Talks and Screenings

Join Danielle Gravon and Kelvin Monroe for an engaging discussion on Alfred Conteh’s Malik and Marquis, on loan from Art Bridges and newly reinstalled in a pop up gallery located on the first floor. This Artside Chat explores the layered dialogues between Conteh’s evocative painting and Powell’s architectural legacy, creating an exhibition-within-an-exhibition that examines themes of space, structural dynamics, and the role of architecture shaping the way we experience space. Reflecting on how Conteh’s work transforms the gallery into a contemplative space, this discussion highlights the intersection of art, architecture, and dynamic structural inequalities occurring within the built environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to investigate the dynamic interplay of these powerful works.

Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges.

This exciting event highlights Anne Labovitz’s exhibition, featuring time with the artist, guided tours, and interactive activities. Explore community resources centered on health, wellness, mindfulness, and well-being, enjoy make-and-take art activities, and connect with others through networking opportunities. Food will be available for purchase, and the day will culminate with a dynamic panel discussion featuring Anne Labovitz and notable health professionals, exploring the intersection of creativity and wellness. Stay tuned for more details—don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate the power of art and well-being!

Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges. This project is supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

April 10: The Healing by Gayl Jones

Plains Art Museum invites you to join the seventh (7th) iteration of Critical Grooves Book Lab, where we explore four extraordinary books through the lens of art, culture, and social reflection, and their linkages to the museum’s current exhibitions. Ages 16+ are welcomed, FREE.

We begin with Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns, which chronicles the Great Migration and resonates with Anne Labovitz’s exhibition exploring themes of well-being, resilience, and connection. We then move onto Percival Everett’s So Much Blue—a richly layered novel about an artist navigating memory, secrecy, and creativity—which creates a dynamic dialogue with Don Powell’s A Little Grey for Color, examining the emotional resonance of design and architecture. Gayl Jones’s The Healing, a lyrical tale of reclamation and transformation through a mysterious faith healer, converges with the energy of Jaque Fragua’s Ghost Writing, where layered expressions of history and spirituality unfold. Finally, we close with Richard Wright’s Native Son, a searing exploration of systemic inequality and structuring narratives in mid-20th century America, which powerfully aligns with Mickey Smith’s examination of history, text, and media in shaping public and private identities. Whether you’re new to these authors or revisiting their works, join us at Plains Art Museum for engaging discussions and reflections, with hot tea, hot chocolate, and/or your own snacks and beverages.

To encourage broad participation, you may acquire the selected texts through convenient means, as per your situation. Also note: Critical Grooves Book Lab selections will also be available for purchase from The Store at Plains Art Museum.

For more information and/or participation contact Dr. Kelvin Monroe kmonroe@plainsart.org.

May 8: Native Son by Richard Wright

Plains Art Museum invites you to join the eighth (8th) iteration of Critical Grooves Book Lab, where we explore four extraordinary books through the lens of art, culture, and social reflection, and their linkages to the museum’s current exhibitions. Ages 16+ are welcomed, FREE.

We begin with Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns, which chronicles the Great Migration and resonates with Anne Labovitz’s exhibition exploring themes of well-being, resilience, and connection. We then move onto Percival Everett’s So Much Blue—a richly layered novel about an artist navigating memory, secrecy, and creativity—which creates a dynamic dialogue with Don Powell’s A Little Grey for Color, examining the emotional resonance of design and architecture. Gayl Jones’s The Healing, a lyrical tale of reclamation and transformation through a mysterious faith healer, converges with the energy of Jaque Fragua’s Ghost Writing, where layered expressions of history and spirituality unfold. Finally, we close with Richard Wright’s Native Son, a searing exploration of systemic inequality and structuring narratives in mid-20th century America, which powerfully aligns with Mickey Smith’s examination of history, text, and media in shaping public and private identities. Whether you’re new to these authors or revisiting their works, join us at Plains Art Museum for engaging discussions and reflections, with hot tea, hot chocolate, and/or your own snacks and beverages.

To encourage broad participation, you may acquire the selected texts through convenient means, as per your situation. Also note: Critical Grooves Book Lab selections will also be available for purchase from The Store at Plains Art Museum.

For more information and/or participation contact Dr. Kelvin Monroe kmonroe@plainsart.org.

Step into the dynamic world of Jaque Fragua at the opening reception of Ghost Writing, a mid-career retrospective that bridges the past and present through a bold reimagining of Indigenous art and identity. Fragua, a contemporary artist from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, employs an array of media—digital painting, sculpture, installation, and public art—to challenge narratives, reclaim cultural iconography, and address critical issues faced by Indigenous communities today. Free with registration.