Three-Part Harmony

By George Frank
Contributing Writer

In his studies of city dwellers, Canadian sociologist Erving Goffman observed that much effort is directed toward the presentation of self. He noted that oftentimes, due to mishaps in the “machinery of self-production,” “a momentary discrepancy arises between what the individual anticipated being and what events imply he is.” The same can be said of cities. But for a city, such discrepancies are not easily corrected. Mishaps in planning or the failure to capitalize on opportunities, for example, may require a generation to correct.

As downtown Fargo evolves from its recent quiet past to a bustling center of commerce and culture, it’s worth asking: what do those involved in Fargo’s machinery of self-production anticipate it being? Will the culture and commerce of downtown Fargo remain bounded by railroad tracks and University Avenue?

The folks at Stationhouse aren’t waiting for answers. What exactly is Stationhouse? Well, it’s part coffeeshop (Red Raven), part studio (SeaGrave Studios), and part experiment in co-operative living. Like much of life, Stationhouse resulted from a combination of planning and good timing.

Red Raven

This past fall, the Red Raven faced a choice - renew its lease at a higher rent or leave Roberts Street for new digs. Enter Anna Mladnick and her partner Aeron Maurbjorn, who run SeaGrave Studios. For several months, the two had been developing the idea of a co-operative living space that included studios and could function as a hub for the F-M creative community. One afternoon, Anna wandered into the Red Raven and a discussion with Joe Curry of the Raven ensued. With customary understatement, Joe recalls “I met Anna one day and she started discussing the idea that became Stationhouse.”

Besides finding common ground with Anna and Aeron, the Raven has found a remarkable new space in the former firehall located at 916 Main Avenue. The new Raven is brighter, roomier, and will be a great place for music, conversation, or quiet study. Double garage doors will allow for outdoor music and seating in the summer. Right now, the Raven is busy transforming the first floor of the Stationhouse into a comfortable and eclectic space.

For the Raven, the venture was not without its risks, “We (Red Raven) were a block off Broadway, and were concerned that no one would cross the tracks to come.” Nonetheless, the Raven took the risk. Joe sees value in providing the youth of F-M and the surrounding area a space to identify with, a place to hear music outside of bars, and he views the Raven as part of the “pulsating out” of the downtown core. Erik Meyer of the Raven said, “We want to enable a nurturing, sustainable environment for creative community endeavors. Downtown is coming into its own and will continue to bloom.” Best of all, adds this writer, the coffee still kicks ass.

The Co-operative

Founded in 1844, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers is often credited with establishing the co-operative model. Begun by artisans working in the cotton mills of England dissatisfied with poor working conditions and low wages, the artisans banded together to pool resources and established a model in which the artisans, as well as their customers, became owners of the business. Today, the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) boasts 248 member organizations from 92 countries representing approximately 1 billion individuals worldwide. The ICA describes co-operatives as enterprises that put people, not capital, at the center of their business.

Co-operatives, states the ICA, are owned and democratically controlled by their members, and thereby “balance the need for profitability with the needs of their members and the wider interests of the community.”

The co-operative living arrangement at Stationhouse is based on the Rochdale principles of democracy, voluntary membership, autonomy, education, and concern for the community. I asked Joe Curry, why a co-operative? “The idea is to develop an idea that continues: an anchor in the community for the creative class, run by and for the creative class. The idea is that ten years from now, if the founders are gone, the idea can continue: community orientated on the arts.”
For at least some members of the co-operative, Stationshouse includes expanding the commerce and culture of downtown Fargo beyond Broadway. Member Sarah Watson Curry: “I think the urban landscape has drastically changed over the past 10 years. We’ve had a lot of businesses move in and room for more. I hope that downtown boasts an efficient use of urban density, transportation, and infrastructure (groceries, daily needs for work, playing, living) that attracts and is utilized by the diverse populations in the FM metro area. I’d love to see more families (lots of drinking is the focus now), more cultures represented.” Erik Meyer added: “I want to be here long-term. This means using resources sensibly and having more say in my surroundings.”

