If you’ve walked into Mystic Café at any point during the past couple of months, you may have noticed some changes in the main lobby. The art on the walls is new! Mystic is now handing its walls over to local artists on a monthly rotation to encapsulate the beauty in and around all of us. With artists from all over the LC Valley and The Palouse, the rotation is never the same. With a diverse mix of mediums, they’re now taking their turn to show us how they see the place we call home, providing a unique opportunity for us to step into the creative life happening right here in our community.

We had the chance to head down and lend a hand as our July artists made their entrance, and there was just something so genuinely exciting about watching the gallery go up. The empty wall between installations has a distinct energy of its own, calm and expectant. The artists began unwrapping carefully packaged pieces and the room was soon full of a new kind of life. As the wall began to fill up, we noticed customers excitedly stealing glances as they passed through, watching the display start to take shape. By the time the artists had all of their work in place, the whole space felt new.

But what makes the gallery special isn’t JUST the art, it’s the perspective. Every artist is showing us how they see our home. The bright yellow canola fields we all know and love brings life to canvases covered in the Palouse. Our 8-legged garden friends crawl across blank space, showing off bright colors and unique shapes. Faith shines through steady brush strokes in unique portrayals of a common belief. All of the quiet corners of day-to-day life, through someone else’s eyes. It’s a kind reminder that the places we walk through every day typically have a lot more to offer, if we stop and pay attention.

And the creative energy at Mystic doesn’t stop with the walls. On Friday and Saturday nights, the café fills with live music from local musicians, bringing more of the community’s talents into the building, to share with you. Grab a drink and settle in near the stage for the perfect soundtrack to explore the works of our neighbors and friends. Next time you find yourself at Mystic, slow down just a bit and look at what’s on the walls. Read the artist bios and check out their websites, you may find yourself leaving with a new favorite artist and some unexpected Saturday plans.

Live Music schedule is available at Themysticcafe.com