Issue 164: January – March, 2023

Mindi Schmitz Executive Director

We are so proud of our Arts After School Program, the instructors, the students, and the supporters. Arts After School is one of our cornerstone programs. It started in 1999 after a community survey listed arts as one of the most valuable assets for youth development, yet was one of the least available in Jamestown.

Arts After School is a creative alternative to traditional after school care for elementary aged children. It provides innovative, arts-based programming for youth every day of the school year at The Arts Center in downtown Jamestown. Transportation is provided from all Jamestown elementary schools to The Arts Center for the program, and home at the end of the day.

We know we are filling a need; according to the Americans for the Arts, students who are involved in the arts are:

4 4x more likely to participate in a math and science fairs

4 3x more likely to win an award for school attendance

4 4x more likely to be recognized for academic achievements

4 3x more likely to be elected to a class office

The study also found that low income students who are highly engaged in the arts are more likely than their peers with low arts involvement to have obtained gainful employment, complete college, and volunteered in their community.

Our Arts After School Program is filling a need in our community. We are proud of it, and appreciate all of our community support of the program. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we didn’t have to turn any students away because of capacity? All of our classes have a waiting list, the demand for this program is high and our space is limited. Or if we could expand our programming to younger students and middle school? Just a dream of mine, or is it?… stay tuned.

Sincerely,

MUSEUM INSPIRATION works by Linda Olson

Exhibits: December 15, 2022 – January 28, 2023

“I am a maker. I love making objects. I get lost in the process, and I find getting lost the most important aspect of making. Art objects in history and antiquity, and thus Museums, are a primary inspiration for my work. Chinese celadon vessels, Greek amphoras and Japanese tea bowls are some of the areas that inform my own ceramic making.”

Linda Olson has taught at Minot State University since 1990. Olson has worked extensively documenting Native American rock art sites in the United States since 1988. Documentation is presented for exhibition with interpretive text panels detailing recording techniques, rock art imagery and researched information.

Linda Olson was raised in McHenry County, ND. Olson graduated from Drake High School with Honors, and from Minot State University Cum laude with majors in Art, English and Psychology. Olson earned a Master of Arts, Magna cum laude, in 1987 from the University of Montana and a Master of Fine Arts, Magna cum laude, from the University of North Dakota in 1990.

These exhibitions are sponsored by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association with support from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Jessica Wachter: My Journey Around the Sun

Exhibits: February 2 – March 11

Jessica Wachter is a highly-acclaimed abstract expressionist artist based in Bismarck, ND. Her mixed media and oil on canvas work is strongly gestural and often large in scale. Her work contains personal celebrations, struggles, joys, loves, and losses conveyed through the use of color, texture, and composition. Working with abstraction, Jessica seeks to imbue the work with a tangible essence while keeping it open for the viewers’ own response. Jessica’s pieces reside in public and private collections throughout the world. Jessica and her work have been acclaimed in major publications and media.

Susan Brekke: To Make a Prairie

Exhibits: March 16 – April 29

I create what is important to me. Paint and clay help me express the joy I feel when I see the first flowers of spring blooming. I infuse my paintings and handbuilt ceramics with emotion, so it is more than just a colorful canvas or a bright bowl; I want my artwork to be a testament to the best, most beautiful things this world has to offer. Through my paintings, I bring the outside in. I strive to create an immersive, emotional experience. Real life has texture and dimension and emotion! I paint on large canvases to suggest the immersive, emotional experience you feel when squinting at an electric sunset or opening the curtains on a gentle snowfall. When painting, I work with acrylics. I use wet wipes, q-tips, and a palette knife to capture movement and life; sometimes I use my fingers and hands, too! Although an added dimension, my approach to ceramics is identical to that of painting. I do hand-built ceramics that are expressive and colorful.

Jessica Wachter at exhibition. From the cover: Detail of one of Jessica’s pieces.

A Lily, Susan Brekke, Acrylic on canvas

JOIN US AS WE OPEN A NEW EXHIBIT IN STYLE

Perfectly Paired is a wonderful fine arts experience coupled with wine & cheese and the opening of the exhibit “This is my Journey Around the Sun” works by Jessica Wachter.

