Bikes and Art: Block Warming Party

By Krista Thom
Contributing Writer

Amber Parsons and Sara Watson Curry first met in college, and soon became friends. They had a lot in common – they were both art majors at MSUM, and both enjoyed riding their bikes. They even started a bike club known as the Red Riders.

After graduation, they stayed close – literally. The FM Community Bicycle Workshop, of which Curry was a member, moved to the same block as Parson’s art co-op, Midwest Mud.

The two got to talking and decided they needed some way of introducing themselves to the world. They soon came up with the idea of a block warming party.

They scheduled the event for Saturday, October 16, from roughly 1 to 9 pm.

Parsons said the point of the event is to welcome people into the establishments, and to celebrate the revitalization of their corner of downtown Fargo.

Some activities at the block warming party are planned, and some will be improvised. A family bike ride is planned for 4:30, and MSUM students will be showing short films at 7:30. There will be face painting, kids’ crafts, and a pumpkin carving contest going on all day. People are also encouraged to just stop by and check out both organizations.

Midwest Mud was opened in February, two months after Parsons graduated. She says she got the idea for the co-op while modeling for art students at MSUM. While Parsons was sitting motionless, she would think about ideas for Midwest Mud. “I’d keep a legal pad with me, and after I was done sitting, I’d write down all the thoughts I’d had,” she said.

The whole point of Midwest Mud was to give artists a place to work after they graduate. The co-op is not an art gallery. Instead, it provides a workspace for several local artists. It also holds community art classes and occasionally hosts art shows.

The FM Community Bicycle Workshop was established a few years ago, but up until recently, it was housed on the corner of 1st Ave and University. It moved to its new home at 209 NP Ave this summer.

Speaking generally, the FM Community Bicycle Workshop exists to help promote cycling as a mode of transportation. They help provide bikes for the needy, and promote biking as a way of protecting the environment. But they are best known for helping people learn to repair their own bicycles.

Although bikes and art may seem like a strange mixture, Curry says the combination works. “Bikes and art go together very well. We have a lot of creative types [at the workshop].”

If You Go:

What: Block Warming Party
Where: 209 & 213 NP Ave.
When: Sat., October 16, 1-9 pm.
Info: 701.478.4021, 701.219.3388