THE ARTS CENTER
THE ARTS CENTER NEWSLETTER Issue 150: September – October, 2020
A Word From Our Director
Courtesy of:
Todd Green Residency
Downtown Arts Market
New Exhibits Upcoming Classes Arts After School Manhattan Short Film Fest Perfectly Paired Wine Event
Mindi Schmitz Executive Director
The Arts Center is somewhat back to normal. We just concluded a successful Downtown Arts Market, it looked a little different, but by all accounts we call it a success. We are so grateful for all of our sponsors and of course the community who supported the Downtown Arts Market and respected its new “look.” We continue to offer adult and family classes in person and online, and of course our Arts After School Program. All of the in-person classes will take place in The Arts Center or Hansen Studio, each of those spaces will be COVID protected. We installed hand sanitizers, will encourage and provide facemasks and social distancing, and our classrooms will have separate student spaces. As most organizations, we have suffered in our fundraising efforts, we have cancelled Oktoberfest but we are forging ahead some new ideas. The Wine & Cheese committee is planning on offering some smaller, more frequent events throughout the year. And we have established a “Special Events Committee.” Look for some creative events to come from them.
Sincerely,
Our 10th annual OKTOBERFEST! celebration will be postponed until 2021
The Arts Center’s 9th Annual
Our annual celebration of all things German will OKTOBERFEST 2019 Featuring German food and due German beers, over the not happen this year to style concerns music and festivities. Costumes encouraged.
Corona virus epidemic. Hopefully, all of this is over and we can once again celebrate together next year. Saturday, September 14th at The Hansen Arts Park
THE ARTS CENTER WOULD LIKE TO THANK THESE DONORS FOR MAKING THIS SUMMER’S EVENT POSSIBLE.
AAUW - Jamestown Branch Interstate Engineering North Dakota Council on the Arts United Way
TODD GREEN’S WORLD OF MUSIC
is coming to Jamestown, ND for a week-long residency! Friday, September 25 at 7:00 pm: Concert at The Arts Center The Arts Center is bringing multi-instrumentalist Todd Green to Jamestown for a residency during the week of September 20th. Todd is an accomplished musician who performs on over 30 acoustic string, flute and percussion instruments from all over the world. During his time in Jamestown, he will perform and demonstrate for residents at Ave Maria Village on September 22 and will do a full concert at The Arts Center on Friday, September 25 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm (tickets are $10 / $5 for members and children get in free with an adult). Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tickets and seats are limited and must be reserved in advance by calling 701-251-2496. In the educational program at Ave Maria Village, Green will take the audience on a whirlwind tour of musical instruments from around the world as he demonstrates 25 string, flute and percussion instruments and unusual rhythms and scales used in other cultures. He relates the instruments both culturally and historically as well as to our familiar Western instruments. His custom-built electronic system, which allows him to layer instruments as he performs, adds an element of high-tech “magic” and turns him into a one-man-band of World Music. This dynamic and highly acclaimed program keeps everyone riveted as Todd “helps break down the barriers that divide us by experiencing other cultures through their music.”
This engagement is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the North Dakota Council on the Arts and the Crane Group.
His full concert (which takes eight hours of set-up time) will feature original music inspired by many different cultures in the Middle East, Central Asia, Far East and South America. Like the educational programs, the concert is enhanced by the use of his custom-built electronic system that allows him to layer instruments as he plays to create his trademark “solo-ensemble” sound. Regardless of your previous musical experiences, audience members are unlikely to ever view music in exactly the same way as before. And will hopefully have your musical, cultural and creative horizons vastly expanded. Friday evening’s concert at The Arts Center will conclude with a discussion moderated by Two River’s Performing Arts School Executive Director Mark Reeves. We greatly look forward to sharing this amazing artist with the community. Social distancing will be in place and wearing of masks is strongly encouraged.
