Arts

​Master of clay, Louie Albertson

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…

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​Big visions for the Plains Art Museum: renovation, expansion and opportunities abound

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…

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​Hel’s Fury Tattoo Fest

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

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​Big plans and a nightmare to remember at the Plains

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,…

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Indigenous Art Fair

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

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​Moorhead artist lampoons administration figures with jar art

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…

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​‘Art is, at times, a criminal act:’ an interview with a graffiti legend SHOCK UC MSK

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…

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​Internationally acclaimed graffiti artist to give talk and lead workshop at NDMOA

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…

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​Fargo-Moorhead Empty Bowls

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.…

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​Joe Ellis: Graffiti expert, collections consultant and overall cool guy

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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