Creative Corners: 8 Art Activities in Grand Forks

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, these art activities in Grand Forks will be sure to *draw* you in and have your creativity flowing!

Jalen Nicole Floral, voted Grand Forks Herald’s Best Florist of 2023, produces gorgeous arrangements that can often be seen at weddings or local events at the University of North Dakota. Even better, she often hosts classes around the Grand Forks region! With her expert guidance, Jalen will show you how to create beautiful floral arrangements so you can learn how to add a pop of color to your own event, or even just to your kitchen countertop. Her classes are often at varying Grand Forks businesses; recent locations being the Grand Forks Country Club, Byrdie’s Gift Shop in Grafton, and The Lighting Gallery. Since locations and dates are always varying, you’ll want to follow her Facebook page to keep up with her classes.

Arts for Vets is a nonprofit organization formed and run by a group of veterans, military, family members, and community members who create great art and host events. Located in downtown Grand Forks in the Riverview Center, Arts for Vets has a collection of exhibits and classes for all to enjoy. You can stop by every Thursday from 6pm-8pm to see the art displayed by each artist or check out their Facebook page where they will post their upcoming events. A bit of a hidden gem, you can expect a regular schedule of free art activities at ArtWise: Mondays offer writing classes, Tuesdays and Saturdays often host Open Salon Art classes. Saturdays also include Native American Beading and cooking classes every other week. All of these are offered for FREE every week. Just walk in the door—they will give teachers and supplies galore!

Beyond their regular schedule, they have also hosted stained-glass classes,  cooking classes, pumpkin painting/carving,  poetry readings, gathering to make s’mores and talk art, and open houses galore. If you are already creating pieces of your own, Arts for Vets also provides rentable studio space announces calls for local artists to display their talents. Trying out an evening at Arts for Vets is a great way to meet more of your community and explore your creative side without having to dedicate yourself to one specific medium or buying a bunch of materials before you try something new.

If you want to find your groove, but want a social aspect too, the Grand Forks Park District has organized a creative way to keep your hands busy! Oil painting classes are hosted at Richard’s West Park Art Studio every year during the winter, summer, and fall.. Currently, these lessons cost $75/person and there is a limit of 10 people per class. You will want to make a run to your local craft store and pick up your products ahead of time, so you are ready to hit the ground running! Do not worry, they will let you know exactly which items you will need to get started. This would be beyond fun with a partner or a friend and a great way to spend quality time with those around you! Check out this link to find more details and session dates. 

The North Dakota Museum of Art is hosts multiple Family Days each year where both adults and children of all ages come together to work on projects that tie into the current Museum exhibit, all while learning about techniques and materials. This is an awesome activity for some rambunctious kiddos during the warmer months and a great way to expose them to new techniques in a safe environment. Check out their website to register and take a look at their calendar of events! There are no admission or parking fees, but donations are always welcome to lessen the burden of material costs.

ArtWise is a local a non-profit elementary arts program run by volunteers (Maybe you have seen some of the children’s art exhibits in the Columbia Mall). If you want to try something new at home, they provide Take and Make art packs, where you can create a wonderful art piece at your own pace! Grab one of their free art monthly art kits at any of the following locations: ArtWise Gallery, Grand Forks Public Library, or The North Dakota Museum of Art. My friends and I take advantage of this for an arts and crafts night while we catch up. Art materials can be spendy if you do not know exactly where to start or what you are looking for, so kits like this are incredible for giving you a taste of something new and finding where your passion lies.

Few in the area are fully aware of exactly how much theatre happens in Grand Forks. With three operating theatre companies, three beloved theatre venues, and a bunch of high school and children’s theatre, you can be sure that they stage is lit up at any given point in Grand Forks. If you feel that you are ready to strut in the spotlight, be sure follow The Empire Theatre Company, the Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre, and The Empty State Theatre on their websites and socials to be sure that you never miss an opportunity to shine.

Maybe acting, singing, and dancing isn’t your thing? Theatre is a multifaceted, multi-creative industry. Local companies are always looking out for non-acting talent as well. Maybe you want to paint sets or try your hand at running lights and sound? (Which is great for you techie creatives out there. Maybe you would like to try makeup design or maybe you are happy enough to help sell concessions or usher people to their seats. Many of the buildings also offer non-theatric options, like the Empire’s Improv classes or Poetry Out Loud sessions. Regardless of where your interests lie, each theatre space welcomes newcomers with open arms.

Two or three times per year, Muddy Waters opens up its doors to Grand Forks area locals for multiweek-long clay works classes. Those interested can take a spin at either a 5-week-long wheel throwing class or try their hand at a 9-week-long hand building class. Sessions met once per week, often in the late afternoons or evenings. Don’t worry about supplying the materials—the class fee usually comes with the clay and firing fees covered and often a handy dandy toolkit is thrown in as well. All you need is a towel, an apron, and an eagerness to get messy to get started! These classes are exceedingly popular so be sure to keep tabs on the registration deadlines from their website or Facebook page. If demand is high enough, they’ve been known to throw in an extra class beyond their usual two for the season.

If raising your voice in perfect harmony with others sounds like a dream to you, then Grand Forks is here to make it come true! The Grand Forks Choral Society is open to adults and students in the 8^th grade or higher. Whether you are a seasoned singer or have no previous music or choral experience, the GFCS is happy to invite you to register. The season begins in late summer, so be sure to keep a pulse on their registration announcements through their Facebook page.

If you really want to take your choral skills to the next level, Grand Forks also boasts The Grand Forks Chorales, an auditioned choir that provides educational opportunities and workshops. Beyond that, there is an even more elite choir within the Chorales called the Master Chorale, where you can audition to be a part of a professional-caliber choir that tackles unique choral masterpieces.

Regardless of who you sing with, you can expect to be a part of some gorgeous music making for concerts, events, and even holiday showcases.

Whatever your medium is, there is something GF has to offer. Beyond these options, there are a lot of opportunities to gain exposure in the theaters, entertainment venues, and other studios around town, as well as any behind-the-scenes action with which you can help!