserving its historic building, which was built in 1908. Events include a regular open mic showcase and screenings of classic films, such as the Star Wars original trilogy and It’s a Wonderful Life.
Moscow Public Art
Moscow is full of public art for people to enjoy, such as Jay Rasgorshek’s mural titled Celebration of the Camas Lily, which can be found on the outside of the City of Moscow building at Jackson and A streets.
“I knew from the start that I wanted to design a mural with the camas lily as a focal point due to its biological importance to the region and its cultural significance for the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce),” he says.
Moscow Contemporary
The Moscow Contemporary is more than just a place to view art. Thanks to its many community outreach art programs, it’s also a place to learn as well as express and exchange artistic ideas. In addition to on-site exhibits, residents and visitors can enjoy special community celebration exhibits throughout the year.
Public Art in Pullman
“Pullman is full of public art and murals, and they add so much character to our town,” says Joe Hedges, executive director, founder and board member of the Pullman Arts Foundation. “A great way to enjoy art in Pullman is to simply incorporate mural viewing into other activities around town. Visitors to Pullman or Pullman residents with children might walk the multimodal path from downtown to Reaney Park to see the Riverside Mural, or head to Palouse Discovery Science Center and enjoy the exterior of the building before heading inside.”
Pullman Civic Theatre
Pullman Civic Theatre (PCT) offers attendees the opportunity to experience and be part of performance art through its wide range of programs, including live performances, camps, classes and workshops. Event tickets top out at $20, making it an especially affordable option. PCT’s current home is Nye Street Theater in Pullman.
Regional Theatre of the Palouse
Regional Theatre of the Palouse in Pullman is a professional theater company founded in 2007. It offers Broadway classics, revivals, premieres and award-winning shows. Past performances include The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls and a musical adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol.
WSU Fine Arts Center
Washington State University Fine Arts Center in Pullman is home to several galleries – better known as Galleries II and III and the Locker Gallery. Gallery II is dedicated to showcasing works created by local, regional and national artists, with a focus on gender and identity issues. Gallery III provides curatorial and exhibition opportunities for undergraduate students, while the center’s newest space, the Locker Gallery, offers 1,800 square feet of space for undergraduates and graduates to showcase larger-scale exhibitions as well as for student experiments.
Get to Know the Palouse
Want to learn more about living and working in the Palouse region of Idaho and Washington? Check out the latest edition of Livability On the Palouse.