Tracker Pixel for Entry

Plains Art Museum: 23rd Annual Spring Gala

Arts | May 1st, 2019

Art by Punchgut, design by Raul Gomez

The Plains Art Museum is ready to take you back in time – or forward, if you prefer – for their 23rd annual Spring Gala. The theme for this year’s event, which takes place on Friday, May 3, is Time Machine.

The Spring Gala is the museum’s biggest fundraising event every year. It will include a silent auction, music from Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome, who will take the stage at 9 p.m., and food catering from Urban Foods, Chef’s Table Catering, Concordia, and Nichole’s Fine Pastry. The area’s largest wine tasting will happen from 7 to 9 p.m. with wine provided by Happy Harry’s.

To liven things up even more, the Plains Art Museum stepped up their game and brought in a few extras.

“We’re going to have a couple pinball machines from Fargo Pinball set up, and we will have a DeLorean outside to take pictures next to,” Jacobson said.

Ashley Kunz, Come Away With Me, 2019, Acrylics, inks, aerosols on canvas

Live Wire will be taking care of the sound and lighting, which Jacobson said is a huge deal. “It wouldn’t look nearly as good if we didn’t have Live Wire involved,” he said.

They are also bringing dancing from Red River Dance Company to this year’s event.

“There is going to be a dance spectacle during the gala,” Jacobson said. “We’re not sure exactly what it’s going to be, but they will be doing some performances here and there – not a set thing that people watch, but they’ll be set up through the museum.”

The entertainment, food, and wine tasting are all included in the price of the ticket. There will be a hard bar where attendees can buy drinks other than wine. A photo booth will be set up as well.

Hillary Kempenich, Self Preservation, 2018, Acrylic on canvas

Generally, the Plains Art Museum tries to theme the gala around an exhibition on display.

“Last year, we did a black and white theme,” Jacobson said. “The year before that, we did a garden theme. We’ve done a hat theme where people wear different hats. We did one with masks. We did one kind of similar to this called ‘1976’ in 2006. In the past, we’ve tried to theme them around exhibitions.”

I AM STILL HERE, 2018, Mixed media on wood panel

So, how about this year?

“This year, we do have a show by Zoren Mojsilov, called ‘Time Machine’” Jacobson said. “That’s kind of where we got the name idea from, but it’s not really based around his show.”

While it is not required, attendees are encouraged to wear attire from their favorite time period, be it bell bottoms and flower-pattern button-ups from the 1970s or a futuristic fashion yet to be discovered.

“We’re asking people – not necessary, but if you could dress up from whatever time period,” said Cody Jacobson, Graphics and Communication Manager for the Plains Art Museum. “You could be from Shakespeare to Marilyn Monroe, or if you want to be futuristic, you can go there.”

Les Skoropat, Fine Art The Tip, 2019, Borderless vinyl banner print

The museum is working with artists for the silent auction to raise money. Jacobson said there will be 76 pieces up for auction from 73 local and national artists. The artists range from up and comers to those who are more established.

The artists who bring art for auction split the sale with the museum. Jacobson said the artists will donate anywhere from a quarter to 100 percent of their sale, but he said most split 50/50 with the museum.

As for what people can expect to pay for art they bid on, Jacobson said it depends on the piece and that bidding starts at a set percent of each piece’s value.

Monte Yellow Bird, Prairie Buffalo Hunter, India ink, colored pencil on an antique Assessment Role School District, Silver Bow County, Montana, c. 1890s, Philadelphia general store ledger

“It’s 60 percent of the value price,” Jacobson said of the starting bid. “For example, this piece by Anna Haglin, the value is $450 and the minimum bid would be $270.”

The list of artists includes Anna Haglin, Walter Piehl, Ellen Dietrich, Dan Francis, Wayne Gudmundson, Linda Whitney, and Meg Spielman Peldo.

“We have quite a few from Minneapolis area,” Jacobson said. “One in particular is Robert Whitman. He’s actually lived in New York the last couple years. He got to photograph Prince before Prince was anything. This is the third year we’ve had him. This photograph is from 1977 and it’s a picture of Prince in his mother’s dining room with a guitar. He’s got a big afro and everything. I don’t think this one has ever really been published. It also comes with a really nice book that also has another print inside of it.”

