Here We Have Idaho | May 2012

Moscow merchants’ search for centerpieces with The gallery is one of the reasons Moscow ranks #38 in the travel guide “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America: potential to entice more people downtown helped Discover Creative Communities, Fresh Air, and Affordable smooth the way for the Prichard’s relocation. In 1983, the Living,” by John Villani. gallery opened in the heart of Moscow, making it one of Always striving to become better, the Prichard this the few university–owned galleries nationwide situated in spring welcomed its youngest visitors into its newly a city’s center. expanded and remodeled Children’s Studio.

“The Prichard is Moscow’s window on the With more surface spaces, sinks and cabinets, greater art world,” says Rowley. it’s an ideal retreat where children can enjoy A contemporary space with clean lines hands-on art activities after touring the and warm wood floors, the Prichard is one of gallery, Rowley says. region’s cultural jewels. Approximately 17,000 The Prichard moved from a temporary visitors and some 1,500 school children retail space into its current location in 1986, annually tour its rotating exhibits. thanks to William Bowler, an emeritus professor of architecture. Bowler designed “One of the challenges we face is the fact the gallery’s interior and oversaw architecture that we have a very broad range of people students and local volunteers who pitched in who regularly travel the world and have a very to remodel the old storefront.

Roger Rowley, cosmopolitan sense of things – but we also Prichard gallery director Rowley says the Prichard’s walls have people who’ve rarely left the region or reverberate with this sort of collective energy. for whom coming to Moscow is a big deal,” “The sense of community ownership is incredibly says Rowley. powerful; it’s the strength and backbone of what makes the “On the one hand, I want nothing more than to create Prichard special,” he adds. exhibits that the art faculty is wowed by – while at the same time making them accessible to people who may be For hours, location and exhibition information, visit: www.uidaho.edu/caa/prichardartgallery seeing something like this for the first time,” Rowley says.

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