Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Local designers collaborate to create Fargo tribute

Arts | February 15th, 2017

Before Dak the Bison was adorning the walls of local shops, he was a rough sketch on a pad of paper. Kayla Cote van Rensburg, a designer who started Cote Creative LLC, was brainstorming her next piece. As a Minot native who moved to Fargo and fell in love, she wanted it to be an elegant homage to her new home.

So, she took the most Fargo thing she could think of -- a picture of a Bison -- and designed the word “Fargo” to fill the shape. It worked.

“I just had that good gut feeling that I was onto something,” Cote van Rensburg said.

The bison design, christened “Dak” by a Facebook name contest, now needed a way to come to life. Inspiration hit when Cote van Rensburg saw a steel-wood composition done by Grain Designs.

Grain Designs is a local company that specializes in reclaimed wood furniture, home goods and art. Grant Koenig of the Grain Designs team said they have been recently looking to collaborate with other local artists.

“This community has so much talent,” Koenig said. “The more we can help get that out, the better.”

When Cote van Rensburg approached them with Dak the Bison design, they saw it as the perfect ode to Fargo. The challenge, then, was turning a 2D design into a 3D composition. What resulted was a multi-dimensional art piece made of hot rolled steel and reclaimed cedar with a white wash.

Both Cote van Rensburg and Grain Designs expressed that as artists in different mediums, collaboration is a perfect opportunity for growth. And, they added, the Fargo community is a particularly friendly place to build those collaborations.

“It’s the creative exploration,” said Grain Designs’ Blain Mikkonen. “You grow whenever you have conversation with other artists in the community.”

Dak made his first debut at Altaire Medical Spa, after owner Rick Schue fell in love with the piece. He had the first and largest Dak the Bison installed in the entryway of their new company building, which was built last September. Other local artists, such as Dan Francis Photography, decorate the walls of the spa.

“People here sometimes think that they have to go a special place to buy quality art,” Schue said. “But local talent is amazing.” He and Cote van Rensburg share a similar dream to support local art. As Cote van Rensburg continues to build her studio and make a life in Fargo, the success of Dak the Bison has only inspired her to continue in that mission. “I want to fill the walls of Fargo with good design,” she said.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakotans will take part in a nationwide civil rights rally on Thursday, July 17. Protests, marches, rallies and acts of service are scheduled in Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake,…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

July 18-19, 25-26 and August 2-3North Dakota Horse Park, 5180 19th Ave. N., FargoLadies and gentlemen, prepare to place your bets — racing season is upon us! Not just horses will be racing this year; word on the street suggests…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhy doesn’t the world require politicians to leave office at 60?Most of the leaders of countries, whether gods, fascists, democrats or socialists, are not doing very well these days. David Van…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung Wing, North Dakota is a town of 132 located about an hour northwest of Bismarck on Highway 36. There’s a shiny new Cenex on the intersection of the highway and the high…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

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…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…