Arts

Recognizing a rural legacy

December 17th, 2015

Jack Dura wanders the road less traveled

It’s hard to pinpoint what sparked NDSU journalism senior Jack Dura’s interest in our state, but once Dura learned that North Dakota was celebrating 125 years of statehood last year, the wheels started turning. “I thought that was a pretty significant date,” says Fargo native Jack Dura, “then I found out the state had one waterfall, and I thought there must be a lot of things around here that people don’t know about.”

Armed with his…

Michael Strand: The Role of Craft

December 10th, 2015

by Ben Rheault

As part of its ongoing series of classes and lectures, The Rourke Art Museum is bringing local artist, activist, and educator Michael Strand to discuss the history of craft from its origins as functional objects to its use as a tool bringing awareness to current issues. I asked Michael a few questions about his work, and what he will be discussing with us at his lecture this coming Saturday.

HPR: With your Bush fellowship, you have traveled throughout the world to study.…

“Home on the Prairie” reception at Uptown Gallery

December 9th, 2015

By David McCoy

Award-winning Virginian artist Deborah Mae Broad’s wood engravings are on display and for sale at the Uptown Gallery as part of her “Home on the Prairie” show throughout the entire month of December.

Broad works with the medium of canvas painting, but she is well known for her wood-cut engravings and prints. Her depictions of animals and landscapes have brought her nationwide fame and victories at several Midwestern outdoor art fairs. She won Best of Show for her…

Art history with a pulse

December 3rd, 2015

By David McCoy

After years of providing a one-stop repository for art slides and projections for all students and their departments, Minnesota State University Moorhead’s slide library will be closing its doors in 2016. To commemorate the medium and history of visual projection and the decades of work archiving, categorizing and procuring slides, MSUM’s upper-level sculpting class will be showcasing its collection at the Plains Art Museum on Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Projectors…

A work in progress

December 2nd, 2015

A rural community’s effort to save a cultural treasure

The Ellendale Opera House is a rare gem hidden two hours southwest of Fargo on the south-central North Dakota prairie. Built in 1909, it was the largest venue between Minneapolis and Seattle in its day, and it is one of the few of its kind still standing. The initial purpose of the Ellendale Opera House was to serve as a cultural and social hub for the area, though it has encountered a few hiccups along the way.

A few individuals…

Balkowitsch’s “immortal impressions” in glass and silver

November 18th, 2015

Shane Balkowitsch is a photographer based out of Bismarck, N.D., though he is no ordinary photographer. He is a wet plate artist meaning his photo process dates back to the mid-1800s. In fact he is the only wet plate artist in the state. His work has appeared in numerous publications, and he does demonstrations statewide, thanks to a portable darkroom.

HPR: You are a self-taught ambrotypist. What sparked the passion? Was there one image that started it all?

Shane Balkowitsch: I never had…

Multi-dimensional talent celebrated in Newvember

November 5th, 2015

Ecce presents fourth annual group show

In its fourth year, ecce’s annual group show, Newvember, has gathered an impressive collection of artists and a formidable reputation. By presenting such a variety of talents and media, the show becomes an homage to the capability of artists in this region.

Opening on Friday, from 6-9 p.m., the public is welcome to view the newest work from ecce regulars such as Cole LaRocque, Mike Marth, Bob Crowe, Meghan Duda and others – as well as new…

Getting hyped for the Clean Skate Project at The Hawk’s Nest

November 4th, 2015

The Hawk’s Nest is a skateboard coop housed in a north Fargo warehouse. Not only does it serve as a private skate park founded and built by skaters for skaters, but it has also been known to host live music and art shows.

This Saturday, The Hawk’s Nest will transform its skate park into an art gallery with the Clean Skate Project, which will feature the work of over 25 local and national artists.

The artists were each presented with two white pre-skated decks to transform any way…

Unearthing the “Sodbuster”

October 30th, 2015

Plains Art Museum to give press conference on iconic sculpture’s restoration

For over 20 years “Sodbuster, San Isidro,” the striking, boldly powerful sculpture of a homesteader plowing with a team of bulls, could be seen hard at work tilling the intersection of Main and Broadway in downtown Fargo. Unfortunately, due to years of deterioration caused by severe North Dakota winters and an unfortunate lack of care, the once-proud art piece was placed into storage, in the hopes that it…

Getting creative at Make Room

October 30th, 2015

Although located subterraneously, local artist Chelsea Thorson’s recently opened business, Make Room, is lit up with creativity by people of all different levels of experience.

“We are all inherently creative,” Thorson said. “Whether you make a living in the arts or you haven’t touched a paintbrush since elementary school, we all share the creative gene. If you are alive, your ancestors used creativity to sustain themselves through difficult circumstances. We can all access…