The Essence of Fargo: Kim Jore’s “Pubs off Broadway”

By Charly Haley
Contributing Writer

By combining her passions for art and activism, Kim Jore of Riverzen Art Studio, Salon and Gallery in Moorhead strives to make a difference in the community. She is using her original art collection, “Pubs Off Broadway,” as a fundraiser for the Great Plains Food Bank.

The collection consists of 12 watercolor paintings of bars off Broadway in Fargo. It is the second collection in Jore’s three year series; last year was “Pubs On Broadway,” and next year Jore plans on concluding the series with “Pubs Revisited,” which will feature, as Jore described, “pubs that are no longer.” The entire art series is part of the fundraiser for the Great Plains Food Bank.

The opening event for the fundraiser will be on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. at Gallery 14 in Downtown Fargo, off Broadway. At the event, prints from both the “Pubs Off Broadway” and “Pubs On Broadway” collections will be available for purchase, with all of the proceeds going to the Great Plains Food Bank.

The event will also feature live music from Charlie of the Moody River Band and poetry reading. There is no cover charge for the event.

After the event, Jore’s prints will still be sold for the fundraiser at Riverzen until Dec. 31st.

Jore was inspired to support the Great Plains Food Bank because one of her clients is the director. She thought raising awareness about all of the hungry people in the area sounded like a notable cause because it addresses an issue that is both local and national.

“Giving back to the community is my passion,” Jore said. She has worked with several other charities and community service organizations, such as Rainbow Bridge and the Boys and Girls Club.

Jore uses her art to give back to the community because art is another one of her passions.

“Art makes people happy, usually,” Jore said, “and I want to share it with everybody.”

Jore chose bars as the subject of her art series for a number of reasons. She said that she thinks it is a good setting to interact with people and tries to capture what is special about each place. At last year’s “Pubs On Broadway” gallery, Jore said that the paintings were effective in making people laugh and reminisce about their experiences.

She not only puts a lot of thought into the artwork, but also into the structure of the fundraising events. Last year, the “Pubs On Broadway” gallery opening was at a venue on Broadway, and this year’s is appropriately off Broadway. Jore said that next year, with “Pubs Revisited,” she plans on having the opening at Riverzen, which was formerly a bar.

Jore is excited about this year’s event, and hopes that the fundraiser will continue to be successful. To contact her for more information on the fundraiser or her art, visit http://www.riverzen.com.

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If You Go

What: Great Plains Food Bank Fundraiser
Where: Gallery 14
When: Thurs, Nov 11, 6pm
Info: 701.239.0063