TABLE OF CONTENTs
a note from PAC PRESIDENT
As President of the Public Arts Commission, I’m proud to reflect on a year marked by creativity, collaboration, and community impact. The 2024–25 season brought an exciting range of public art projects to life—from large-scale installations at the new Altru Hospital and public galleries, to outdoor arts installations exhibits and community celebrations—all rooted in our commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and artistic excellence.
These accomplishments were made possible by the dedication of our artists, volunteers, partners, and staff, who believe in the power of public art to inspire and connect. As we look ahead, we remain focused on expanding opportunities, activating new spaces, and celebrating the diverse voices that make our community vibrant.
jill neLson
Board President
who we are
The Public Arts Commission (PAC), established in 2014, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board, dedicated to enhancing the Grand Forks region through the promotion and integration of public art. Since its inception, PAC has initiated numerous public art projects and organized annual events, with the goal of showcasing and supporting local artists across various mediums. These efforts have led to new galleries and exhibits that celebrate Grand Forks’ creative community.
Our vision is to weave arts and culture deeply into the community’s fabric, drawing visitors and residents alike. We aim to build a vibrant environment that fosters innovation and contributes to economic growth.
Bringing inspirational and engaging art into public spaces to energize our community. public art
Connecting artists with collectors, supporting diverse art forms, and promoting local art events, performances, exhibits, murals, and sculptures. support and promotion
Fostering partnerships with local organizations and businesses to integrate the arts into everyday life and amplify community voices through creative expression. community collaboration
board MEMBERS
jill nelson President
GF Park District
sally misKavige
Vice President Collector, TAG, Business Owner
kathy armacost
University of North Dakota First Lady, Art Collector
john nelson
Musician, Performer, BBI International
support staff
vickie arndt
ann brown Secretary Art Collector
BOHN Realtor
DEAN OPP
Former Non-Profit Performing Arts / Director
sadie gilbraith Treasurer Minkota Power Cooperative
curt kruen
Past President State Senator, Community Member
alex reichert
Collector, Attorney / Business Owner
Realtor / Art Collector
DAVID SMILEY
RYAN
art vibrancy campaign
#grandart
Thanks to many talented local artists and the generous supporters of our arts community, Grand Forks has over 165 works of public art for anyone to enjoy.
Through a collaboration of the Public Arts Commission, City of Grand Forks and Visit Greater Grand Forks, a public art registry was created that pinpoints the names, artists and locations of public art in Grand Forks.
there are 165+ public art pieces in grand forks and east grand forks
share grand art
The #GrandArt movement highlights these wonderful public art pieces contained in the registry, with the overall goal of celebrating and building a strong public arts presence in Greater Grand Forks.As you visit the public art listed in this directory or discover the other amazing artworks within the region, please post on social media and share your #GrandArt.Join the movement and become a voice for a more colorful Greater Grand Forks through the arts!
GRANDART: ONLINE PUBLIC ART DIRECTORY
Scattered about town is a wide variety of awesomely eclectic public art works that represent the region’s diverse culture and history. Through a collaboration with the City of Grand Forks and Visit Greater Grand Forks, the Public Arts Commission created a public art directory with background information on local public art pieces and where to find them.
To accomplish this project, it took years of research and documentation of the 165+ public art works of in Grand Forks dating back to 1890. Thanks to the work by artist Greg Vettel, UND Students, Sky Scopes, Smithsonian Museum Art Collections, UND Art Collections, Visit Greater Grand Forks staff, and others, PAC was able to establish an online public art directory, hosted on VisitGrandForks.com. The directory consists of individual webpages dedicated to each public art piece identified with the artist, who commissioned the art, installation date, medium, images, a map of the location, and any history on the art we found in our research.
In 2024, PAC began working on “GrandArt”, a public art awareness campaign created to promote the online directory and celebrate our public art in Grand Forks. Once finalized, the campaign will be promoted to our community and used as a tourism resource for the City of Grand Forks. Watch for videos and the rollout of the campaign in 2026!
Altru new hospital
In summer of 2024, Altru Health System partnered with the Public Arts Commission to establish an art collection focused on local culture that highlights regional artists. The goal of the collection was to create a calming, supportive and healing atmosphere for patients, families, and staff.
Altru and PAC commissioned 13 regional artists to create artwork designed for specific high-traffic areas throughout the new hospital. The new artwork was completed and installed by the 2025 opening of the new hospital. Beyond the initial concept, there were also two dedicated areas established for rotating galleries featuring works from the North Dakota Museum of Art and University of North Dakota Art Collections.