Troy Becker, End of Season, 2016, Screenprint

People wishing to make bids during the auction can do so on their phones.

“You do the bidding all on your phone,” Jacobson said. “When you register for a ticket, you also register to bid at the same time. That’s all done through your phone. You’ll get an email and then you just follow the links. It goes to a website.”

Jacobson said bidding goes on until 10:30 p.m. After that, winners will be sent a notification to their phone and will be able to purchase their piece at around 11:00 p.m.

For those who would like to come and are wondering what they can expect, Jacobson offered this description –

“It’s kind of like a big cocktail party, is kind of how I put it,” he said. “It seems like a lot of people just hang out, eat and drink, and are talking. Later in the night, when the music starts, people start dancing. It’s casual as far as that. There’s no set regiment of, ‘you’ve got to be here at this time,’ except the auction ends at 10:30.”

Jacobson also mentioned a change to this year’s Spring Gala that he wants attendees to take note of.

Walter Piehl, T. Roosevelt, 1970, Etching

“This is the first time that we’ve done it on a Friday,” Jacobson said. “We’ve always done it on Saturdays before. We had comments and wanted to try things out, so we’re going to try it out this year.”

Plains Art Museum’s Spring Gala: Time Machine is going to once again be one of the year’s best events. It will have everything. Including that DeLorean. How did that come about, anyway?

“It actually came because I remembered that High Plains Reader did a cover with some Back to the Future thing years ago,” Jacobson said. “I’m friends with Jay Miller, so I contacted him and was like, ‘Where’d you guys get the DeLorean?’ I’d seen one in town, here. He got me in touch with Dan Francis that shot the photo because he knew the lady that owned it.

“It’s a local woman. I got her number. It was actually her husband’s. He had bought it years ago. He has since passed away, but she still has the DeLorean. We called her up and just asked, ‘Can we have it outside?’ She was more than happy to let us do that.”

IF YOU GO:

Plains Art Museum Spring Gala: Time Machine

Friday, May 3, 7 p.m.

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

Recently in:

MayFargo MarathonNow - May 20Youth run Thursday, 5K Friday night, 10K, half and full marathon, entertainment along route on Saturday. fargomarathon.comKids to Park DayMay 20Bring the kids to Theault Farm in Fargo for crafts,…

By John Showalter john.d.showalter@gmail.comHuman rights is a subject that often comes up in the media. One has only to tune in to any of the major news broadcasters to hear heated debate and discussion regarding the treatment of…

Event by Moorhead Parks & Recreation and Swing Barrel Brewing Company, LLCW. H. Davy Memorial Park, 1st Ave & 8th St N, MoorheadTuesday, June 27, 5:30-8pmThe Gina Powers Band + Petting ZooHeather & Thistle Pipes and DrumsArt…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comOur opinion: Keep your chins up, class of 2023As the school year draws to a close, this seems to be the time of year when most editors offer up their best advice to the most recent graduating…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comCan Someone Tell Me Why Sneakers Sell for $1.5 to $2.2 Million a Pair? It has to be something other than quality. I shop for used books in thrift stores because I have discovered thick books given…

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.comSpring has finally sprung. It’s time to bounce out of the house and try a few new places to eat. Let’s explore what restaurants are trending on the Fargo-Moorhead Eats Facebook page. With nearly…

Event information provided by Morgan Thompson, Marketing and Sales Associate, FARGODOMEMThompson@fargodome.comIt’s the official kickoff of summer, and the return of the best BBQ around and look who’s going to be there! Getting…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comUntil I saw “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” I really thought the cinematic expression of the multiverse concept had peaked with the triumphant Best Picture Academy Award for…

Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead  April 25, 3:30-7:30pmPaint a rock, make a stranger smile and be a part of the movement! Keep your rock or add it to the pile to be labeled, sealed and…

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 Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comSpring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer. Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just…

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

By Traci Sethre  traci.sethre@gmail.comAn integral piece of fencing is your mask. Its integrity keeps you safe. It’s typically painted black to hide your face…

By Ken and Alice Christiansonsubmit@hpr1.com HB 1332 is currently before the North Dakota legislature. The bill proposes to permit social workers to use a discredited treatment method to convert the sexual orientation of gay and…