Arts

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…

Climbing to a more colorful future

October 22nd, 2015

By John Showalter

Living in one of the more prosperous nations in the world, it can be easy to take things for granted. Whether it’s food, clean water, shelter, education, proper medical care or even something that might be passed off as unnecessary by the more cynical of us, like art or a place to play. There are millions if not billions of people on this planet that would be ecstatic to have even one of those things. In the case of the last two, Ann Mladnick and her husband Mat St.…

Mike Marth: Developed Work, New Series at ecce

October 15th, 2015

In his fifth solo show at ecce gallery, Mike Marth continues to push his unending approach to working and making for yet another series.

Like the previously shown, well-recognized work, Marth’s newest collection offers an extension of the mixed media sculpture and reliefs that punctuate his entire body of work.

The latest series is set apart by the heavy emphasis on the combination of organic forms and objects with industrial materials. More than ever, Marth’s varied found materials…

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…An exclusive interview with Dutch artist Bart Jansen

October 7th, 2015

Bart Jansen, 36, is an artist who lives and works in The Netherlands. His piece “Orvillecopter,” part of his “World’s First” series, has received worldwide attention after his test video went viral. “Orvillecopter” was a collaboration between Jansen It’s a bird, it’s a plane...

An exclusive interview with Dutch artist Bart Jansen

By Sabrina Hornung

Bart Jansen, 36, is an artist who lives and works in The Netherlands. His piece “Orvillecopter,” part of his “World’s…

Roll Out

October 1st, 2015

Star Wallowing Bull’s solo exhibition “Transformer” hits the Plains

Star Wallowing Bull has been drawing robots since he could pick up a pencil. Some things never change -- other than his medium of choice and the walls his art has hung upon. “I've been drawing transformers all my life,” says Wallowing Bull. In fact a few of his childhood drawings, including his attempt at illustrating a transformer comic book (at age 11), grace a wall of the Plains Art Museum along with the…