MOSCOW - The new owners of the Moscow Hotel building are partnering with the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho on a major public art project that could inspire others to invest in downtown Moscow.
Carly Lilly and her partner, George Skandalos, acquired the 128-year-old Moscow Hotel building Wednesday. They plan to renovate a portion of the interior to make room for one of their restaurants, Sangria Grille, which is currently located at the Palouse Mall.
Their plans for the exterior of the four-story structure are even more eye-catching: Lilly said they've offered the entire north face of the building to the ACLU of Idaho for its 25th anniversary mural project.
"With Moscow being the 'Heart of the Arts' and having such a diverse population, this just seems like something it should have," Lilly said. "We think public art is really important; it can help create a sense of place. We haven't been in a position to offer space before - but now we can."
The ACLU is a leading advocate of individual liberties and civil rights. The Idaho chapter became an official affiliate of the national group in 1993.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the organization is sponsoring three public murals in Moscow, Idaho Falls and Garden City.
Special Project Manager Kevin Kelpe met with Moscow officials in July to discuss the project. A call for proposals will go out to local artists in the next few days. The goal, he said, is to select an artist by the end of August. The work will begin in mid-September, during the Northwest Public Art Consortium's annual conference in Moscow and Pullman.
Whoever does the mural "doesn't have to be from the local area," Kelpe said. "But it's really important for us that the community be engaged, so we will give preferential consideration to a local artist."
Announcements regarding the project will be posted on the ACLU of Idaho website and distributed through the Moscow Arts Department. Other than a general theme of civility, inclusivity and respect for human rights, ACLU of Idaho isn't dictating the content of the paintings.
"Each project will represent the history of the area and the local context," Kelpe said. "We want to make sure the work is representative of the people who will see it every day."
A local committee made up of Lilly and Skandalos, representatives from the Moscow Arts and Human Rights commissions and other local stakeholders will help choose the artist and mural design. Since ACLU of Idaho is paying for the project, Kelpe said, it will take a first pass at any submissions before forwarding a list of finalists to the local committee.
"The final selection will be made by that committee," he said.
Lilly said she'd love it if the mural is "a cheerful, colorful piece of art, with a message of inclusivity and diversity."
"It's such a perfect project for the building," she said. "The north side has a little cove with a parking lot. There's brick wall on three sides. The north wall is the center canvas, which would be framed by all these urban textures. I think (the mural) could really pop and liven up the area and hopefully be an inspiration for other places downtown."
Lilly grew up in the area and remembers visiting the Moscow Hotel building in the 1980s, when it was home to the Moscow Deli.
"It has a ton of history," she said. "It's been the center of the Moscow commercial district for over 100 years. Our main goal is to take care of it and help it age gracefully for the next 100 years."
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Spence may be contacted at bspence@lmtribune.com or (208) 791-9168.
