Archive for the ‘Special Events’ Category
We’re taking some credit for the lack of snow
Part of the concept drawing for "Lucent Gale", the second-place proposal for the Winter Wonderland competition, by Drew Holmgren, Collin Johnson, and Tali Johnson.
We issued a press release yesterday with an update on Winter Wonderland, a winter Defiant Gardens project. For the project, we joined forces with artist, and NDSU assistant professor of landscape architecture, Stevie Famulari, and the NDSU Memorial Union Gallery to hold a juried display of snow sculptures the first week of February.
At least, we’d planned to do that. In case you haven’t noticed how limber your back feels from lack of shoveling, we don’t have enough snow for the designers to build the structures. So, the decision was made to cancel the event. On the one hand, it’s a shame that we’re unable to present this fun, winter-only spectacle … but on the other hand, we’re going to take a little credit for that limber back. From the release:
“We think that this project shows the power of art to not just change lives but to change the weather,” said Colleen Sheehy, director and CEO of the Museum. “The mere planning and organizing of ‘Winter Wonderland’ overturned weather predictions that promised a very snowy winter caused by El Nina, and produced the snowless, warm season we’ve enjoyed this year. That was an inadvertent impact of this project.”
…
“Our arts community, in preparation for toughing out our typically intense January and February temperatures and snow in a creative way, would like to take credit for our lack of snow by simply planning this event,” Famulari said.
Of course, we say all this with tongue in cheek; the lack of snow has derailed a lot of cold-snubbing fun in our area. The St. Paul Winter Carnival also cancelled its snow sculpture competition and the Beargrease Sled Dog Race, another regional favorite, also had to cancel this year’s event. All of these represent a dint in our respective economies and deprive us all of a needed reprieve from the winter doldrums.
You can, at the very least, see the designs that were meant to be part of Winter Wonderland. They’ll be on display at the Memorial Union Gallery January 12 – 26 and here at the Museum February 3 – 12.
A peek at Sodbuster
We’re getting ready to host tonight’s Sodbuster Summit in just a few minutes (here’s a refresher on the Sodbuster issue, if you need one). We’ll have a quick recap of the meeting on the blog tomorrow, but in the meantime, here are a few photos of Sodbuster in storage at the Museum so you can get an idea of the sculpture’s current condition.
In the photo above, you get a sense of the enormity of this piece as well as a sense of its power and grandeur, but in the photo below, you can also see the severity of the damage to it.
In some spots along Sodbuster, you can see exposed fiberglass where the elements have eaten through the finish. On closer inspection, you can also see cracks and even holes in the fiberglass itself. While the piece is largely intact, these aren’t just cosmetic issues. They compromise the integrity of the entire sculpture.
Sodbuster embodies the hard work and tenacity of the people who settled this region of the country, and it might as well represent the effort it will likely take to get Sodbuster back on its feet. For the sake of this beautiful work of art, let’s hope tonight’s summit will be the first step along that path.
A Three-Ring Circus
This past Sunday, we had a rollicking opening reception for our new exhibition See Acts of Audacious Daring: The Circus World of Judy Onofrio. Hundreds showed up to see this incredible exhibition for the first time, eat circus food, and enjoy a magic show, balloon animals, and face painting. Our staff and volunteers got decked out in clown costumes, plus a stilt walker and acrobats entertained the crowd. It probably goes without saying, but it was a lot of fun.
Big thanks to Dave “The Bulldog” Arntson at Milestones Photography for the photos. Click the thumbnails for a larger picture and more information.
Ramp Jam at the Plains Recap
On July 16, Plains Art Museum held it’s first ever Ramp Jam at the Plains. Even though the temperature reached 100 degrees, it didn’t detour over 300 people to check it out. Guests enjoyed the talent of some of the best skaters and bikers in the area, a free product toss, and emcees Kipp G and Tony the Butcher. Some of the skateboarders are featured in Thomas Rex Kemmer: Local Spots photography exhibit going on through August 28.
Thank you to Scott Alher who made this video. Click here to view.
Ramp Jam at the Plains was supported in part by: THIS Skate and Snow, Turman & Lang, Ltd., Bumbershut, Fargo Billiards, 12th Avenue Garage, Empire Tavern, Red Raven, Revolver, Ink by Noodle, Discontent, The High 5, Bertrosa’s Cafe, John E. Haggart, Laser Systems, MOM.
Bike Jamboree Today!
We like bikes!
This evening the Museum along with Great Northern Bicycle Co. and the FM Community Bike Workshop will present the Bike Jamboree, a heavy dose of bike and art love. Here’s a rundown of what’s going on:
5:30 p.m.
