Current Events

Critical Grooves Book Lab

October 10, 2024 - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Critical Grooves Book Lab

Select Thursdays, 6:30-8 PM, Free

  • September 12: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
  • October 10: Palace of the Peacock by Wilson Harris
  • November 14: The Autobiography of my Mother by Jamaica Kincaid
  • December 12: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Plains Art Museum’s announces its sixth iteration of Critical Grooves Book Lab. Ages 16+ are welcomed, FREE.

For our sixth (6th) session (Fall–Winter ’24), we will read four lesser-known writers who will productively intersect with the museum’s scheduled exhibitions during Fall – Winter 2024. We begin with Ocean Vuong’s award-winning novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, to intersect with the Thomas-Suwall collection on exhibition in Full Disclosure. From there, we move on to Wilson Harris’s Palace of the Peacock to discuss aspects of the novel’s convergence with A Little Grey for Color. Then, Jamaica Kincaid’s The Autobiography of My Mother provides important context for a robust discussion of several past and upcoming exhibitions in our Starion Gallery. Finally, Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower (a speculative fiction novel set in 2024) captures the perils of climate change, the disparities within human rights, and the struggle for sovereignty—issues found in the upcoming exhibition, Water Talks.

If this assemblage of lesser-known writers sounds compelling, then please join us at Plains Art Museum on the select dates below. We offer an array of hot teas and hot chocolate. However, feel free to bring your own beverages/snacks, as well.

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.

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Kid Quest: Printober

October 13, 2024 - 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Kid Quest: Printober

We are kicking off with a print party! Come learn about different printing techniques in the galleries. Then, head to the studio to screen print an item of your own. Bring a T-shirt, bandana, or tote bag. We will use black fabric ink so make sure your item is a white, solid colored, or tie-dyed piece of fabric. Free with registration.

Kid Quest is made possible with funding from Xcel Energy Foundation and Kiwanis Club of Fargo.

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Artside Chats

October 24, 2024 - 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Artside Chats

Select Thursdays, October 24, November 21, December 19, 6-7 PM, Free
Exhibition: A Little Grey for Color

Once a month, on select Thursdays, join us in an artistic setting, for an intimate chat between curatorial department members, educational department members, our Director/CEO, and guest artists for what we call an Artside Chat. This intimate format allows for deeper discussion about studio processes, the intent behind an artwork, and the broader social and cultural implications of works of art. These chats are intended as a safe space to facilitate wide ranging dialogues on contemporary issues, and respect and represent a broad range of diverse creative practices. Sometimes, we invite the opportunity to learn and understand something about the thinking that goes into what we do here at Plains Art Museum. We do not shy away from tough, thorny topics; also, we can do deep dives on topics when necessary in order to respect and represent a broad range of diverse creative practices.

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Curator-led Gallery Tours

November 7, 2024 - 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm
Curator-led Gallery Tours

Select Thursdays, October 3, November 7, December 5, 6-6:45 PM
Exhibition: Water Talks

Have you ever wanted to explore further certain themes or concepts related to our exhibitions? If so, then join a member of our curatorial staff select Thursdays for a themed-tour about an aspect of the art, the artist(s), an exhibition, or our permanent collection. Also, these tours can be designed and tailored to fit special requests, with six-weeks advanced notice, please. Free.

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Gallery Tours

November 12, 2024 - 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm
Gallery Tours

Select Tuesdays, October 8, November 12, December 10, 1-1:45 PM, Free
Exhibition: A Little Grey For Color

Looking for a good place to start your museum visit? Join a knowledgeable guide from the museum for a tour of our current exhibitions with a deeper look at key objects on display from our current exhibitions. During this participatory and collective experience. You’ll also have a chance to connect and share your ideas with fellow visitors. Most tours are about 45 minutes.

View Event

Critical Grooves Book Lab

November 14, 2024 - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Critical Grooves Book Lab

Select Thursdays, 6:30-8 PM, Free

  • September 12: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
  • October 10: Palace of the Peacock by Wilson Harris
  • November 14: The Autobiography of my Mother by Jamaica Kincaid
  • December 12: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Plains Art Museum’s announces its sixth iteration of Critical Grooves Book Lab. Ages 16+ are welcomed, FREE.

For our sixth (6th) session (Fall–Winter ’24), we will read four lesser-known writers who will productively intersect with the museum’s scheduled exhibitions during Fall – Winter 2024. We begin with Ocean Vuong’s award-winning novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, to intersect with the Thomas-Suwall collection on exhibition in Full Disclosure. From there, we move on to Wilson Harris’s Palace of the Peacock to discuss aspects of the novel’s convergence with A Little Grey for Color. Then, Jamaica Kincaid’s The Autobiography of My Mother provides important context for a robust discussion of several past and upcoming exhibitions in our Starion Gallery. Finally, Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower (a speculative fiction novel set in 2024) captures the perils of climate change, the disparities within human rights, and the struggle for sovereignty—issues found in the upcoming exhibition, Water Talks.

If this assemblage of lesser-known writers sounds compelling, then please join us at Plains Art Museum on the select dates below. We offer an array of hot teas and hot chocolate. However, feel free to bring your own beverages/snacks, as well.

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.

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Convergence: Health & Creativity: Opening Reception

November 16, 2024 - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Convergence: Health & Creativity: Opening Reception

Artist remarks at 7 PM

Please join us to celebrate the opening of Anne Labovitz’ newest artworks, inspired by her conversations with Fargo Moorhead community members. Featuring a large-scale, site-specific, installation in the museum’s Ruth and Seymoure Landfield Atrium and an immersive exhibition in our William and Anna Jane Schlossman Gallery, Anne’s work will inspire, connect, and delight. There will be light refreshments, cash bar, live music, and the opportunity to meet the artist. Free.