Altru’s commitment to the local arts community can been seen through this entire project. By working with regional arts groups and artists, they showcase the vast talent and culture within our community. A special thanks to the talented artists, Altru Art Committee, Curator Vickie Arndt, Hospital Building Contractors, and many others for their dedication to this amazing project.
Altru and PAC plan to continue to expand the collection over time, adding more works by other artists in our area.
Healing through art
Commission Regional Artists:
TODD HEBERT, (b. 1972 in Valley City, ND, resides in Grand Forks, ND)
MICAH HAJI-SHEIKH (b. Arlington, TX, resides in Grand Forks, ND)
PIRJO BERG (b. Finland, former longtime Grand Forks Resident)
JOLENE MIKKELSON (b. Grand Forks, ND)
KELLY THOMPSON (b. Grand Forks, ND)
CASEY OPSTAD (b. Grand Forks, ND, residing in Brooklyn, NY)
ADAM KEMP (b. England, residing in Grand Forks, ND)
HILLARY KEMPNICH (b. Turtle Mountain Band of Chippews, resides in Grand Forks, ND)
MICHAEL CONLAN (b. Grand Forks, ND)
JASON RESTEMAYER (b. Grand Forks, ND)
JESSIE THORSON (b. Bemidji, MN, residing in Grand Forks, ND)
SENTA LAUREN (GRZADZIELEWSKI) (b. Milwaukee, WI, residing in Grand Forks, ND)
PAUL GRONHOVD (b. Nekoma, ND)
HALEY BROTHERS (b. Residing in Shakopee, MN)
WALTER PIEHL (b. Marion, ND)
CASEY OPSTAD | Seasons
SENTA LAUREN GRZADZIELEWSKI
The Secret World of Reeves Drive
Artfest Annual art festival
Hosting artists and artisans, food vendors, and entertainers - ArtFest caters to art lovers and festivalgoers from around the region with two full days of art, food, family activities and youth art projects, live entertainment and more. The 24th anniversary of ArtFest took place at University Park in Grand Forks, North Dakota. ArtFest drew more people than ever! With a wide variety of quality exhibits, interactive activities, and food vendors, ArtFest was enjoyed by more than 20,000 art lovers and festivalgoers from around the region.
100+ artists, food vendors, musicians, organizations
ArtFest was made possible by grants from:
North Dakota Council on the Arts
Visit Greater Grand Forks
Myra Foundation
Grand Forks Parks District
City of Grand Forks
Tahnk You to Our Sponsors:
University of North Dakota
Albatross Indoor Golf Club
BBI International Media & Events
Oxford Realty
American Crystal Sugar Company
IMM
Centerspace
Alerus Financial
Ideal Aerosmith
Leighton Media
Minnesota Public Radio
Choice Bank
Gate City Bank
Prairie Public
Development Homes, Inc.
Opp Construction
Mayor’s Choice Artist
Established in 2010, the Mayor’s Choice Artist Award represents the City of Grand Forks’ commitment to fostering a vibrant artistic community and a continued dedication to the cultural enrichment of Grand Forks. Together, we celebrate the human value of creating art and recognize the tremendous impact of art on a community — its people, culture, and economy.
Every year the Public Arts Commission and Mayor of Grand Forks honor an outstanding local artist(s) for an exhibition that will grace the walls of City Hall. Each artist is given a public reception and their artwork is presented in a public gallery space for our community to celebrate their artistic achievement.
2025: Paul Gronhovd2024: Pirjo Berg
Paul Gronhovd is a photographer and printmaker with deep roots in both traditional darkroom processes and contemporary digital practice. He holds a background in graphic arts and has exhibited work regionally and nationally.
The act of seeing is never passive. In Sightlines: A Journey Through the Act of Seeing, photographer Paul Gronhovd invites us into a dual exploration of distant places and intimate spaces, united by a shared gaze attuned to shape, texture, and form. Through two distinct bodies of work—Uzbekistan Prints and Grand Forks Inkjet Prints—Gronhovd presents a compelling meditation on perception, memory, and materiality.
Pirjo Berg’s artwork is a captivating fusion of her Finnish heritage, deep appreciation for landscapes, and profound fascination with geology. Through her art, she seamlessly weaves together elements from her childhood, such as traditional Finnish decorations like striped rugs and woven hangings, which imbue her work with layers of nostalgia and longing.
Pirjo Berg was born in Helsinki, Finland. In 2000, she received her BFA from the School of Art and Media, Tampere, Finland. The same year she established her studio practice in Seattle, WA. In 2005 she graduated from the Artists Trust EDGE-Program. She now lives in Grand Forks, ND.
