JANUARY 5-30 IN BOTH GALLERIES

NORTH DAKOTA JURIED

STUDENT ART SHOW

Each spring, teachers of K-12 in North Dakota schools select student artwork to enter in the ND Juried Student Art Show, which is juried at the Taube Museum of Art in Minot.

Of the 610 entries this year, jurors selected three pieces for the Governor’s Award to be hung in Governor Armstrong’s office, four for the State of the Arts Award, sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer, four for the Northern Visions Award sponsored by Senator John Hoeven, and five for the Congressional Art Award. These selections will be hung in their offices for the year.

An additional 100 selections, including the Taube Museum of Art award winners, the People’s Choice, and Spotlight award winners, become a traveling exhibit for the following year.

Six Williston students are award winners this year.

Be sure to join us on Sunday, January 11th, from 2-3:30 PM for an artist reception.

DEC 1 - JAN 2 IN GALLERY I

WILLISTON STATE COLLEGE

STUDENT & STAFF

This collection of 2D & 3D art is brought to you by the students and staff of Williston State College.

Be sure to join us on Sunday, December 7th, from 2-3:30 PM for an artist reception!

DEC 1- JAN 2 IN GALLERY II

WHS ART STUDENT SHOW

The James loves to promote art for our area students, and this month we are hosting the artwork of Semester 1 WHS art students!

This exhibit showcases the creativity and talents of our High School artists, Beginner and Advanced.

Be sure to join us for an artist reception on Sunday, December 7th, from 2-3:30 PM.

NOVEMBER 3-28 IN GALLERY I

MELISSA GORDON

TAKE A WALK IN THE BADLANDS OF NORTH DAKOTA

This collection of paintings is the original gouache illustrations by Melissa Gordon from the children's book, "Take a Walk in the Badlands of North Dakota" by Sherry Niesar. Both are long-time residents of North Dakota and nature lovers. 

Sherry is a wildlife scientist and lifelong educator. She enjoys translating the natural world into everyday language for all ages in her college classes or by visiting schools. This collaboration between neighbors was a dream of Sherry's and brought to life with depictions of the wonders of the North Dakota Badlands by Melissa. 

This book was created for children everywhere, and copies of the book will be available for sale along with the exhibition. 

Melissa Gordon has been an artist all her life selling her first commissioned work at 12 years of age..She has won numerous awards for her realistic renderings around the state and has many works in private collections across the country. Melissa has had several solo shows and participates in many regional group shows throughout the year. Recently, she has become known for large-scale work done around the Bismarck-Mandan area, including her mural of Sitting Bull in Alley 5.5, which was featured on the cover of Parade Magazine. Other notable works include the Heritage Art Tunnel, Beauty at a Glance, Bismarck Veteran's Memorial Library, Department of Trust Lands, North Dakota League of Cities, and Mary Stark Elementary School. 

After over 10 years as a graphic artist, designer, and art director, she has worked independently for nearly twenty years as a freelance artist and illustrator. A highlight of her career came when she was chosen by Governor Doug Burgum for the North Dakota Governor's Individual Achievement Award for the Arts in February of 2021. She is also the 2016 Citation Award recipient at Bismarck Arts and Galleries and has won several Best of Show Awards with her work. 

Melissa also enjoys teaching and has taught in a variety of settings to age groups ranging from kindergarten to senior citizens, and has a special interest in at-risk groups. She belongs to many local arts organizations and was a founding member of Bismarck Downtown Artists Cooperative. She has served as a board member of Mandan Art Association, Dakota West Arts Council,, BSC Alumni Board, and was appointed to the North Dakota Council on the Arts in 2015 by Governor Jack Dalrymple. 

In addition to her work as an artist, she is also an active member of the community and does volunteer work for many area organizations, including Bismarck Arts and Galleries Association, Dakota West Arts Council, Special Olympics, Papa's Pumpkin Patch, and Arts For All..

Be sure to join us on Saturday, November 15th, from 2-3:30 PM for an artist reception!