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Artside Chats

November 21, 2024 - 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Artside Chats

Select Thursdays, October 24, November 21, December 19, 6-7 PM, Free
Exhibition: Eerie Selections From the Collection

Once a month, on select Thursdays, join us in an artistic setting, for an intimate chat between curatorial department members, educational department members, our Director/CEO, and guest artists for what we call an Artside Chat. This intimate format allows for deeper discussion about studio processes, the intent behind an artwork, and the broader social and cultural implications of works of art. These chats are intended as a safe space to facilitate wide ranging dialogues on contemporary issues, and respect and represent a broad range of diverse creative practices. Sometimes, we invite the opportunity to learn and understand something about the thinking that goes into what we do here at Plains Art Museum. We do not shy away from tough, thorny topics; also, we can do deep dives on topics when necessary in order to respect and represent a broad range of diverse creative practices.

View Event

Curator-led Gallery Tours

December 5, 2024 - 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm
Curator-led Gallery Tours

Select Thursdays, October 3, November 7, December 5, 6-6:45 PM
Exhibition: Convergence: Health and Creativity: New Works by Anne Labovitz

Have you ever wanted to explore further certain themes or concepts related to our exhibitions? If so, then join a member of our curatorial staff select Thursdays for a themed-tour about an aspect of the art, the artist(s), an exhibition, or our permanent collection. Also, these tours can be designed and tailored to fit special requests, with six-weeks advanced notice, please. Free.

View Event

Gallery Tours

December 10, 2024 - 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm
Gallery Tours

Select Tuesdays, October 8, November 12, December 10, 1-1:45 PM, Free
Exhibition: Gigawaabimin

Looking for a good place to start your museum visit? Join a knowledgeable guide from the museum for a tour of our current exhibitions with a deeper look at key objects on display from our current exhibitions. During this participatory and collective experience. You’ll also have a chance to connect and share your ideas with fellow visitors. Most tours are about 45 minutes.

View Event

Critical Grooves Book Lab

December 12, 2024 - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Critical Grooves Book Lab

Select Thursdays, 6:30-8 PM, Free

  • September 12: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
  • October 10: Palace of the Peacock by Wilson Harris
  • November 14: The Autobiography of my Mother by Jamaica Kincaid
  • December 12: Parable of Sower by Octavia Butler

Plains Art Museum’s announces its sixth iteration of Critical Grooves Book Lab. Ages 16+ are welcomed, FREE.

For our sixth (6th) session (Fall–Winter ’24), we will read four lesser-known writers who will productively intersect with the museum’s scheduled exhibitions during Fall – Winter 2024. We begin with Ocean Vuong’s award-winning novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, to intersect with the Thomas-Suwall collection on exhibition in Full Disclosure. From there, we move on to Wilson Harris’s Palace of the Peacock to discuss aspects of the novel’s convergence with A Little Grey for Color. Then, Jamaica Kincaid’s The Autobiography of My Mother provides important context for a robust discussion of several past and upcoming exhibitions in our Starion Gallery. Finally, Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower (a speculative fiction novel set in 2024) captures the perils of climate change, the disparities within human rights, and the struggle for sovereignty—issues found in the upcoming exhibition, Water Talks.

If this assemblage of lesser-known writers sounds compelling, then please join us at Plains Art Museum on the select dates below. We offer an array of hot teas and hot chocolate. However, feel free to bring your own beverages/snacks, as well.

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.

View Event

Artside Chats

December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Artside Chats

Select Thursdays, October 24, November 21, December 19, 6-7 PM, Free
Exhibition: Convergence: Health and Creativity: New Works by Anne Labovitz

Once a month, on select Thursdays, join us in an artistic setting, for an intimate chat between curatorial department members, educational department members, our Director/CEO, and guest artists for what we call an Artside Chat. This intimate format allows for deeper discussion about studio processes, the intent behind an artwork, and the broader social and cultural implications of works of art. These chats are intended as a safe space to facilitate wide ranging dialogues on contemporary issues, and respect and represent a broad range of diverse creative practices. Sometimes, we invite the opportunity to learn and understand something about the thinking that goes into what we do here at Plains Art Museum. We do not shy away from tough, thorny topics; also, we can do deep dives on topics when necessary in order to respect and represent a broad range of diverse creative practices.

View Event

Ongoing Exhibitions

S.P.A.C.E. 2024-2026

S.P.A.C.E. 2024-2026

The S.P.A.C.E. (Sculpture Pad Art Collaborative Experiment) project is a public art initiative led by Plains Art Museum in collaboration with NDSU, MSUM, and Concordia College. Sculptures are displayed for two years.

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No Time For Despair

No Time For Despair

To say that right now is the ideal time to make art that speaks directly to the people about social justice is an understatement. Because the very nature of art is to undertake or assume the role of a healer by shading light on the human condition.

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Bee in Flight

Bee in Flight

Community artist and school art teacher MeLissa Kossick, who guides youth classes at the Museum on art, gardens, and pollinators, has created an enchanting mosaic design in the Creativity Pathway in the Serkland Gallery called Bee in Flight.

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Fragile Preservation

Fragile Preservation
A Tallgrass Community

While the Tallgrass Prairie is a community made up of a great diversity of species, Fragile Preservation represents a selection of them.

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