Congratulations to all recipients of the Mayor’s Choice Artist Award Winners!
2025 Paul Gronhovd
2024 Pirjo Berg
2023 Senta Lauren Grazdielewski | Muddy Waters Clay Center Monday Member Challenge
2022 North Star Quilters Guild and The River Forks Watercolor Society
2021 Madelyne Camrud | Todd Hebert | Grant McMillan
2020 Arts for Vets | Mary Kay Reitmeyer
2019 Beth Spencer | Carolyn Meisel
2018 Jessie Thorson
2017 Jeff Sprecher
2016 Hillary Kempenich
2015 Alisha B. Whitman | Britt Dalice | Courtney Olson | Judy Sorum
2014 Miranda Roen | Mountainbrook | Dyan Rey | Dave Bruner
2013 Jeanne Griffin O’Neil | Kathleen Ness | Therese Masters Jacobson | Beth Wold
2012 Jessica Pribula | Deborah Hanson | Heather Sabian
2011 Kim & Sue Fink | Caylan Van Larson | Jackie McElroy | Maria Thompson
2010 Xavier Pastrano | Kimberly Forness Wilson
pilLsbury park installation
Over the summer of 2024, the Public Arts Commission partnered with the City of Grand Forks to transform the empty commercial lot located beside the Urban Stampede, into a temporary art park. Through a public “call to artists”, three talented regional artists were selected - Adam Kemp, John Colle Rogers, and Micah McHugh. With a public celebration on November 1, 2024, Pillsbury Park unveiled its three new installations.
ADAM KEMP | School of Fish
The installation features the work of three talented local artists: Adam Kemp, John Colle Rogers, and Micah McHugh.
Adam Kemp has been working on his “School of Fish” project for over 20 years. The latest iteration begins in the village of Widdington at the Widdington Box Gallery, a restored phone box, and journeys all the way to Pillsbury Park. The “school” is a collaborative effort featuring fish created by his dad, his friend Mo, his brother Mat, three sushi chefs from Heathrow Airport, clients of DHI, and artists from Polk County DAC in East Grand Forks. Kemp shared his excitement about working with such a wide array of contributors, saying, “They knocked it out of the park—or rather, into the park. Although the trees are the true stars of the park, the sculptures created by so many talented people make it even more welcoming.” He credits Hanna Sage Kemp for encouraging him to complete the project.
John Colle Rogers contributed the whimsical pair of sculptures titled “Dancer and Player.” These works depict a looping relationship of inspiration, with the Dancer inspiring the Railroad Banjo Player and vice versa. The sculptures also incorporate elements of the Red River Valley’s history, including a railroad wheel and hammer for the Banjo, a Rail-worker’s lamp for the head of the Dancer, and Grain Elevator bodies and Tractor Wheels for both figures. Rogers shared his pleasure in helping to activate Pillsbury Park with these playful and meaningful works, offering thanks to everyone involved, including his fellow artists.
Micah McHugh brings their sculpture titled “Cora,” which is inspired by the rich beekeeping heritage of North Dakota, the leading honey-producing state in the U.S. McHugh’s work symbolizes the interconnectedness of life and the harmony found in nature, paying homage to the resilience and collaboration of the beekeeping community. Additionally, McHugh’s sculpture references the 1912 Votes for Women’s League gathering in Grand Forks, which helped spearhead women’s rights in North Dakota.
JOHN ROGERS | Dancer
JOHN ROGERS | Player
MICAH MCHUGH | Cora
business after hours
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Public Arts Commission, along with BBI International, hosted Business After Hours. This event was free to all Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce members. The event was held at the Grand Forks Curling Club, with food and drinks provided by Eagles Crest. Music was provided by the Grand String Quartet. PAC invited local arts organizations to share their groups and upcoming events to all attendees.
Participating arts Organizations at Business After Hours:
Grand Forks Childrens Museum
UND Theatre Department
Art Matters
BBI International
UND Music Department
River Forks Water Color Society
Arts for Vets
Empire Arts Center
SPA Summer Performing Arts
Northern Valley Youth Orchestra
Get in touch with us to learn more about how we’re bringing art to life in Grand Forks, ND! Whether you’re an artist, a collector, or simply a community member passionate about public art, we’d love to connect.
Contact us to explore ways to support, collaborate, or get involved in our upcoming projects and events!
STEPS TO COUNTER RISKS
PO Box 5330 Grand Forks, ND 58202 www.publicartnd.org info@publicartnd.org