Explore Art and Culture at Upcoming Events in the Inland Northwest

A series of artistic events is set to showcase the vibrant culture of the Inland Northwest, with activities spanning from exhibitions to theatrical performances. Notably, the sculptural installation and dance series titled “Loess” begins today at Moscow Contemporary, located at 2012 W. Pullman Road in the Palouse Place Mall. This evolving exhibition, which runs through May 30, invites visitors to experience a reimagining of the Palouse landscape through the lens of intermedia artist and dancer Corrie Befort. The installation will feature performances accompanied by music and sound design from Jason E. Anderson.

The opening reception takes place at 6 p.m. today, followed by a performance at 7 p.m. Tickets for the performance are priced at $10, and a Q&A session with the artists will follow at 8 p.m. The project is supported by a grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. For more details about the exhibition schedule and ticket purchases, visit moscowcontemporary.org/loess. The gallery operates from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

In addition to visual arts, the University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton School of Music is presenting the comedic opera “H.M.S. Pinafore” by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Hartung Theater, located at 625 Stadium Drive in Moscow. Director and voice professor Stefan Gordon emphasizes the production’s comedic essence, stating, “This is not a serious show — it is a comedy, and above all else, it is the joyful, loving celebration of traditional British music that remains the true heart of this historic piece.” Tickets are available for $12 for general admission and $10 for students, seniors, and children aged 12 and under, accessible via uitickets.com or at the door (credit card only).

Another noteworthy event is the reception for artwork created to support the Lewis Clark Animal Shelter, scheduled for Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lucidity Gallery & Gift, located at 800 Main St. in downtown Lewiston’s Newberry Square. Eighth-grade students from Jenifer Middle School, under the guidance of teacher Desirae Reed, have painted watercolor portraits of pets available for adoption after visiting the shelter. These 8-by-10-inch pieces will be on display through the end of the month, available for a suggested donation of $40, matted and framed.

The final Winter Market of the year will take place on Saturday at Moscow’s 1912 Center, featuring over 35 vendors and public voting for the Moscow Renaissance Fair poster contest. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 412 E. Third St. Visitors can enjoy food from Mariana’s Tamales and participate in a free kids’ workshop. Voting for the Ren Fair poster contest will commence at 9:30 a.m. in the Fiske Room.

Local author Brad Judy, formerly of Lewiston and now residing in Kennewick, will be signing copies of his latest book, “Betrayal: The Buried Treasure on Elk Mountain,” this Saturday. The signing will occur from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at And Books Too, located at 918 Sixth St. in Clarkston, followed by a reading and signing session from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ernie’s Steakhouse, located at 2305 Nez Perce Drive in Lewiston. The 498-page softcover book, priced at $20, continues Judy’s exploration of personal themes, drawing from his experiences growing up in Lewiston. He describes the novel as a traditional Western infused with elements of his own life journey.

Additionally, a half-hour documentary titled “SARA: A Life in Dreams and Symbols” will air on Idaho Public Television at 6 p.m. on Sunday, highlighting the life of late artist Sara Joyce. This documentary, which has won a regional Emmy Award and received recognition from the Daytime Emmy Awards, focuses on Joyce’s artistic contributions and her life in the region. Following this feature, documentaries about ceramicist Marilyn Lysohir and wood artist Jim Christiansen will also be broadcast. All documentaries can be viewed online at idahoptv.org/createid.

For those interested in the arts and local culture, these events provide a rich tapestry of experiences and opportunities to engage with the creative community in the Inland Northwest.