ART FOR LIFE PROGRAM FEATURED IN SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE The Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Magazine recently featured North Dakota in an article titled “Chronicling Cultural Sustainability at the Geographic Center of North America.” The article describes North Dakota’s response to maintaining cultural and social connections in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Included are many artists and activities supported by North Dakota Council on the Arts. Many of these programs occurred with the NDCA’s Art for Life Program. The program, a core Arts Center offering, “uses interaction with art and artists to improve the emotional and physical wellness of elders—both those living in care facilities, as well as those living independently—through partnerships consisting of community artists, arts agencies, elder care facilities, and schools.” NDCA and Folklorist Troyd Geist responded quickly to adjust programs to help alleviate “the strict quarantines initiated in March isolated many of those elders, who suddenly lacked the interpersonal connections that are so vital to their lives.” The article tells how, “Chuck Suchy—the master musician from Mandan—visited with elders (from Bismarck, Enderlin, and Jamestown) on the phone about their lives, thoughts, and experiences. Using words of inspiration generated from those conversations, Suchy wrote, recorded, and shared four songs, which reveal some of the strength, humor, and wisdom during these difficult times of isolation: “We Worked with Horses,”“Listen to the Wise,”“At the Center” and “How Will I Know Your Heart.” Once the Jamestown song was complete, Chuck came to Jamestown’s Heritage Centre and performed the elder’s song in-person with the ladies that he interviewed. It was an amazing interaction, everyone; elders, their families, and staff were delighted with the song and moved to tears. Here is the link to the entire Folklife article and to the song that was created in our community: https://folklife.si.edu/magazine/cultural-sustainability-north-dakota-covid https://youtu.be/G-VDVj5ewzc Pictured: Donna Tompkins, Loretta Piehl, Gladys Ley and Frances Pendray and Chuck Suchy.
upcoming classes providing opportunities for artistic development and exploration CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS & TEENS Pre-registration required. Details and registration online at: www.jamestownarts.com
FAMILY POTTERY with Bill Nybo
Saturdays: September 19 and 26 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for a family class where you work side by side with your child, you will be introduced to the basic pinch, coil and slab hand-building techniques. Projects are designed to stimulate creativity in a playful way—a great way to share time with your child! Be sure to wear clothes you’re not afraid to get dirty. Includes all materials and kiln firing. Attendance at both sessions is necessary for a glazed finished piece. $40 / $30 for members (1 child,1 adult).
BEGINNING KNITTING with Trish Simon
Saturdays: October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 10am – 12pm
Go over knitting basics of knit and purl stitches with straight needles, how to cast on and off, and how to read knitting patterns by knitting washcloths and throw pillows. Participants should bring needles size 7 and 10 for the class. All other supplies will be provided. $100 / $90 for members.
We are thrilled to welcome back Linda Roesch for a third year as our Artist in Residence. So far this summer, Linda has been busy! She taught a summer art camp at the beginning of June, she finished a mural in downtown Jamestown in July, and she is currently working on another mural in Watford City! You can often see Linda around Jamestown at the many open mic nights painting or drawing the evenings’ events. Along with all her normal activities this coming year, Linda is going to tackle some new teaching opportunities at the University of Jamestown. And The Arts Center will be showcasing Linda’s artworks from November 19 to January 23 in our gallery, so stop on by to see it! You can find more information about Linda and her artwork at www.sketchingspot.com.
ARTS AFTER SCHOOL
We at The Arts Center are proud that during the upcoming 2020-21 school year our popular Arts After School program will reach its twenty second year of providing innovative, arts based youth development activities for elementary aged children in our community. This year will look a little different given the current pandemic. Students will be asked to wash their hands, wear masks and remain within their plexiglass partition during class. Surfaces will be regularly sanitized. The Arts Center will do its very best to conduct Arts After School in the safest way possible. If your child is showing symptoms or feeling ill, please stay home for everyone’s safety. As a reminder, our schedule follows the JPS schudule. Should the JPS cancel school or close early Arts After School will follow suit. Arts After School Program • Designed for students in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 • School days from 3:30 – 5:00 pm • After school snack included • Scholarships available • Bus transportation provided (in town only) • Pre-registration required at www.jamesownarts.com Pottery and Hand-building with Bill Nybo September 14 – September 25 • $80 Bill Nybo is back with another fun session in our pottery studio! This time around he will be leading the class in a to-be-decided theme. The students will hand-build their own piece, it will be dried and fired, and then they will have the chance to glaze it! Don’t miss out on this fun after school class! Art of Autumn with Dina Laskowski September 28 – October 2 • $40 Learn about the many different colors and creative ways to make art in Autumn! In this class, Dina Laskowski will be teaching the students how to use different aspects, such as colors and outdoor items, of Autumn to create unique and wonderful art pieces! Digital Art with ProCreate with Kathleen Roehm October 5 – October 21 • $96 Education Coordinator Kathleen will teach students how to use the digital art software, ProCreate, for iPad and iPhone. In this class, you will learn the basics on how to use layers, sketching, line art, and color to create beautiful digital drawings. Bring your own iPad or iPhone and stylus (if wanted) and the Arts Center will pay for the ProCreate software! * No school / No Arts After School October 9
56th ANNUAL JFAA ART SHOW
September 5 – October 9, 2020 Reception CHANGE: Saturday, September 12 from 12:00 –2:00 pm
Despite Covid-19 the show must go on and we currently have over 75 artworks submitted for this year’s exhibition. There was a moment in July when registrations were arriving slowly that we feared there might be an artistic hiccup for whatever reason. We quickly re-advertised, dropped the entry fees (thanks to a generous support from Bank Forward) and reached out to again to artists. Miraculously, the show entries began to arrive. These times haven’t been easy on artists with galleries closed, exhibitions cancelled and sales down. All of our entry fees for this exhibition go to support small cash awards so Bank Forward stepping up to assist with covering these costs is a wonderful gesture and greatly appreciated. You can also help artists during this pandemic by visiting the show and perhaps purchasing a one-of-a-kind special gift of art. This exhibition is unique as many of the artworks are relatively affordable. The exhibit will be open for public viewing starting on Saturday, September 5th, since it is Labor Day weekend and many will be enjoying the last days of summer, we have rescheduled the reception for Saturday, September 12 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Awards will be announced on that date. We ask that people wear masks and distance from each other. Bagged refreshments will be provided.
