Moscow Seeks Public Input on Proposed Police Department Sculpture and City Shop Mural
Moscow residents have a brief window to weigh in on two public art projects taking shape in the city, with the comment period closing at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026.
The City of Moscow and the Moscow Arts Commission have opened online public comment forms for finalist proposals submitted for a sculpture at the Moscow Police Department and a mural at the City Shop. Community members are encouraged to review the finalist designs and submit feedback before the deadline.
Two Finalists Compete for MPD Sculpture Commission
The Moscow Police Department sculpture project drew six submissions during its initial qualification phase, which ran from early February through late March 2026. A Selection Panel composed of current and former MPD staff, local artists, and Moscow Arts Commission members reviewed and scored those submissions, ultimately advancing two artists to the finalist stage: James Dinh and Ken McCall.
Both finalists were asked to develop site-specific proposals for the location. Residents can view those proposals and submit comments through an online form hosted on the city’s website.
The police department sculpture is one of several efforts by the Moscow Arts Commission to bring permanent artwork to public-facing municipal facilities — spaces visited daily by residents seeking city services and interacting with local law enforcement.
Four Artists Vying for City Shop Mural
The City Shop mural project attracted considerably more interest during its qualification phase, pulling in 21 submissions between January and early March 2026. From that pool, a Selection Panel that included neighborhood residents, City Shop staff, and Arts Commission members selected four finalists to develop detailed proposals: Taylor Shaw, Matt Sunderman, Sasha Primo, and Joshua Martel.
As with the sculpture project, finalists crafted site-specific designs that are now available for public review online. Comments submitted through the city’s form will be compiled and forwarded to the Selection Panel as part of the final evaluation process.
How the Selection Process Works
Both projects followed the same general framework. Artists 18 and older from anywhere in the United States were eligible to apply. However, the selection process gave preference — in the form of additional scoring points before the panel’s evaluation — to artists with roots in Latah County, Nez Perce County, or who are enrolled members of the Nez Perce or Coeur d’Alene tribes, or who have a significant economic presence in Idaho. A secondary preference was extended to artists from Asotin County or Whitman County in Washington.
Once the public comment period closes, each Selection Panel will review community feedback alongside the established selection criteria developed by the Moscow Arts Commission and approved by Moscow City Council. The panels will then recommend a winning artist for each project to the Arts Commission, which in turn votes on a recommendation to send to City Council for final approval.
Residents who prefer to submit comments on paper rather than online can arrange to do so by contacting the city directly at mcherry@ci.moscow.id.us to set up an appointment.
The dual art projects reflect a broader push by city officials to invest in the visual character of Moscow’s public spaces, from municipal buildings to neighborhood infrastructure. Earlier this spring, the city also invited submissions for artwork on storm drain covers, signaling continued interest in integrating local artistic talent into everyday community settings.
Moscow has maintained an active civic calendar as summer approaches. The city is also preparing to transition to summer hours beginning June 8, coinciding with the return of community programs across the area — including the Moscow Summer Feeding Program, which kicks off June 8 with a community barbecue for families with school-age children.
Residents wishing to participate in the public art comment process are encouraged to act before the May 29 deadline, as no extension has been announced. Both comment forms are accessible through the City of Moscow’s official website.
What Comes Next
After the comment period closes May 29, Selection Panels for both the MPD sculpture and City Shop mural will compile community feedback and score finalist proposals according to approved criteria. Each panel will forward an artist recommendation to the Moscow Arts Commission, which will then vote on whether to advance that recommendation to City Council. City Council approval would represent the final step before contracts are issued and work begins.