SeaGrave Studios

Although SeaGrave will have 10 studio spaces for rent beginning January 1, the studio- like the Stationhouse - has a greater vision. Said Anna, “As co-coordinator of SeaGrave Studios, I aim to provide a platform for new ideas, creative endeavors, emerging artists as well as established area artists. Forging a bond between downtown entities, creating a strong network of people and businesses.” She added with infectious enthusiasm, “more art everywhere! . . . art should be accessible to everyone.”

Originally from Forest Lake, Minnesota, Anna moved here to study at MSUM. Once here, she met her best friend and partner Aeron. Why did she choose Fargo? “For me Minneapolis (U of M, MCAD or the Art Institute) was far too close (to home), far too big and far too familiar.

Fargo/Moorhead was completely unfamiliar, I have no family here and all of that really appealed to me.” She continued, “I love this city, I love the weather, the trains, the layout, the people, everything about this place already is home, so it hasn’t really been an option to “make” this my home so much as accept and embrace it.”

The studio has formed sisterships with other studios including the Midwest Mud-Coop and the Roberts Street Studio. One common goal of these sister studios is creating more public art in Fargo, from large scale installations to park benches. For Anna and many young artists, Fargo provides opportunities simply unavailable in major metropolitan areas. Says Anna, “ I(we) am(are) very passionate and extremely determined to see this community rise to its fullest potential.” As for the studio’s name, it is apropos for Stationhouse; Seagrave is also the name of a fire truck manufacturer.

New Year’s Eve at the Stationhouse: Art de Trois

“Fine Art, fine food, and a fine experience” goes the slogan. It’s not a grand opening, but it might as well be. This New Year’s Eve, the three sister studios (Midwest Mud, Roberts Street, and SeaGrave) have planned what promises to be one heckuva a good time: Art de Trois. Says Anna, “This event is a great way to showcase Stationhouse, it’s one of the few times people will see the whole space” and experience what Stationhouse is all about. Amber Parsons of the Midwest Mud Co-op had been contemplating this sort of event for months and found willing partners in SeaGrave and Roberts Street. Notes Aeron, “This wouldn’t be happening without the hottub meetings.” “Fargo is about to burst.” says Anna.

Art de Trois has three courses. The first is a vegetarian dinner in the co-operative. Embroidered napkins, custom cupcake holders, art by the MSUM ceramics guild, and each diner will receive a unique plate created by Amber Parsons. Oh yeah, the food. Nichole’s fine pastry is providing the desserts, wine pairing are by the Sidestreet, and the vegetarian meal, well, let’s just say the chef is fantastic and worth the price of admission alone. If atmosphere is any indication, it will be exquisite. The second floor of the stationhouse boasts a large open room with a corner fireplace, exposed ceilings, and you’ll suffer kitchen-envy. There are only 25 tickets for this event, so hurry up! (tickets at Green Market, Nichole’s Fine Pastry, and the Red Raven).

The second course, an art auction, is open to the public and begins at 8:30 pm. Curated by Midwest Mud, Roberts Street, and SeaGrave, the silent auction features work by Zhimin Guan, Carl Olvedt, and many other F-M artists. Ten percent of the proceeds support the March of Dimes, a non-profit dedicated to delivering healthy full-term babies.

Last but not least, SeaGrave is hosting “DJs in a Cage.” And yes, there actually is a cage. This event is 21+ and tickets are $10 at the door. The Sidestreet bar will be there providing refreshments along with music by Icedbreaks Entertainment. So stop on by and dance your face off to Joyride, Econ, Trish the Dish, and a guest DJ from Minneapolis.

Coda

In a recent essay on Goffman, Michael Dirda observes that anxiety may result from those momentary discrepancies between the self one anticipates being and the self that events imply. But notes Dirda, Goffman suggests that in that anxiety exists “the possibility of defining oneself as unique and distinctive. One can learn to step back from assigned and self-assigned roles and view them with a saving irony.” As downtown Fargo continues to grow and redefine itself, city leaders, business owners, and artists should seize upon the opportunities to create a Fargo that is unique and distinctive. Stationhouse is a leap in the right direction.

Tickets: 6:30 Dinner $45 at Green Market, Nichole’s, Red Raven; 8:30 Auction free to all; 9:00 Dance $10 at the door.

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If You Go

What: Art de Trois
When: Dec 31, 6:30pm Dinner; 8:30 Auction; 9:00 Dance
Where: Stationhouse, 916 Main Avenue
Info: 715-864-6031