Miles Pearse, Crazy Crayons, 2019, melted crayons on canvas, 8” x 10”, youth entry
TRESHOLD
Sculpture by Patrick Luber October 15 – November 13, 2020 This Fall we host University of North Dakota sculpture professor, Patrick Luber. His impeccable installation and sculptural work is sophisticated, thought provoking, and distinctive. When you visit the gallery be prepared to consider the variety of themes Luber is addressing while admiring the artist’s mastery over his materials. Over the span of Patrick Luber’s career he has explored the serious and humorous intersection of religion, national identity, popular culture, and folk art as they relate to American culture. His sculptures are unified by his use of referential objects as sculptural form, especially familiar objects, such as beds, books, architectural forms, or liturgical objects. Through the manipulation and combination of these ordinary objects, a visual language emerges which expresses the idiosyncratic experiment called America. Artist Statement: “Threshold: the place or point of entering or beginning. Although I have worked in many different mediums and artistic modes over the years, the two things that have remained constant have been my interest in relief sculpture and various aspects of religion, especially the Cover & Above: From Tears of Sorrow to Living Waters practice of prayer. Both relief sculpture Next Page: Poultice and prayer are thresholds. Formally, relief sculpture’s placement on a wall locates it within the context and threshold of architecture—and draws attention to the images and objects we deem important enough, or worthy enough to be displayed. As we shape our environment with images and objects, these things, in turn, shape us. Prayer can be thought of as a threshold too, an entry point to spiritual realms. Prayer literally intersects all aspects of culture, from health care to politics and science. As such, prayer becomes an expressive entry point for visual exploration of our idiosyncratic culture. What seems to collectively unite our culture is popular culture, and I employ various tropes to unite my interest in relief sculpture and prayer. Drawing upon popular culture, religious material culture, national identity, and vernacular art, I work to continue and expand upon the timeless relationship between art, religion, and spirituality.
More broadly speaking, a work of art is a threshold—a beginning point for both the maker and the viewer to enter other visions, ideas, and emotions. As a fellow teacher and artist once expressed, as we begin the journey into a world of artistic expression “we find our souls immigrating to another world and we have to leave our belongings behind.” ~ July 20, 2020 Biography Raised on a farm near Pocahontas, IL, Patrick Luber received a BA degree from Greenville College in Greenville, IL, and MA and MFA degrees in sculpture from the University of New Mexico. Luber’s work has been exhibited in over 40 solo and 140 group exhibitions on the regional, national, and international levels and is included in the permanent collections of various museums and art centers. His work has received numerous awards and in 2016 Luber served as an artist-in-residence at the Henry Luce III Center for Art & Religion in Washington DC. In addition to his artwork, Luber has presented lectures on the intersection of art, religion, and American culture at regional and national conferences. He currently teaches sculpture at the University of North Dakota. Additional information can be found at www.patrickluber.com. Please watch The Arts Center news emails and Facebook for an opportunity to hear Patrick Luber discussing the exhibition and his artwork.
