​Big plans and a nightmare to remember at the Plains

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, guests are encouraged to reimagine their interpretation of nightmares, whether you opt for the grotesque, the occult or the surreal. Or you can go casual — no pressure.

Tarot reader,Hexe Hilde will be onsite and the curatorial team will facilitate an “exquisite corpse” activity. Don’t let the name fool you — it’s a surrealist drawing game. Japanese outreach initiative coordinator Mika Usuki will coordinate an interactive activity that focuses on and explores folklore surrounding nightmares in Japan.

Be sure to polish up those dancing shoes, DJ Oor — the two headed alien DJ — will play an out of this world set. (Don’t worry MUFON, they’re a dual DJ set.) There will be a photo booth available throughout the evening to document a night well spent and that epic fit.

The Plains Art Gala also features one of the area’s largest wine tastings courtesy of Happy Harry’s, delectable vittles from Chef’s Table, Urban Foods and Brew Catering. Nichole’s Fine Pastry will be providing desserts, all on theme. And in the true spirit of creative collaboration, The Plains Art Museum and Drekker worked together to dream up a special lager for the occasion; the label features a piece from Star Wallowing Bull from the permanent collection.

There will also be selected pieces from the permanent collection in the Excel Gallery that fit in with the theme of the evening as well. An “Artists’ Power Hour” within the gallery allows artists and guests to mingle, artists talk about their work and guests can feel free to ask the artists questions. During the gala, Plains Art Museum Executive Director Erin Shapiro will also tell guests more about a major upcoming project.

“We're also doing an open call for fundraising for folks who are interested in helping to support the collections renovation and expansion, too,” Shapiro said. “So this is a public appeal for those who are interested in being part of the journey for the collections expansion as well. I'll be sharing some more visuals about what the new space will look like, and just the future of Plains Art Museum and the work we're doing in that capacity.”

In addition to the gala, there’s a lot brewing at the Plains

April 16 marked a members-only auction preview, with over 90 works on view. Not only will members have a chance to bid early, but they will also have the opportunity to hear a few artists speak about their work.

“We actually had the most submissions from artists that we've ever had,” Plains Executive Director Erin Shapiro. “So it was a very competitive, juried exhibition, with a lot of really phenomenal work.”

Guests at the April 16 preview also enjoyed a tour of the permanent collection, which contains over six thousand works of art. Shapiro added, “We're actually breaking ground this June, so this summer, on a major renovation and expansion of the permanent collection facility."

This preview and Shapiro’s talk at the gala provide attendees with a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the museum and a hint at what’s to come.

IF YOU GO:

Spring Gala: A Nightmare at the Museum

Saturday, May 2, 7 p.m.

Plains Art Museum, 704 1st Ave. N., Fargo

For tickets: tinyurl.com/2fvs6mt3

Reach Editor Sabrina Hornung at sabrina@hpr1.com.