The Jamboree will kick off with a variety of activities taking place in our atrium and parking lot. In the atrium, we’ll have an activity session for creating your own spoke cards. We’ll also have cupcakes courtesy of The Baking Cup (whose fine desserts are featured in GNBC’s Clock Tower Cafe) and other refreshments. Outside, we’ll be making a BIG collaborative work of art using bikes, plus we’ll have a spot where you can decorate your bike and have it checked for safety. For the competitive, a gold sprint station will be set up to allow you to try for your best bike time. We’ll have tunes outside, too, so maybe there’s a bike dance party?
7:30 p.m.
After it cools down, we’ll gather a group together, get on our bikes, and go for a cruise through downtown for a tour of public and street art. Joining us will be artist Paul Ide, whose aerosol murals are a fixture in downtown, and new Museum curator Megan Johnston, who will provide us with interpretation and get some dialogue going. After the ride (it should take around an hour), we’ll stop at Red Raven Espresso Parlor for some refreshing lemonade. (You must sign a waiver to take the ride.)
10 p.m.
Later on, we’ll all meet back at the Museum parking lot for an off-the-grid screening of a gripping tale of bike larceny and the ensuing adventure of a modern-day hero: “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” powered entirely by a five-person bicycle, The Mighty Quinn. Free popcorn! Please bring a lawn chair or blanket, if possible. And, although the movie is free for all ages, we ask that those 16 and younger be accompanied by an adult.
Whew! It’s going to be fun – and we’ll all get a little workout, too. Hope to see you there!
(UPDATE) Also, a big thanks to our sponsors for this event: Gate City Bank, Milestones Photography, and Spicy Pie!
Hot Weekend, Cool Events: HHDS3 and Ramp Jam at the Plains
Hip Hop Don't Stop 3 Mural - Arctic Audio on 8th St. South in Fargo.
Hip Hop Don't Stop 3 mural logo - these penguins have no problem staying cool!
Downtown Fargo’s scenery is always evolving, and after last weekend, it has a bit more color thanks to the great new mural on the Arctic Audio building on 8th Street South. This mural is the product of the third installment of Hip Hop Don’t Stop, a collaborative mural painting project co-presented by Plains Art Museum and Idehaus. HHDS3 brought together artist Paul Ide and other Midwest premier street artists; STUN, EACH2, TOIL and JAPL to create the mural, Friday through Monday, while enjoying the cool beats of local DJ’s and hip-hop artists. Check out more of Ide’s work throughout downtown at the Gasper’s School of Dance and Performing Arts, Roberts Street Studio and behind Art Materials on Broadway.
As part of the Downtown Street Fair, the Museum presented Ramp Jam at the Plains Saturday afternoon – ramps were erected in front of the Museum for skateboarders, bikes, and inline skates. “The community support we saw on Saturday was great. Loads of people from the Street Fair stopped by to check out the action, even in the heat,” Museum Graphics Director Cody Jacobson said. Maybe it was the free hot dogs or This Skate and Snow merch giveaways, but skaters of all ages came out to show off their moves on the ramps.
Skateboarder Eric Hanson jumps a gap at the Ramp Jam.
Kids beat the heat at the Ramp Jam with fun water toys.
If you missed any of the action, check out the Museum Flickr page for more photos or come visit the Museum and check out Tom Kemmer’s skateboarding photography and videography, Local Spots, which is currently on display in the Xcel and Serkland Law Galleries. Haven’t had enough of all things speedy on wheels? Join us August 18 for Bike Jamboree + Bike-In Movie Night for fun with a bicycle art project, bike tour of public art downtown, and an outdoor screening of “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” powered by The Mighty Quinn, a five-person bicycle! Donations are still needed for this event, please head over to the Events Page to learn more.
Notes from the CCLI Informational Meeting
A couple weeks ago, the Museum hosted an informational meeting regarding the Creative Community Leadership Institute (CCLI), a program administered by Intermedia Arts, a Minneapolis-based multidisciplinary organization whose goal is to foster community growth through the arts. CCLI provides its attendees with comprehensive, professional-level training and support for local community-engaged artists and community developers. A CCLI session is coming to Fargo next spring.
In his presentation to the two dozen or so in attendance, CCLI faculty member Bill Cleveland stressed that communities in the 21st century require creativity in order to survive and be sustainable. Further, arts and community leaders must be at the table in order for broad initiatives to succeed. CCLI provides those people with the tools and relationships within their respective communities to ensure that community initiatives do, indeed, work. In the Twin Cities, dozens of CCLI alumni form a core group of active community artists, organizers, and developers who have this understanding and this vital skill set in place.
