Past Exhibitions

In its fourth year, Plains Art Museum and Circle of Nations School implement an incredible learning opportunity for Native American youth who are emerging student artists. The Museum engages some of the highest quality contemporary Native artists who are educators and mentors for these artists as they approach life as an artist after high school.

There are so many moving parts and people behind the scenes here at Plains Art Museum. Within the multitude of roles and tasks required to keep a museum running, one element that connects many of us here is our love for art.

Museums hold in their collections vast numbers of artworks and objects that rarely go on display. On average, museums only exhibit about five percent of their collection at any given time, and Plains Art Museum typically exhibits even less than five percent of the artwork it holds.

This year over 60 talented artists have contributed to our 25th annual Spring Gala Art Auction Exhibition. This gallery holds pieces for every collection, boasting a wide range of aesthetics and imagery.

Each year, Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists (FMVA) presents the Studio Crawl, a popular, free event that gives the community access to professional artist studios. The Studio Crawl is an opportunity for people to meet artists, see demonstrations, and purchase their work.

Plains Art Museum, in partnership with Crow’s Shadow Institute for the Arts, is honored to bring Continuity of Culture. This exhibition will highlight prints from Crow’s Shadow’s permanent collection in conversation with Indigenous objects from Plains Art Museum’s permanent collection.

Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists (FMVA), North Dakota Arts Education Association (NDAEA) and Plains Art Museum are coming together to promote and support our state and regional arts educators. This joint exhibition features the artwork of art educators and artists who directly interact in educating others in the visual arts.

Established in 1985, Red River Watercolor Society (RRWS) is a non-profit, international organization of volunteer artists and art supporters. RRWS’s vision is to provide a diverse selection of watermedia and related opportunities for RRWS members and the Red River Valley community.

Plains Art Museum, in partnership with Philomé Productions, is hosting Empower Haiti: Disaster Relief and Orphanage Fundraiser. This auction and exhibition feature seven distinct and original photographic prints from Wess Philomé, an energetic and insightful, incisive creative talent who has resided in ND for 15 years.

In its third year, Plains Art Museum partners with Circle of Nations School to implement an incredible learning opportunity for Native American youth who are emerging student-artists.

With a roster of over 95 established visual artists, poets, writers, musicians, activists and visionaries, Grupo Soap del Corazón, led by Dougie Padilla and Xavier Tavera, is one of the longest-running Latinx artist groups in the country.

Over her almost 70 year-long career, Hazel Belvo has been a prominent contributor to both the arts and feminist advocacy in the region. Hazel co-founded the Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota (WARM), was Chair of the Fine Arts Dept. at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), and taught at the Grand Marais Artist Colony.

Born in Kansas City, W. Scott Olsen grew up in the north suburbs of Chicago. A pilot, traveler, adventure writer, photographer and professor of English at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, Olsen is the author of eleven books, editor of several anthologies, and former editor of the national literary magazine, Ascent.

Below the Surface showcases pieces that can help teach about the principles and elements of art and design to a larger audience.

Returning for its fifth year, and again demonstrating power in quality, diversity, and strength, Plains Art Museum welcomes back the 2022 North Dakota Human Rights Art Exhibition.