June 15th, 2026
By Jacinta Zens
I recently sat down for a chat with ceramicist Louie Albertson, Clay and Studio Program Manager at the Plains Art Museum. Before the interview, I had the pleasure of getting to know him a bit as a colleague when I was a Teaching Artist at the Plains Art Museum, and from working in their Community Studio.
What I found through these experiences is that Louie is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and has an interesting and varied background. So much so that I wanted to get…
May 19th, 2026
By Sabrina Hornung
The Plains Art Museum has been a trailblazing force in the North Dakota art scene since its inception and it’s not slowing down any time soon. In fact, this summer they are preparing to break ground on a major renovation and expansion of their permanent collection facility.
But first, a little history: The building as we know it started out as an International Harvester (IH) warehouse, built in 1904. According to the Plains Art website, the first floor was dedicated…
April 24th, 2026
Friday, May 8 - Sunday, May 10, 2-8 p.m.
Brewhalla, 1702 1st Ave. N., Fargo
Amarok Tattoo is working with our pals at Drekker Brewing/Brewhalla to celebrate ink and everything odd and a little macabre. See some of the best in the tattoo biz at work and maybe even get tattooed yourself. Day and weekend passes are available. tinyurl.com/v8yttd6d
April 15th, 2026
By Sabrina Hornung
Something wicked (and wonderful) this way comes to this year’s Plains Art Gala. With the theme being “Nightmare at the Museum,” the Plains Art Museum is partnering up with Drekker and Brewhalla as presenting sponsors. This annual fundraiser and silent art auction benefits museum programming as well as valuable museum projects.
It’s no secret that the Plains Art Gala is one of the best and most highly anticipated parties of the year. With this year’s theme,…
April 15th, 2026
Saturday, April 25 - Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Plains Art Museum, 704 1st Ave. N., Fargo
This unique event features the art created by Indigenous artists from throughout the region. This is an art fair you won’t want to miss! Hungry? Food will be available for purchase on-site. plainsart.org
April 10th, 2026
By Bryce Vincent Haugen
Deep in the basement of artist Lana Suomala’s 100-year-old house in downtown Moorhead, there’s a pantry with utility shelves filled with jars. But instead of containing pickles, beets or green beans, these jars contain art — Trump administration figures' faces attached to insect bodies, a message that mixes absurdity and seriousness.
The 42-jar project was launched in January during what Suomala calls “the ICE occupation of Minneapolis and the fear that it…
March 30th, 2026
By Jacinta Zens
I have been a fan of graffiti since I first saw it as a child. As a kid who was always into some sort of creative endeavor, the movement, colors and intricate details of pieces I would see on trains always fascinated me. By my teens, I was mesmerized by graffiti.
I never got into writing graffiti myself for multiple reasons. But I have deep respect for graffiti artists, as their dedication to the art and all that entails is incredibly rare, and mastering the art form is…
March 25th, 2026
By Jacinta Zens
Graffiti is something we all see routinely on trains as they pass through the metro. If you pay attention even a little bit, you will notice that some graffiti pieces on train cars look much better than others in terms of letter structure, composition, color usage and technical execution.
As with any art, the ability to create exquisite, elaborate, multicolored works comes with years of practice and an enormous amount of dedication, time, and patience to hone your…
March 2nd, 2026
Saturday, March 7, 4-8 p.m.
Swing Barrel Brewing, 814 Central Ave., Moorhead
Empty Bowls is a nationwide, grassroots, artist-led movement to support hunger related organizations in their communities. On March 7, prepare to fill your bowl to help fill your neighbor’s. Area artists create soup bowls for the cause. Come enjoy a soup meal with bread and entertainment courtesy of Jonesy and RGB Lighthouse. You keep the bowl. All proceeds benefit the Dorothy Day Food Pantry in Moorhead.…
February 23rd, 2026
By Jacinta Zens
While researching the upcoming exhibition, “Re-Arming Language: Post-Graffiti Artists,” which opens March 5 at the North Dakota Museum of Art (261 Centennial Dr. in Grand Forks), I spoke with graffiti expert and art acquisition consultant Joe Ellis. His unique backstory is so enthralling that I wanted to share our extended conversation with all of you.
HPR: How did you first become interested in graffiti?
Joe Ellis: The first time graffiti registered for me was along…
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By Bryce Vincent Haugen By all accounts, Democratic-Farmer-Labor U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar — first elected in 2006 — is the most popular active politician in Minnesota, whether she’s judged by polling or by her four electoral…
Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.Paradox Comics-N-Cards, 814 Main Ave., FargoCalling all nerds: it’s time to get down and nerdy with vendors aplenty, who are selling comics, toys, video games, board games, various collectibles…
June 6-7StatewideYou grab a line and I’ll grab a pole — and if you’re a North Dakota resident, you can head on down to your favorite fishing hole, no license needed (for this weekend, anyway). All other rules still apply…
By John Strand It took us over 30 years for us to reach out and ask for your help. The High Plains Reader has always been subscription free and paywall free. Our content has — and always will be — free to access for all of our…
By Ed RaymondWere women created to do the work of God?One of the first requests made by new Pope Leo XIV was to invite an expert on the alt-right conservative Catholic organization known as Opus Dei to brief him about its…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
By Rick GionThe scarfing of canned fish and seafood products by online food influencer types is hard to miss on social media these days. Some of the consumed morsels range from exquisite to downright nasty. However, there are many…
By Bryce Vincent Haugen The curtain has come down on Jade Presents. Fargo-Moorhead’s largest event promoter has brought thousands of shows — more than 150 per year — and hundreds of artists to the area over the past 36 years. On…
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By Greg Carlson Steven Spielberg, who will turn 80 this December, returns to the subject of aliens among us in “Disclosure Day,” his first feature since “The Fabelmans” in 2022. Now closer to the end than the beginning of…
By Jacinta Zens I recently sat down for a chat with ceramicist Louie Albertson, Clay and Studio Program Manager at the Plains Art Museum. Before the interview, I had the pleasure of getting to know him a bit as a colleague when I…
Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Eli Liverani Cholesterol is probably one of the first molecules I have ever heard of in my childhood. Most of the relatives on my mother's side had high cholesterol in their blood, and apparently, levels above a certain range…
January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…
Chris M. Stoner I was recently dismissed from my role as drag show director and emcee for Dakota OutRight, a role I had been fulfilling for more than two decades. The reason given? My political commentary during shows, while…