- Curious about CCLI? Please consider applying if you want to improve the community and already have active community relationships, have experience in community organizing, or work in the economic development, health care, or education sectors. Also, be prepared to work: CCLI demands a commitment 100+ total hours over the course of 4 – 5 months and requires plenty of research, writing and research. At the same time, sessions are plenty of fun and use active arts-based learning (singing, dancing, etc.) in addition to rigorous study.
- Want to learn more? Click to download a CCLI Info Sheet (PDF).
If you’d like to keep up with CCLI plans as they progress, email me at kkerzman@plainsart.org and I’ll add your name to an email update list for future informational meetings.
Masquerade Madness!
Our 15th Annual Spring Gala has officially come and gone and, boy, was it a doozy. So many masks! And not only were there so many masks, but there were so many creative masks … and costumes! Many of you opted for handmade, and more than a few were quite elaborate. And that, frankly, is awesome. Thanks so much to those who attended and joined in the fun. The Gala was a roaring success both as a party and as a fundraiser. We appreciate the chance to throw such a great shindig and thank you, again, for your support of the Museum.
Below is a selection of photographs from the evening courtesy of our good friends at Milestones Photography. You can find more photos on the Milestones blogsite and tag-able photos on the Milestones Facebook page, and you can order prints from Milestones here.
Were you at the Gala? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
What to Expect at the Spring Gala
Our 15th Annual Spring Gala, “Masterpiece Masquerade“, is just a couple weeks away. We’re putting on the finishing touches as we speak and gearing up for what should be quite the evening of spectacle. If you’re attending, or thinking of attending, here’s a handy dandy guide to help you familiarize yourself with this fantastic event.
This year’s event is called “Masterpiece Masquerade.” What does that mean?
That means it’s a masquerade party, which means we’d love it if you showed up in a mask and costume, or just a mask. This isn’t a new idea, of course; masquerade balls have been around for a long, long time. But, this isn’t quite a masquerade “ball” either. It’s a party. And that means we encourage creativity with your getups.
We’ll have a few masks on hand in case you forget one. Also, don’t feel like you need to wear a costume or mask. It’s all good.
I really want to wear a mask … but where do I get one?
Gompf Displays in Fargo carries a lot of masks. There are also plenty of options online. Masks, especially the masquerade variety, aren’t that hard to make. Here are a few resources online for creating your own. And, why not be imaginative? Grab some poster board or cardstock and just start cutting away. It’s all in good fun.
What else is there to do at the Gala?
Eat, drink, listen to music, dance, and ogle at art! Our friends at Mosaic Foods have prepared quite the menu of heavy appetizers, including a pork loin carving station, a beef rib eye carving station, miniature cheeseburgers, candied bacon, jerk-marinated shrimp skewers, and lots more. Happy Harry’s will provide plenty of wine for tasting. Nichole’s Fine Pastry will present some of the best desserts in town, while Moxie Java will provide coffee, everyone’s best friend. The Sidestreet will also be slinging drinks. On top of all of that, Swing Motion will play jazz on the first floor during the early evening and Betty Does will rock the 3rd floor until late.
Last, but certainly not least, is your opportunity to check out our silent auction of art on the second floor. We have a strong lineup of work from regional artists sure to compliment (or begin) your art collection.
Who will I see at the Gala?
Many types of people; young and old, artists, business and community leaders, art enthusiasts, art supporters, and those that just like a good social event. And, each one of them is unwavering in their support of the Museum.
All right, I’m convinced. How do I get tickets?
You didn’t answer my question.
If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments or email me (Kris) at kkerzman@plainsart.org. I’d be happy to help.
Kids Get Into Mask-Making Action
The excitement is building for our 15th Annual Spring Gala, “Masterpiece Masquerade,” to be held on May 7. Tickets are selling fast and we’re expecting a superb evening of masks, costumes, and the celebration of art, all to help benefit our arts education programs.
In anticipation of this evening, we asked the kids at our last Kid Quest event to help us out with the decorations for Gala night . As you can see from the photos below, their response was outstanding. Several dozen of these designs will be hung around the Museum to set the mood for a really fun masquerade party.
If you’re planning on attending the Gala, consider making your own mask (if you choose to wear one … you don’t have to). You’ll get the opportunity to flex your creative muscle and you’ll end up with a look for Gala night that will be all your own.
Are you excited for Gala night? What are your plans for a mask/costume?
