Immortalizing Downtown: Kim Jore’s Paintings of Broadway Pubs

Tucked away in what used to be “The Corner That Rocks,” a.k.a. Kirby’s, you will find the studio of local artist Kim Jore. Riverzen, located in the historical Kassenborg building in Moorhead, is home to her hair salon and studio, where she paints and teaches watercolor and acrylic painting. In addition, it houses massage therapists Peggy Amsbaugh and Shelly Brakke.

Expect to find the walls covered in a revolving display of Kim’s original artwork, and often the work of a featured guest artist. At the moment Kim is busy on the final production of a series titled “Pubs on Broadway.” This collection of local watering holes will be on display at 300 Broadway, from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, at a fundraising event for the Great Plains Food Bank. You can visit her website, http://www.riverzen.com for a preview of the pieces included in the show.

HPR: What prompted you to do a series of paintings of pubs on Broadway?

Kim Jore: One of the reasons I pursued this series was to support our local pubs by displaying my vision of who they are and what they offer our community. I lived on Broadway for 20 years, so it has a special place in my heart. I’m a downtown person and I’ve enjoyed seeing it take off in the last 10 years. My paintings are of the ten pubs on downtown Broadway. I started at Vintner’s Cellar, then Old Broadway, Fort Noks, the HoDo, Rooters, Billiards on Broadway, Monte’s, Dempsey’s, the Empire and finished at the Bismarck.

HPR: Prints from these pieces are being sold at a fundraiser on the 17th of November. Was charity part of the equation from the beginning?

KJ: Yes. I do fundraising for a charity each year. In the past, I’ve done private donations from art sales, but this year I wanted to do a public event to raise the awareness of hunger in our community. A client of mine, Steve Stellant, works with the Great Plains Food Bank and has been a long time supporter of mine, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to help their cause.

HPR: The Kilbourne Group is sponsoring the space for the fundraiser. How did you become involved with their organization?

KJ: They are a downtown organization, and supported the Studio Crawl this year by letting several artists display in their space. I thought it was a natural space to display my Broadway Pub series, and it’s my hope that their influence in the community will help bring people to the show so they can support this cause.

HPR: What should people expect when they come to your show on the 17th?

KJ: I’ll be using faux street lights and trees to line a recreation of Broadway itself. The original paintings will be displayed along an indoor “Broadway.” I’ll have 8x10 matted prints available at the show as well, and half of the proceeds will go directly to the Great Plains Food Bank. We’ll also be accepting cash donations on their behalf. The event will be catered, so we’ll have bar-style food and drink along with live music. We have Michael Pink and Bryce Midas performing throughout the show.

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INFO:

What: Kim Jore: Broadway Pubs
Where: 300 Broadway
When: Tues, Nov 17, 6-8 p.m.
How much: Free of charge, donations accepted