Forks of Art: Stirring Up Activity in Grand Style

There are a plethora of places in Greater Grand Forks to experience art: the North Dakota Museum of Art on the University of North Dakota’s campus, ArtWise in the Grand Cities Mall, Arts for Vets downtown, Sertoma Park has pieces through its lush walkways, and the Alerus Center main hallway outside of the ballrooms are positively stuffed with various works from local and national artists. I know that experiencing art makes me want to participate, to let my own creative juices flow, but unless you’re already an artist or know one who you can hit up, it can be hard to find the space to lean into those urges. So I’m here to help you know where to go!

Beginning in 2016 Arts for Vets started as an initiative and collective for military vets to have space to create art. It didn’t matter if they were already artists or just people who needed a safe space to explore their artistic drives. It soon found a brick-and-mortar location in the Riverview Center in downtown Grand Forks. In addition to having individual studios for in house artists and a gallery that produces multiple pubic shows a year they also host various classes for public and private events.

Want to explore gelli plate printing? There is a class for that! How about creating your own dream catcher, or what abstract painting means to you? You can even work with stained glass or copper flame painting. How cool is that?!  If there is a medium you’ve found and want to give a try there is a good possibility that Art for Vets has a class you can take. You can keep up to date on how you want to express yourself on their Facebook page, and even if you don’t feel like you are the creative type I would challenge you to walk through their gallery and see if inspiration strikes!

Not really into getting your hands messy? Art is subjective and one of the thriving local scenes is theatre.  Between the Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre (GGFCT), Empire Theatre Company, Frost Fire Theatre, Empty State Theatre Company and UND’s theatre department a person has their choice of way to “be on stage” Now don’t get freaked out, just because I said “be on stage” doesn’t necessarily mean performing, because to put on a show takes a village.

Are you the type of person who enjoys building or painting? Nearly every show needs a set that takes time, people, and materials. A few years ago, GGFCT put on “Shrek!: The Musical” and that meant a revolving stage with different scenery on four sides! “Toad and Frog” at the Empire last year had mobile pieces that needed to be easy to get around and safe enough for actors to perform on.

If you’re not into structure, there is always the zen of painting. The director, stage manager, or set designer gives you instructions and away you go. Pop in some music or a podcast and get lost bringing the stage to life. Maybe you’re more into fabrics and how to tell a character’s story through clothing. Sign up to be a costumer! Most theatres have a decent collection of costumes on hand but between the GGFCT and UND there are decades of looks to mix and match.

The techies also get a chance to shine, literally,  because you can’t see a show if there aren’t any lights. Designing light cues, warm or cold, bright or dim can set the tone in ways that plain old building light could never. Working with the director you can turn what looks like a regular basement into a horror fun house, or make the garden on stage seem like it is warmest most pleasant sunset.

If you have kids, they aren’t left out. Summer Performing Arts (SPA) and the GGFCT Summer Camp both have programs for K-11 students, where your kids join their peers in learning all about theatre and get a chance to perform.  All said and done, if you’ve ever wondered about how magic happens there are a world of opportunities to explore.

Maybe you do want to get your hands dirty… with clay!. Boy, do I have good news for you. Muddy Waters Clay Center is just up your alley! A few times a year they will host a class where beginners can come in during open studio hours and, with little or no guidance, create with clay. The classes are five to nine weeks long depending on the course and meet once per week. In addition they have an occasional Pottery Art Camp for kids that last three sessions and introduces them to working with clay and creating their own pieces. Twice per year they also hold a showcase where you can browse through and purchase recent pieces and just enjoy the community of talented makers.

I played trumpet in middle school. I wasn’t very good and didn’t take it very seriously. I never really wanted to try it again, but occasionally I wonder what it would be like to try to learn an instrument with an adult’s patience. Luckily, if you decide to follow through with scratching a similar itch, UND’s music Department is waiting for you.

Their Community Music Program offers ten, 30-60 minutes lessons in Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano. Each lesson is individualized to each person to accommodate the level and abilities of the student. For $180 you are taught by the best UND offers. Regardless of your skill level, this unique opportunity to make music is here for the taking!

Art in the traditional sense is all around Grand Forks, from at home options to classes with friends and strangers there are choices galore!

ArtWise in the Columbia Mall is not only a gallery space but regularly holds classes. Watch for the rotating ArtWise Art Show as well as in person ArtWise Camps! Grand Forks Public Library, North Dakota Museum of Art, and St. Joseph’s Social Care and Thrift Store make to-go packages including art supplies and instructions to create your own art right in the comfort of your home.

The Grand Forks Parks District has oil painting classes throughout the year that last about a month-and-a-half. Sessions are limited to eight people, so book them with friends or just go to meet people while you learn to get your paint on! They have a list of supplies to bring, like a palette knife and paper, brushes, and a thorough assortment of paint colors.

It makes sense that you’d learn something at UND, but did you know that the North Dakota Museum of Art has creative classes? Family Day is held multiple times throughout the year and welcomes kids and adults to create, design and construct sometimes with specific themes and other times a general free-for-all. Summer Art Camp is a weeklong all day (9am-3:15pm) that offers kids the opportunity to learn various art techniques alongside professional artists. There are also free form sessions available. While each camp is a week long, there are multiple camps to pick from through June and July.

Whether you are looking to get your kids’ creative juices flowing, or wanting to find an outlet for your busy life, Grand Forks has a myriad of choices and ways to get your inner Van Gogh on.