February Exhibits: Garrett Norsten's "Photographs by Rascal" in Gallery I & Sarah Wilson-Boda's "Enigmatic" in Gallery II

Garrett Nosten’s exhibit entitled, “Photographs by Rascal” will be on display in Gallery I starting Sunday, February 2nd until Friday, February 28th. “Garrett is 24 and was born & raised in Central Minnesota. He moved to Williston to chase the dream in 2015. Garrett has been taking pictures since he was in 4th grade. He mainly focuses on nature and landscape photography but he isn’t scared to do self portraits. Most of Garrett’s photographs are taken with an iPhone!” -Garrett Norsten

The James will hold an Artist Reception for Garrett Norsten and Sarah Wilson-Boda on Friday, February 7th from 7:00-8:30 pm. Come chat with the artists and enjoy some light refreshments. Open to the public!

Sarah Wilson-Boda’s exhibit entitled, “Enigmatic” will be on display in Gallery II starting Sunday, February 2nd until Friday, February 28th. “Enigmatic” is a collection close to my heart because there is a deep meaning to me behind every piece. However, if you ask me what that meaning is, I will not tell you. One thing I’ve always adored about any work of art, is the way the viewer interprets it. It’s easier to form a connection with a piece, if what you decided it’s telling you isn’t sullied by any preconceived definition by the artist. I’ve named them what I would name them, but you may decide you would’ve named a piece differently. I love that. If you have found your own name for it, that means you’ve made your own connection. My goal with anything I create, whether it be a charcoal piece, a painting , or any of my theater project, is to spread, not joy, but contemplation.”-Sarah Wilson-Boda

Come see things through Garrett and Sarah’s perspectives and view their incredibly unique exhibits, you wont want to miss these!

North Dakota Student Art Show at the James January 5th-31st, 2020

The North Dakota Student Art Show features North Dakota youth’s art from all over the state. The North Dakota Student art Show will be on display at the James Memorial Art Center, in both galleries, January 5th-31st. The James will hold an Artist Reception on January 18th, 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend, come show your support for our youth artists.

This exhibit is presented by the Taube Museum of Art

Trish Stevenson's and Afton Ray-Rossol's Duo show "Red Dirt Rambles"

Trish Stevenson’s and Afton Ray-Rossol’s duo show entitled, “Red Dirt Rambles” is on display at the James Memorial Art Center in Gallery I throughout the month of December. They named their duo show, “Red Dirt Rambles” with inspiration by their deep connection to the Mon-Dak region.

Trish Stevenson was surrounded by the ranching country of Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota, she is inspired to paint the people, animals, and actions of the West, focusing on the portrayal of spirit and attitude. She attributes her biggest influence to the memories of summer on the Little Missouri and her grandfather, a tall-tale telling, former bronc rider who loved horses. She was fascinated by the rodeos and brandings he took her to see as a child, which made a deep impression on Trish and still influences what she paints today. Trish’s artwork has been featured in “Western Horseman", exhibited at the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, KY and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Recent exhibits include the Bosque Art Classic, Texas, The Mountain Oyster Show, Tuscon and the Out West Art Show in Great Falls, MT. Trish’s painting of a Bronc rider was selected for the 2017 Greeley Stampede Purchase Award, and was featured on the 2018 posters and is now in their permanent collection.

Afton Ray-Rossol was born in Williston, ND and raised in Sidney, MT. Her family encouraged her art as she grew and several awards were won as a student. Afton studied art at DCC in Glendive, MT and it was there that she started developing her contemporary watercolor style. Since 2006, she has been operating her own buisness, the GalleRay with 17 years of framing and matting experience. She teaches youth art as well through workshops and classes. Afton has shown in several art fairs throughout the MonDak region and Central Montana. She has participated in The Waterworks Exhibits and Shows, Auction, and Quickdraw in Miles City, MT. She has been featured at The Gallery in Glendive, MT and has been the featured artist at Sidney, Montana’s Sunrise Festival of Arts. In 2013 her design was chosen by George Strait in a poster contest to be used for his promotional purposes. A best of Show award was received during the James Memorial Small Works show in 2018.

Afton Ray-Rossol’s “Like A Rock”

Trish Stevenson’s “War Party”

Daphne Clark's "A Disappearing Life"

Local artist, Daphne Clark, was raised in rural North Dakota only three miles from the Montana border. Her grandparents had a ranch 10 miles from her childhood home. She spent most of her childhood at their ranch; chasing cows, building fences, milking cows and helping check for spring calves. There is a rough beauty to this area that few people get to enjoy.

“Every day in America, there is a tragic loss of family owned, working ranches and wild places. Through my paintings, I am working to capture this, before it disappears altogether. I want to provide a window into a world of how ranchers work, and to commemorate the disappearing landscape and animals.”

“Through my artwork, I feel an ovligation to tell the story of these ranchers, animals and lands as it really is. In presenting their story with form and color I am reliving my childhood memories, honoring them and keeping this disappearing lifestyle and nature alive.”-Daphne Clark

Daphne will be donating 10% of her art sales from now until the end of the year to “Farm Rescue” as a thank you to our famers and ranchers. She has pieces for sale down at the James this month. Stop on down and purchase some art work and support living artists as well as farmers and ranchers.