Hooshang Khorasani & Austin Proctor ~ 4/3-30

In Gallery I ~ Hooshang Khorasani "Energy and Flow"

 Artist Statement

For me as I work, every second of feeling brings brush strokes on top of each other.  The result is brushwork completed over a period of time and days.  Later, I find that no change is possible because at that time, the finished work is locked.   It's not possible for even me to duplicate the piece – because that time and the feelings of that exact moment are past.  And tomorrow will be another day to start work again – and see where we will go.

The common theme for all my works is energy – energy in nature and the world around me, in moving colors that show power, in the inner life of my subjects.  I seek to unveil the mysteries and beauties of the universe.

Often, people ask me who my inspiration was in my artistic career.  Actually, I can't name anyone.  This doesn't mean I don't like other artists.  In fact, I've liked many other artists' work in my life.  But I just started digging in my own self to find me and start the expressing, the experiencing, the expansion.

 In Gallery II ~ Austin Proctor "Spirits"

Artist Statement

Why do I paint?

Why does anybody paint?

When I first started to go into art, I only made things that I thought people would like to see or expected from me. Luckily I stopped thinking that way…. See, not too long ago, I discovered my art itself did not only just have to be an image but also could make people feel and see things that weren’t just conveyed. Now I paint to create. I love to infuse my personal spiritual beliefs and emotions in a painting. Because of this, I get to watch people give off different emotions and reactions. I love feeling the energy they receive when they look at my art, and seeing how another person may view or take in my creations urges me to create more!

I paint because I want to inspire others to think and see things in many ways. I want people to look at things for more than what they are. I believe that portraiture and the human figure is fascinating. Our body language, facial expressions, and appearance all tell a story. This combined with spiritual symbols and use of color allow me to create and convey images of my own abstract and unconventional view of the world. Allowing people to see what it’s like to look at things differently and pay more attention to seeing the energy and emotions given off of people and places.

Williston Camera Club/ Woodworkers and Board of Directors Show

Please join us from March 10th through the 18th to view the wonderful works of the Williston Camera Club and the Williston Area Woodworkers Club.  The James will be open for extended hours including:  March 10th & 12th- 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on the 11th and 18th from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.  The Woodworkers will be holding a silent auction which will end on March 18th at 3:00  p.m.  

From March 21st through the 29th we will be exhibiting artwork from our Board of Directors.  Regular hours will resume.

We hope to see you during the month of March!

Williston State College Student Art Show

This February the James will once again be filled with WSC student art.  This show will feature work from nearly 40 students from WSC Art Instructor, Lino Azevedo's 2D design, 3D design, drawing, and painting classes.  

This show is held every February at the James.  "Having the show at the James is a great chance to expose the community to the young artists at WSC." explained Azevedo.

Artist reception will be held on Thursday, February 1st from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Works will be on display in February and through the first week in March.  

Be sure to stop by to view these creations by WSC's incredibly talented students.

The North Dakota Student Art Show

Students from across North Dakota submitted over 900 pieces of art to Minot's Taube Museum of Art to be considered for exhibition around the state.  Judges selected 100 pieces for the traveling exhibit.  The James is proud to congratulate six Williston artists who were chosen: Katarina Canerdy (Rickard School), Tytus Guglich (home schooled), Aubrianna Staloch (McVay School), Nevaeh Awne (Williston High School), Olivia Larson (Williston High School), and Ta'Niya Westmoreland (Williston High School).  Be sure to stop in to the James during the month of January to view this wonderful exhibit!  This show will be up from January the 2nd until the 31st.  

A public reception to honor these artists will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January the 18th.