“Ellen Vieth & Jean Arnold: A Conversation"

For its second exhibition, Moscow Contemporary presents “Ellen Vieth & Jean Arnold: A Conversation.” The two artists are exhibiting a range of work they selected in response to their conversations. The exhibition opens Friday, Feb. 11, and continues through May 14. Prioritizing public safety in this moment, there will not be an opening reception. We hope to host a reception celebrating the two artists at a later date. The two are primarily painters. They had crossed paths since Jean Arnold moved back to the area a couple years ago but hadn’t had the opportunity to explore their artistic connections. Moscow Contemporary invited the two artists to participate in an exhibit together. The work included was selected and/or created by the artists through the process of their conversation. The exhibit, nurtured by MosCo, embodies the passion, commitment and concerns of the artists. “It’s a great thing to start from a clean slate. From one artist to two artists. From Drawing to painting. Having such incredible local resources as Jean and Ellen to work with, it’s wonderful to have them as part of our inaugural season,” says MosCo executive director, Roger Rowley. “How truly wonderful, the chance to have such in-depth discussions with the entire group,” says Ellen Vieth. Ms. Arnold is a professional visual artist residing in Pullman, WA. She has exhibited her paintings and mixed media paperworks in numerous solo and group shows, regionally and nationally. Her work is found in many public, corporate, and private collections. She was included in a 2021 exhibit at the Missoula Art Museum, EDGE OF THE ABYSS: ARTISTS PICTURING THE BERKELEY PIT. In 2018, Jean had a solo show in the Weber County Library System in Utah. In 2014, her work was included in the exhibit Creation and Erasure at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. In 2008, she had a solo museum exhibit at the Yellowstone Art Museum, in Billings, Mont. Arnold earned her MFA from Northern Vermont University (previously Johnson State College), in conjunction with the Vermont Studio Center, where she received guidance from numerous artistic luminaries. She also studied at the International School of Art in Italy. Vieth has a gallery and studio in Genesee Idaho. She curates small, exquisite exhibits from local and national artists at Little Pink House Gallery and Studio 84. Ellen previously served as the curator at the Center for Arts &N History at LCSC. She attended the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as Kansas City Art Institute, and has an MFA from the University of Idaho. Her work is in numerous collections, and her work has been exhibited nationally. She is represented by Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur D’Alene. Moscow Contemporary, a 501C3 tax-exempt nonprofit, has been transforming the space at 414 S. Main St. into a top Idaho gallery since August 2021.