University of Idaho’s College of Art and Architecture to Host Inaugural Moscow Furniture Show in Idaho
The University of Idaho’s College of Art and Architecture is set to host the inaugural Moscow Furniture Show on Saturday, May 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the 1912 Center, located at 412 E. Third St. in Moscow, Idaho. The free, public event will showcase furniture designed and built by third-year students in the Interior Architecture and Design Program, alongside pieces from local and regional design professionals.
The event marks a new milestone for U of I’s design program — one born partly out of necessity. The annual Chair Affair Gala, organized by the Boise-based Interior Designers of Idaho, was postponed this year due to the organization’s restructuring. Rather than leave students without a regional showcase opportunity, faculty and students moved quickly to create a local alternative that keeps the spotlight on student work and community connection.
Student Creativity Meets Community Collaboration
Tharique De Silva, assistant professor of interior architecture and design at the University of Idaho, helped lead the effort to launch the show. De Silva described the event as an opportunity to honor student effort while opening a dialogue between emerging designers and the broader public.
“This exhibit allows for our program and instructional team to celebrate the hard work and successes of our students, while giving the students themselves the opportunity to demonstrate how their created pieces can invite conversation and connection,” De Silva said in remarks attributed to the university. “This is exemplified by the theme of the furniture pieces requiring some form of sensory response or component — something we hope that the show’s visitors will enjoy interacting with.”
That theme — sensory engagement — runs throughout the student work on display. Each piece is designed to provoke some form of physical or sensory interaction from visitors, moving beyond passive observation and into active participation. The approach reflects a broader philosophy within the Interior Architecture and Design Program, where students are trained to think about how design shapes human experience in practical, tangible ways.
The Moscow Furniture Show also reflects the kind of hands-on, community-rooted education that has long distinguished programs at the University of Idaho from larger, more abstract academic settings. Students gain real-world exposure to design professionals while receiving direct feedback from community members — an invaluable experience that complements classroom instruction. For more on student design work happening at U of I, see our recent coverage of an architecture student exploring adaptive reuse and green design.
Event Details and How to Participate
Admission to the Moscow Furniture Show is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite student designs across four award categories, enjoy live music, and sample local food and drinks. Raffle prizes supported by local businesses and regional design firms will also be available.
Design professionals interested in exhibiting their own built furniture pieces may participate for a small fee. The inclusion of regional designers alongside student work is intentional — organizers hope the show will serve as a networking bridge, connecting emerging talent with established professionals in Idaho’s design community.
The 1912 Center, a well-known gathering space in downtown Moscow, provides an appropriate venue for an event focused on craft, community, and creativity. Its location in the heart of Moscow makes it accessible to residents across Latah County and the surrounding Palouse region.
The show is the latest example of the University of Idaho’s College of Art and Architecture engaging with Moscow and the wider region in meaningful, practical ways. From student-led projects to public exhibitions, the college continues to serve as a cultural anchor for the community. Vandals have also been making their mark in competitive settings — read about how Vandals continue to build at the Cougar Classic.
What Comes Next
The inaugural Moscow Furniture Show takes place Saturday, May 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the 1912 Center in Moscow. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, interact with the student and professional pieces on display, and cast their votes for standout designs. Those seeking additional information or wishing to inquire about exhibiting can contact Tharique De Silva directly at tdesilva@uidaho.edu. Organizers hope the event becomes an annual tradition that grows alongside Idaho’s regional design community.