Plains Art Museum announces New Chief Curator and Director of Collections and Exhibitions
Press Release
For Immediate Release (April 2024)
Plains Art Museum has named Danielle Gravon as its new Chief Curator and Director of Collections and Exhibitions effective February 26, 2024.
Danielle is an experienced artist, art historian, and arts educator, who has garnered historical, theoretical, and practical arts knowledge through involvement with various institutions locally, nationally, and internationally. These include museums like Whitworth Art Gallery and John Rylands Library in the United Kingdom, Gutenberg Museum in Germany, Plantin-Moretus Museum in Belgium, and Rourke Art Museum in Moorhead, MN; non-profits like Creative Growth in Oakland, CA, Olive Ridley Project in the UK and Maldives, and The Arts Partnership in Fargo, ND; and universities. Before joining Plains Art Museum, Danielle was the Director of Art Exhibitions and Collections at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). She has also taught studio art and art history courses at MSUM, Concordia College, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, and University of Manchester.
“I have a deep fondness for Plains Art Museum. Its collections and exhibitions had a formative influence on me as an art student. Some of my earliest encounters with art happened here. I’m excited to join the team and to bring the knowledge I gained abroad back home to benefit communities where I grew up,” said Gravon.
Danielle’s curatorial vision is twofold. First, she strives to create exhibitions that showcase and engage diverse communities by focusing on topical themes, interactive design, and well-researched content. Second, she strives to facilitate accessibility to a wide range of arts by connecting with national and international stake holders to bring in compelling exhibitions.
Danielle brings her extensive background in studio art and art history to Plains Art Museum. She holds a BA in Studio Art and German from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, a dual MFA/MA degree in Printmaking and History and Theory of Contemporary Art from the San Francisco Art Institute, as well as an MA and PhD in Art History from the University of Manchester in the UK.
“We are so pleased for Danielle to join the team at Plains Art Museum! With her background in studio art and art history, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences to her role as Chief Curator. With Plain’s renewed commitment to exhibiting top-tier, nationally recognized exhibitions, I look forward to working with Danielle to bring this vision into reality,” said Director and CEO, Erin Shapiro.
Please join us welcoming Danielle on Thursday, March 28 at 9 a.m. at Plains Art Museum.
Plains Art Museum is the largest art museum in the Dakotas and Western Minnesota. It is free general admission and educationally-focused thanks to strong and growing support from over 800 households and businesses. The Museum manages a permanent collection of over 4,000 objects, organizes and presents dozens of annual exhibitions, facilitates public art projects, and leads over 200 educational programs and experiences for all ages each year. The Museum, and its Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity, are located at 704 First Avenue North in downtown Fargo. For more information about visiting or supporting your art museum, visit plainsart.org.704 First Avenue NorthFargo, North Dakota701.551.6100 • plainsart.org
Livewire Presents Plains Art Museum’s 2024 Spring Gala
Press Release
For Immediate Release (April 2024)
Fargo, ND – On Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 7 pm – midnight, Plains Art Museum, its board of directors, and Presenting Sponsor Livewire invite you to the Museum’s 27th annual Spring Gala, 2024: Sci-Fi Artistry. Spring Gala 2024: Sci-Fi Artistry will feature world-class event production by Livewire, hors d’oeuvres from Chef’s Table + Urban Foods, desserts from Nichole’s Fine Pastry and Café, and a wine tasting by 27-year sponsor, Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops. Guests will dance the night away to music from DJ Star IV and Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome. The event will also feature sci-fi inspired art adventures courtesy of Fargo Pinball, Puzzled Escape Rooms, and Folkways. Gala attendees are encouraged to view the art galleries, which are always free and open to the public thanks in part to support generated on Spring Gala night, and guests are also encouraged to bid on high-quality art in a silent auction. All proceeds benefit Plains Art Museum, the only accredited art museum in North Dakota.
This year’s theme was inspired in part by a painting that Plains Art Museum cares for in its permanent collection, Toward the Sun by John Berkey. Berkey is a renowned sci-fi artist born in North Dakota. He created art for NASA, National Geographic, Star Wars, King Kong, Dune, Popular Mechanics, and many sci-fi books. Donations on Gala night help the Museum maintain the rigorous standards for accreditation, which gives the Museum the ability to showcase internationally recognized artists like Berkey for all the community to enjoy.
Co-chairs Jake and Maribeth Joraanstad will greet guests on May 4th as they gather for an evening that both celebrates and supports local creativity. Jake and Maribeth are familiar with the forward-thinking and innovative spirit that sci-fi art inspires. Jake is the CEO and co-founder of Bushel, and Maribeth also works at Bushel, an innovative software company that has digitized the agriculture industry.
“What resonates with us about the Plains Art Museum is its commitment to accessibility and community engagement. The museum’s offering of free admission to all is proof of its dedication to enriching lives and cultivating a love for the arts,” Maribeth said.
Tickets are available for purchase for $125 before April 22 and $150 leading up to the event at givebutter.com/c/2024-gala. For member discounts, contact Kyla Hoisington at khoisington@plainsart.org.
Spring Gala 2024: Sci-Fi Artistry is presented by Livewire.
Plains Art Museum is your nonprofit art museum and education center, supported by over 800 community members. The Museum is located at 704 First Avenue North in downtown Fargo. For more information, visit plainsart.org.