Celebrating Culture on the Plains: The Pekin Days Events

    The commitment of arts advocates in the small town of Pekin, North Dakota, continues at an energetic pace as the Pekin Days Art Show opens with juror awards selected by North Dakota’s own Walter Piehl—acclaimed Western Americana painter, art educator and Bush Enduring Visions award winner.  Participating artists include well known practitioners like Ellen Diederich, Michael Dunn, Janna Warcup, Guilleimo Guardia, Robert Kurkowski and 87 others, with a total of 237 artworks.

    Witness a prairie town at its artistic best by attending the eclectic art exhibition and a number of attendant events, including a special exhibit featuring the work of Jim Dow. The North Dakota Museum of Art is sponsoring Dow’s noteworthy photo show of North Dakota and Minnesota landmarks called Marking the Land.

    Supporting small town Dakota is a worthy endeavor. Not only will fine art be on display and for sale, but an arts and crafts fair punctuates the weekend activities, along with music from bands like Old Tyme Kings and many others. In addition, Fargo glass-blower Jon Offut will be on hand to demonstrate his extraordinary skills on Saturday and Sunday. The Paul Durocher Family will perform bluegrass, country, folk and traditional music following a 5-7 pm Saturday beef barbeque.

    Additional reasons to find Pekin on the map and motor there include: Street dancing to the music of the Albert Lee Band (9 pm - 1 am Saturday) sponsored by the Peek-in-Pub and the North Dakota Council on the Arts. On Sunday, the day begins with a pancake feed from 8-11 am, and the afternoon features the North River Ramblers, an up-and-coming blue grass group from Grand Forks who will perform in the park.

    One unique aspect of the festivities is charitable. The Nelson County Motorcycle Club will “Ride for Cancer” in memory of Pekinite Norman Rude, a supportive member of the Pekin community. Register for this event after 10:30 on Saturday.

    Hats off to Pekin as it once again hosts a multitude of art and musical events—too many to mention here—that help to keep our rural communities hip, hopping and art and music savvy. Growing culture in the hinterlands has been a mission of many Dakota artists, including Piehl and Offut, plus many others. Local and regional arts organizers, and arts councils like NDMA and NDCA are also key to these successes. And Pekin businesses and community members are to be heartily commended. Pekin is certainly the place to be this weekend. For further information contact NCAC Director Brenda Bjorlie at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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INFO:

What: Pekin Days Art Show and Events
When: Thursday-Saturday, June 25-28
Where: Pekin, North Dakota
Cost: None