Buffalo City Photo Club The local band of photo enthusiasts will be meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Hansen Arts Studio. Topics are focused primarily for DSLR camera users. Free and open to anyone. We will be meeting in the Hansen Arts Park until further notice. Join the Buffalo City Photography Club Facebook Group page for continuous updates. September 15 and October 20 starts at 6:30 pm
Wood carving with the local Woodchippers October 15 from 6:30 –8:30 pm Our local group of wood carving aficionados, the Woodchippers, will begin meeting again the third Thursday of the month in October at the Hansen Arts Studio. They love to share their knowledge. Any skill and interest level is welcome to participate. They may even be willing to lend you a chisel!
Open Mic Night September 24 & October 22 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm Poets, writers, musicians, comedians, solos, duos, and any and all performers are welcome to share your talent with the community at our monthly open mic night. There will be a sign up sheet at the door. Please limit your piece to 10 minutes. A P.A. system, bass amp, guitar amp and music stands will be provided and facilitated by local musician Steve Kuykendall.
Although we are beginning to hold some events again, we ask that you please respect social distancing guidelines and wear your mask for everyone’s safety and enjoyment. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone any event if we deem it necessary for the safety of our guests and staff.
The pandemic has given us the opportunity to creatively change some of our signature Arts Center programs to safely enjoy all that culture and the arts have to offer. Over the next five months, in association with the opening of each new exhibition we will be offering an “exclusive” wine and cheese tasting for up to 25 participants aptly named Perfectly Paired, because what’s better than curated wine and cheese parings coupled with art. Sommelier Karla Sandness will be choosing each exhibition’s pairings which may be inspired by the art or other common theme. To be sure, the wine and cheeses will delight your palate. This program is first-come-first-served. To sign up for participation give the office a call at 701-251-2496. PERFECTLY PAIRED: October 15, November 19, January 28, March 5 and April 22 at 7:00 pm in The Arts Center gallery. Call soon to reserve your spot as we are limiting attendance to 25 guests. Tickets are $25 AND look for a discounted book of tickets for the future wine and cheese events at the October 15 event.
MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
MANHATTAN SHORT2 &FILM FESTIVAL at The Arts Center October 3 at 7:00 pm at The Arts Center October 2 & 3 at 7:00 pm onto a screen mounted SHORT to the side a truck on Little Italy’s Mulberry New The first MANHATTAN wasofheld in 1998, when 16 short filmsStreet were in shown ontoCity, a screen mounted to the side of a truck on Little Italy’s Mulberry StreetSHORT in New York and has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon. MANHATTAN York City, and has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon. MANHATTAN SHORT is the only film festival that unfolds simultaneously in the cinemas around he world. Bringing over 100,000 film-lovers across the continents together for one week 9 to accommodate social distancing), to view the work of (extended this year nine fantastic film makers. decide. across thebest? United States around the globe will become Which Cinema-goers of the short films is the That’s up and to the worldwide audience to decide. Cinema -goers across the United States and around the globe will become instant film critics theyFilm are and handed ballotThe upon entrydirectors that allows vote for the for the Best as Short Best aActor. world’s andthem actorstoanxiously Best Short Film and Best Actor. The world’s directors and actors anxiously await await your decision! your decision. $10 Arts Center Members/$15 General Public. Tickets the Manhattan door: $15 / Short $10 fortrailer AC members. View theat2020 at: www.manhattanshort.com You can view the 2020 Manhattan Short trailer at: www.manhattanshort.com
arts center fans! The Arts Center depends on the generosity of many people and businesses to bring you great programs year round. Gifts can be large or small. You can make a simple online contribution at: www.jamestownarts.com—OR consider becoming an Arts Center Member. Member dollars provide a dependable, on-going revenue stream for general operation and creative programming. Members get some great perks too‌ like discounted tickets!
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In addition to supporting our community programs, members receive discounted tickets to concerts, performances, theater shows, special events and reduced tuition for art classes. Members also receive an $15 Arts Center gift card each year. THANK YOU! Please return your completed form to The Arts Center.
special thanks to: John Zvirovski for planting and Lynn Lambrecht and Christine Witt for maintaining the beautiful flowers in the Hansen Arts Park. The employees of Unison Bank, North Dakota Farmers Union and Farmers Union Insurance, The Jamestown Sun, and First Community Credit Union for volunteering to serve summer meals to kids in our community. University of Jamestown for donating art supplies. Jackson Walters for maintaining The Arts Park. Bank Forward for sponsoring the Annual Show. And Aloha Kercher and Judy Faulkner for volunteering in the office.
THE ARTS CENTER