Tracker Pixel for Entry

​The education of a wandering girl

Editorial | August 19th, 2015

Dig into Pockets of culture

By Sabrina Hornung

At the beginning of the year I relocated to my hometown. I’m not gonna lie -- I felt pretty down and out, betrayed, heartbroken and downright disgusted. Everything I owned was hastily stored in my mom’s garage in no particular order. I found myself in Jamestown contemplating my life choices. Living out of a few boxes in my grandparents’ house and sharing my childhood bedroom with my two cats, “Lion King” sheets and twin-size canopy bed (minus the canopy).

I spent a lot of time bouncing between here, there, and everywhere in between, my Jetta became my mobile office and I had a lot of time to sort out my thoughts. One wouldn’t really think that 100 miles would make all that much of a difference in terms of ideas and social norms.

For example, I walked into an establishment in Buchanan, ND, and was greeted with a “BOY! You must be the most liberal person that’s ever set foot in here!” He claimed my cat eye glasses gave me away, wondered why I would even talk to an old Republican like himself and we made friends two-stepping around the pool table -- haven’t seen him since but won’t forget him anytime soon. He claims he’d never met an artist before … needless to say he probably already forgot about me.

From an artist's perspective I noticed that artists in Fargo identify themselves as "Fargo Artists," and those outside of Fargo identify themselves as "North Dakota Artists." I know points of cultural interest (in terms of art..every county seat seems to have a spectacular county museum) tend to be a bit more spread out because the population is so spread out, resulting in regional culture clusters. I usually try to enter a few pieces in the annual juried show in Jamestown and attend the opening if I am able. I’ve noticed people would drive from about a 60-mile radius for the opening a chance to experience regional art and to talk to other regional artists.

The art there was very regional, and everyone was supportive and proud of their art community. I really regret that I did not become more involved with the Art Center while I was there. I spent my weekends serving or slinging drinks at The Vets Club and my second haunt was The Alfred Dickey Public Library that proudly boasts that Louis L’amour spent a lot of time there too.

I used to think that "Fargo Artists" were in North Dakota denial. Though I do see people embracing their roots and heritage more and more. I had the opportunity to speak with Becky Dunham at The Plains Art Museum while interviewing her about pieces selected for the gala about a year ago, and she mentioned that the common theme in the works submitted was the regional subject matter.

Which does not mean that any other concept is moot -- it was my personal realization that maybe we are on the same page or at least we are in the same book, just a different chapter.

F-M residents are so fortunate to have institutions such as The Plains or The Rourke at our fingertips, and having coffee shops around every other corner with creatives of all ages surrounding them and people openly outing themselves as liberals.

This is why the term “Imperial Cass” and the “Paris of the prairie” is thrown around and into the wind.

Youth in smaller North Dakota towns graduate high school and dream big dreams of Fargo, and the youth of Fargo dream big dreams of Minneapolis. Do the kids that come back from Minneapolis bring back their own urban influence, or is it the country mouse who stays behind and dreams big dreams of the city?

No matter where we find our inspiration, I’ve found that the greatest part of being an artist in Fargo or an artist in the rest of greater North Dakota is that there are always new frontiers to explore and pockets of culture to dig into. It’s just a matter of where you look.

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comIt’s been eight years since the Water Protectors were cleared off the banks of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers. It was a bitter ending to a battle to protect the water; and for most of us…

By HPR Staff We’re all a part of building strong, healthy and inclusive communities. But the region’s non-profit organizations do a lot of the heavy lifting. Now it’s time for these organizations to step into the spotlight.…

Friday March 7, 8 p.m.The Aquarium, 226 N. Broadway, FargoDJs and drummer teams compete head to head and have the opportunity to compete for the national championships in November. DJs are judged on performance and creativity.…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com 2025 marks us halfway through the roaring 2020s. Boy, am I glad I didn’t bob my hair for this go-around. It feels like we’re off to the wrong roar, opening Pandora’s box of what-the-Fox…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comLennon: “Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can!”On January 8, 2025, Timothy W. Rybeck of “The Atlantic" magazine published “How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days” with the…

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 Gionrickgion@gmail.com As a food enthusiast, there’s nothing better than attending a local event featuring hotdish. And as far as hotdish events go, no place does it better than the fine folks at Brewhalla and Drekker…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Of the sixteen features I saw during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, none left as big an impression as filmmaker/artist Kahlil Joseph’s astonishing “BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions.”…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Everyone has heard the adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” However, it is safe to say there are far more than a thousand in Mickey Smith’s photographs. When one hears…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

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 Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com On Dec 5, the Turning Point USA chapter at North Dakota State University hosted an event called BisonFest. This event featured Chloe Cole, a former trans kid, known for detransitioning and…

By Gilbert Kuipersgilbertkuipers@outlook.com I live in North Dakota District 24 and have been challenging the district Republicans about their understanding of climate science for years. There has been no serious response to my…