February 2 starting at 7:00 pm • $40 per person

Call the office at 701-251-2496 to make your reservations or visit www.jamestownarts.com to reserve your tickets online.

The next Perfectly Paired exhibit experience is scheduled for March 16, reservations will be available online at www.jamestownarts.com or by calling the office at 701-251-2496.

gallery talk

ATTENTION AREA ARTISTS

Sapphire Gallery & Custom Framing-Carrington gallery space is available for your very own month long ‘art show.” Exclusive gallery space for one month. Contact 701-302-0234 or visit: sapphiregalleryjamestown@gmail.com for details!

MEET THE ARTISTS

Check out our new feature “Meet the Artstis.” Currently featuring wet plate photographer Shane Balkowistch. Shane operates a Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio in Bismarck.

“I am practicing the historical wet plate collodion process from 1851 of pure silver on black stained glass. I have original plates in 60 museums including the Smithsonian, The Royal Photographic Society, Library of Congress and the worldfamous Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford to name a few. There are less than 1000 wet plate collodion practitioners presently practicing in the world.” Visit our website to read the full interview and see more of his wet plate photos (www.jamestownarts.com).

Above: Eunice Straight Head, Shane Balkowistch

Below: Shane Balkowistch in studio, Peter Skrlep

Shane Balkowistch outside his studio, Tom Wirtz

upcoming classes

providing opportunities for artistic development and exploration

CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS & TEENS

Pre-registration required. Find all details and registration at: www.jamestownarts.com

Say Happy Valentine’s Day with CLAY FOR COUPLES

Sunday, February 12 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm or Tuesday, February 14 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm $65 / $50 for members. Space is limited (only 5 couples per class).

Clay for Couples is designed for couples or friends that want to do something different. We want you to learn what it takes to throw a pot, but it’s just as important to us that you have a good experience. This 2 hour class will give you the chance to try out a potter’s wheel and get your hands dirty, while our instructor helps you to make your own unique pot. We provide everything you need. All you have to do is come ready to have a good time We will finish and fire one piece per person in the glaze of your choice. Work will be finished and ready for you to pick up in approximately 2 weeks after the class.

CHARCUTERIE with Velka Boards

Friday, February 10 @ 7:00 pm - Beer pairings

Saturday, February 11 @ 1:00 pm - Wine pairings

Saturday, February 11 @ 7:00 pm - Wine pairings

$100 / $85 for members

An event crafted with tastings, design tips and tricks from the team at Velka Boards. You will leave with your very own charcuterie creation on a Velka crafted board. More at: velkaboards.com.

LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS TO ACRYLIC PAINTING

with Linda Roesch

Tuesdays in March (7, 14, 21 and 28) from 6:30 – 8:00 pm • $140 / $125 for members Join Linda to learn about the basics of acrylic painting. Learn how Linda gets the rich depth, mystical worlds, and quick moving lines in her acrylic painting. You will leave the class knowing more about acrylic paint bodies, canvases, brushes and how to use color theory to enhance your painting. Class fee covers a real good time and a beginner painting kit. Both beginners or intermeate participants will benefit from this class.

CREATIVE AFTER SCHOOL FUN FOR GRADES 3, 4, 5 & 6

Arts After School Program

3 School days from 3:30 – 5:00 pm

3 After school snack included

3 Scholarships available

3 Bus transportation provided (in town only) 3 Pre-registration required

The Arts After School program runs from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. Parents should be prompt in picking up their child at 5:00 pm if not riding the bus. Find all the details at www.jamestownarts.com.

Ceramic Hand Building with Bill Nybo • January 3 – 27

Kids will have a blast expressing themselves artistically through the medium of clay. In this class kids will learn to design and make hand-built pottery and ceramic sculpture using various techniques such as slab construction, coiling, and pinching. Glazing techniques will also be taught in this class. *NO School January 16

Weaving with Dina Laskowski • January 30 – February 3

Learning to weave is the best way to practice calm focus with creativity. Your kids will explore the basics of beginner weaving techniques, learning how to weave yarns to create unique original designs.

Watercolor with Linda Roesch • February 6 – 10

Students will be introduced to the beginning basics of watercolor by exploring different techniques and tricks as we do a complete paintings. We will be using all types of watercolor such as pans, tubes, and watercolor pencils.

