Arts

A Woman’s Perspective presents: it’s “Dirty Work” but somebody has to do it

February 4th, 2015

By Beth Bradley

"The kids swinging in the barn, the go-kart races, the potluck feasts, the activity in the kitchen of the old farmhouse, all resonated of deep rooted traditional practices of gathering around food," Deb Wallwork said, when asked why she made the film, “Dirty Work: The Story of Elsie's Farm.”

"So when I visited for the first time, it felt like, yes, this is a different model of how we could be doing things,” added the former Fargo Film Festival participant. “In the…

Artists respond to the oil boom

January 21st, 2015

Michael Conlan, Bounty, 2013, Backlit photograph, wheat, wood, and gold leaf, 144 x 96 x 96 in. Courtesy of the artist.

By Austin Marts

Oil, roughnecks and … art? Oh my! The oil industry and art community collide as the Plains Art Museum teams up with 22 nationally, regionally and locally known artists, including three artistic collaborations, to interpret the oil rush that has put western North Dakota on the map as second in the nation in oil production. This show, opening Jan. 29, invites you to take into consideration the impact that the recent oil boom has had on the lives and land of western North…

Paintings, Pots and Prints: “3 P’s in a Pod” at Bluestem

December 5th, 2014

Last year local artist Emily Williams-Wheeler approached the folks of Bluestem with the idea of hosting a series of art events. Once she had their attention she immediately reached out to printmaker Eric Johnson and “3 P’s in a Pod” was born.

The event will feature the work of Eric Johnson, Sam Norman, Chelsea Odden and McCal Joy Johnson. They will be using three different media and offering demonstrations, while exhibiting their latest works at the Marcil Commons in the Bluestem…

Please Stand By: Works in Progress by Star Wallowing Bull

November 19th, 2014

Star Wallowing Bull received his first art award when he was in the third grade. The prize was a free month supply of chocolate milkshakes. He has received numerous awards since, including the Bush Foundation Fellowship in 2010 and, most recently, the Native Arts Cultural Foundation Fellowship in 2014.

According to his artist biography, courtesy of Minneapolis’ Bockley Gallery, which Star is represented by, “His work is currently featured in the exhibition ‘Before and After the…

Painting parties with a twist

November 19th, 2014

The paint-and-sip experience has finally hit Fargo-Moorhead. Creatively Uncorked hosts social painting parties at local and private venues.

Owner Shanna Cramer came up with the idea of Creatively Uncorked after seeing a picture on the Internet of a similar event. She knew instantly this was her dream job.

“I have a background in art, I have been painting since I was 12 and I went to school for it,” Cramer said. “I got sidetracked along the way by life and kids, so then I just got…

Shedding light: The art of Austin Marts

November 12th, 2014

For a photographer, light can be a best friend or worst enemy. Minnesota State University Moorhead student Austin Marts has been exploring this concept and has been studying how to control and effectively use light or, as Marts says, “use light intentionally.” His first exhibition at the Moorhead Atomic Coffee consists of 10 photographs using both digital prints and darkroom processes.

With this body of work, not only is he exploring light, he is also exploring a few different…

Halloween party for artists

October 22nd, 2014

The FMVA and the Rourke Light up the Night

Tricks and treats will run rampant this Halloween and one of the crown jewels of the celebratory “Hallo-week” will be a tastefully spooky costume party held at The Rourke Art Museum. The FMVA is teaming up with the Rourke for a Halloween bash like no other.

Guests are encouraged to costume up for this family friendly event for a chance to win an FMVA and Rourke membership under the eyes of celebrity judges John Lamb of the Fargo Forum and…

Roughrider Tattoo Expo

October 16th, 2014

Photo by Raul Gomez

It’s been a crazy fall so far. George Clooney got married, Amanda Bynes is back in the tabloids and, most important, Fargo’s very first tattoo convention is coming to the Fargo Civic Center. The two-day event will feature some of the best local artists and a few significant celebrity artists including Corey Miller of “LA Ink” and TV personality and former pro wrestler Brett “Big Schwag” Wagner.

The Roughrider Tattoo Expo will kick off on Friday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. and will…

Blue Belle Burlesque Troupe

October 16th, 2014

Fargo’s first-ever Roughrider Tattoo Expo will be held at the Civic Center Oct.24 and 25. Featured as the Sailor Jerry’s hula girls, along with international headliner Ophelia Flame, will be Fargo’s own all-female Blue Belle’s Burlesque troupe.

With constant hard work and many days and nights spent rehearsing, these femme-fatales are here to entertain. The main goal they all share is to bring this burgeoning theatrical art entertainment in its best form to a community that has…

Art Boom Town

October 2nd, 2014

The Plains Art Museum presents “Art Boom: The Tri-College Art Faculty Show”

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that the Fargo-Moorhead art scene is booming. Thanks to not only the “Downtown Renaissance,” which involved the revitalization of its structures as well as its cultural points, but also the Tri-College community, which has fostered three incredible art departments. The Plains Art Museum will be host to Fargo-Moorhead’s first ever Tri-College faculty…