Current Exhibits
Bro Halff “Westward Ho!” in both Galleries
Please join us for an Artist Reception on Friday, July 16th, from 7 - 8:30 PM
“Grain Silos at Sunset”
Since 1972, Bro Halff has pursued an artistic career that encompasses visual poetry, painting and sculpting. His visual poetry fuses linguistic, visual and sculptural elements into beautiful artworks, which give each poem a spatial reality. His watercolors depict, with radiant colors and bold composition, rural, urban and small-town America. His education includes: B.A., Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas (1968); M.A. (1973) and M.L.A. (1980), with honors, in creative writing and history of ideas, respectively, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and advanced courses in art and literature, Santa Monica College and UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, and UCSD, San Diego, CA. Mr. Halff has worked as a writer, editor, artist, and publisher since 1978. Representative collections holding
his works include the Rare Book Collection, New York City Public Library, New York City, NY, the Fine Arts Library, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, and the Milton Eisenhower Library, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Representative exhibits include shows at the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA, the Guggenheim Gallery, Chapman College, Orange, CA (Honorable Mention, "California Currents" exhibit), the San Diego Art Institute, and the Bayfront Gallery, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA, and the San Diego Museum of Art. Mr. Halff’s 2007 exhibits include juried shows in Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Texas, and California. A number of his works have won awards at exhibits around the country. One of his watercolors has been shown in the prestigious California Watercolor Association’s Annual National Exhibition. Mr. Halff has authored a number of limited-edition volumes of poetry. He also has written two books of watercolors, poetry, and prose sketches about North Dakota, entitled North Dakota Days and North Dakota Travels. Seasonal Delights, a book of Mr. Halff's poetry and pen-and-ink drawings, was published in 1999 by the Mellen Poetry Press. Seasonal Delights describes diverse scenes of American life, as they are affected by the seasons. He is currently completing two books of watercolors and poetry about San Diego. Mr. Halff's style emphasizes strong imagery and lyricism. Robert Pincus, Arts Critic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, has called Mr. Halff's artwork "impressive in its variety...traces of e.e. cummings' whimsicality are in his lines..." Richard Hamburger, the late Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center, described Mr. Halff’s work as "...joyful and sensitive poetry... with a Haiku-like quality that implicitly tells us to seize the present moment." Mr. Halff resides on Kaua’i, in Hawaii, and in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Mr. Halff’s books North Dakota Days and North Dakota Travels are both available for purchase at the James during the month of July. Hardback and paperback copies are available.
Williston Area Visual Artists "Variety of Expressions" in Gallery I
Please join us for an Artist Reception on Friday, June 11 from 7-8:30 PM.
WAVA (Williston Area Visual Artists)
“Variety of Expressions”
WAVA’s exhibit is filled with several artists’ work providing a nurturing and supportive environment by which artists feel inspired and encouraged to pursue the arts in various media.
Whether you are a beginner and want to learn more, or an advanced artist, everyone is welcome. WAVA meets every third Wednesday of the month at 7 PM in the lower level of the James Memorial Art Center (north door).
Dawson Shafer "Landscapes & Luxuries" in Gallery II
Please join us for an Artist Reception on Friday, June 11, from 7-8:30 PM.
DAWSON SHAFER
I was born and raised in North Dakota and am currently 20 years old. Since I was little, I always loved making art of all kinds, and I’m eager to continue honing my skills as an artist.
I started painting about nine months ago after I took a class at Williston State College. If it were not for having such a great teacher experience, I don’t think I would have gravitated so heavily towards painting. Now I love it, and I hope to be able to continue doing it for the rest of my life, whether that means for hobby’s sake or as a career.
Painting has helped teach me many things about life in the short time I’ve been doing it, and I anticipate many more lessons ahead. I’m thankful for the James allowing me this opportunity, and I’m also thankful for everyone who has ever supported my art and my journey.