Story, Space, and the Stage with Cory A. Foth • February 13 – 24

In this class, we will work with the basic building blocks of acting: the script, moving through our space, and how to create characters for the stage. Each class will build on concepts presented in previous sessions and allow kids to explore such abstract ideas as motivation and empathy when preparing a part. *NO School February 17 & 20

Drawing with Linda Roesch • February 27 – March 9

Artists draw inspiration from many different sources. In this 2 week drawing class, students will experience how artists reference a variety of sources as they draw from life, from imagination, from photograph, and from memory. They’ll learn to see characters in dots and splatters, and they’ll see how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to enhance the artist’s vision for creating their sculpture, painting, drawing, and so much more! *NO School March 10

Dino Drawing with Brooke Wickens • March 13 – 17

The kids will learn how to draw their own charming dinosaur characters and experiment with expressions, personality, and backstory to give their dinosaurs life.

Fundamentals of Cake Design with Brooke Wickens • March 21 – 24 Students will get to decorate cupcakes with different buttercream piping techniques and also dive into sculpting fondant animals. *NO School March 20

Sewing with Sherry McGuire • March 27 – 31 Sherry will spark student’s creativity with a sewing project done by hand and a brief introduction to the sewing machine.

Clay Masks with Bill Nybo • April 3 – 14 Super hero’s, animals and monsters— here’s your chance to make a mask out of clay! You’ll be given wet clay to shape your very own clay mask. During our class you’ll receive lessons on the materials and tools you’ll use. Bill with show you have to build, sculpt, and glaze. *NO School April 7

The purpose of Arts After School is to provide arts enrichment activities for students to acquire new skills, build on and explore a variety of art media and experiment with ways of communication. Learning artistic modes of problem solving increases a student’s ability to make decisions in situations where there are no standard answers.

**As winter presists remember that The Arts Center follows the JPS schedule and choices in inclement weather situations.

Programs supported in part by United Way, Hugo’s Marketplace, Walmart, Optimist Club and BNSF Railway.

Artwork by Linda Roesch

behind the scenes

We would like to thank alll of our many volunteers! AND a special shout out to Sharon Vixo, who helps the office out almost every Wednesday. She even walked in the -15º degree temps, wind and snow (as of this printing) to help out!

Mark your calendars for GIVING HEARTS DAY

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

For those that don’t already know, Giving Hearts Day is a one-day only opportunity to multiply the impact of your gift to non-profits in North Dakota. Which can dramatically improve quality of life for people in our community.

Dakota Medical and Impact Foundation hosts this 24-hour online event. Gifts of $10 or more will be matched 100% up to $4,000. So your generosity is multiplied!

Remember to give online on Giving Hearts Day, February 10th. Here is how: On February 10th go to givingheartsday.org and click “Donate” to make your donation. You can find us under “The Arts Center” or Arts and Culture category, it’s simple. (You can also schedule gifts in advance).

Double the impact! All donations of $10 or more will be matched up to $4,000. Thank you for remembering The Arts Center this Giving Hearts Day, and for giving with your whole heart!!

WRITERS CLUB

2nd Monday of the Month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm

This group welcomes all writers or those just looking to explore writing. Share what you’re writing with some fresh ears. Critique and help one another along in the process. Get helpful tips from some of the more experienced in the group and move your own project along. Meets in the Hansen Studio.

OPEN MIC NIGHT

Last Thursday of each month 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.

WOODCARVERS GROUP

Thursdays at 6:00 pm in the Hansen Studio

Stop by and whittle away! The local Woodchippers club meets Thursday nights at 6:00 pm. All skill levels are welcome to join in. If you are just starting out, this group is always willing to share and advise for your development and success working with wood. It is free to attend, no reservations are necessary.

BUFFALO CITY PHOTO CLUB

Third Tuesday of the Month in the Hansen

Studio

The local band of photo enthusiasts will be meeting again. You can join them the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Hansen Arts Studio for a photography adventure. Topics are focused primarily for DSLR camera users. Free and open to anyone. In nicer weather we may venture outside for hands on experiences.

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!

The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contribution may be deductible. Check with your tax representative for details.