Tracker Pixel for Entry

​A Fargo art two-fer

Arts | February 20th, 2019

Fish Keeper Two - by Carol Albright

Two local art exhibitions had their opening receptions last week, the first one being at the Spirit Room last Thursday. Their current exhibition, “Wonderful Works of Whimsy,” will be displayed until April 13th, free to view during the hours of 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“Whimsy” celebrates the fanciful nature of creativity, with bright colors, surreal images, and unique designs. Food and drink were served as some of the artists present gave talks on their pieces. Three works of art, chosen by local artist McCal Joy, were awarded best-in-show ribbons.

In Gallery I, a set of eye-catching sculptures are placed near the door to greet patrons as they walk in. This includes Rose Shindler Cunningham’s “Cat,” a fired ceramic vessel with handmade glass eyes. One of the artists at the forefront of this gallery is Kristen Rehder, who described her oil painting “Wild Horses” as “a celebration of color and light” in her artist statement. Alongside Rehder’s pieces are the vivid acrylic paintings of Emily Williams-Wheeler, who has an endearing portrait of a dog wearing a party hat entitled “Party Animal.”

In Gallery II you’ll find “Wine, Divinity, and Eggstasy,” a series of chicken, duck, and goose eggs intricately painted and assembled by Mary Jo Cayley. During her artist talk, Cayley offered to provide personal readings based on the participants’ favorite eggs.

Last Saturday, the Red Raven’s 8th Annual Erotic Art Show had its opening reception, complete with raffle drawings, specialty drinks, and Valentine’s Day-themed baked goods. Proceeds from the raffle went towards Planned Parenthood, while participants went home with CDs, artwork, and tickets to local events.

The exhibition’s imagery could easily appeal to a diverse audience. For example, a photographic collage by Anjali Karna entitled “It’s in All of Us” displays human bodies of different shapes and sizes, showing them to be equal in terms of sex appeal. “Self Portrait,” an acrylic painting by Erik Ryder, portrays a tattooed transgender man holding up the trans pride flag. “Elegance,” a photograph by Adam Bursack, depicts a beautiful black woman as a welcome subversion to the Eurocentric beauty norms that dominate American media.

In addition to the usual frames and canvases, this exhibition also displays some unusual art mediums. The best examples of this are the collages of Laura Forgie, who prints images on sheets of organza fabric, then embroiders them to highlight certain aspects of the images. Her pieces are entitled “Barely Legal” and “Sasha Grey & Deep Throat.”

The Red Raven will keep this display at least throughout the month of February. Their hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

Recently in:

By Laura Simmonslaurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu Dr. Stephen McDonough researched why North Dakota had the highest COVID death rate and cases in the fall of 2020. His investigation accumulated into a 1,000-plus page book titled…

By Michael M. Miller michael.miller@ndsu.eduOne of the most important books published about the Germans from Russia in North Dakota is “Along the Trails of Yesterday: A Story of McIntosh County” by Nina Farley Wishek, published…

photo credit: Jessica GavinSeptemberOktoberfest: Now-October 3Wurst Bier HallStein-holding competition, happy hour Mon-Fri from 4-6, wear your dirndl or lederhosen, German music.https://wurstfargo.com/Papa’s Pumpkin…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.comOur Opinion: Thank you, Reader readers, for 29 fulfilling yearsChugging along, The Little Newspaper That Could commences its 30th volume and year with this issue. Simply getting here speaks volumes. Just…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comEighty Million Eligible Voters Did Not Vote in the DSA in 2020. Why Not?In the first week of February, 2023, Deborah Daub, 59, shot and killed her husband James Daub, 62, Morgan Daub, their…

We are looking for 55-gallon plastic food grade barrels, do you have ideas or connections?We use these barrels to teach our resilient yard workshop series including Make Your Own Rain Barrel and Make Your Own Compost Tumbler. If…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.comMy new venture as a master’s degree student has got me thinking…again about food. Although I’m in an online program with the University of North Dakota, I thought it would be handy to list and…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comThe Melvins formed in 1983 Montesano, Washington, founded by singer/guitar player Buzz Osborne. The group is known for its heavy sound mixed with a dose of punk, forming its own subgenre.…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comFilmmaker Jacqueline Castel’s “My Animal” premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in January, but its vibes are better suited to the rising blood moon of autumn’s spooky season. Now…

By HPR Staffsubmit@hpr1.comThe Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists’ much-lauded neighbor lovin’ Studio Crawl is just around the corner – October 7 and 8, noon to 6pm. During the free event, the people who add culture and vibrancy…

By Eric Dallmanericd@hpr1.comWe recently watched “The PROM” at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and it was an experience that left a lasting impact on us. The story, a heartwarming yet familiar one, follows a group of Broadway stars…

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 John Showalter  john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…

JANUARY 19, 1967– MARCH 8, 2023 Brittney Leigh Goodman, 56, of Fargo, N.D., passed away unexpectedly at her home on March 8, 2023. Brittney was born January 19, 1967, to Ruth Wilson Pollock and Donald Ray Goodman, in Hardinsburg,…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com On the first day of the month I ask people to thank a journalist they know or someone who contributes to papers in some meaningful way. When I grew up, my best friend's father was a journalist…