Easy Ways To Experience Remarkable Art In Bismarck

Easy Ways To Experience Remarkable Art In Bismarck

Just like opening a bag of Skittles, North Dakota is a rainbow of colors. But you have to get off the interstate to find your rainbow. In truth, getting off the interstate is the only way to experience this legendary state. Sure, the state is known for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, agriculture, natural resources, the nation’s largest honey producer, and Josh Duhamel, but Bismarck’s dynamic art community is a hidden gem.  

The state’s slogan is simple. Be Legendary. Have you imagined local artists in this role? Follow along as we show how Bismarck, North Dakotan artists are becoming legendary by blazing their trail. From public art galleries, vending machines, tunnels, and tractors, see why you need to visit now.

*Full Disclosure: When Travel North Dakota and Bismarck-Mandan CVB invited us to visit Bismarck, we jumped at the chance. This legendary state has been on our road trip radar for some time, so we were excited to take a closer look. But, of course, all opinions are our own.

 

Bismarck Art Alley 5.5: Reflections Of North Dakota

 

Bismarck’s Alley 5.5 is a must-see attraction. Twenty-two enormous spirited murals line the alley connecting 5th and 6th streets between Main and Broadway streets. Dakota West Arts Council spearheaded the project along with the 2016 Leadership Bismarck Mandan Project Team and the community. Which ones stand out to you?

Bismarck High School Steam Punk Mural: Bryce Federer, Echo Fontenelle, Gracie Grothe, Nick Jessen, Corynne Krenz, Lilly Lepp, Kaelen Macdonald, Rayva Mertz, Shelby Rooker, Rosabel Seiler, Emily Wangler, Paul Noot, Instructor

 “The mural is about collectively being inclusive in our Bismarck community and North Dakota. The main portraits are well-known alumni from Bismarck High, and all three shaped the ideas and theme. Each student designed a rubber ducky that told their personal story. The mural is about ND and the journey we take as individuals. The piece is full of symbolism unique to each artist who had a hand in creating it.” Paul Noot

Sitting Bull: Melissa Gordon

Mike Renner

Molly McLain: Scandinavian Floral Column, left column

“It’s called Grandma’s Pickles, and it’s based on a pantry of handmade goodies and those memories from growing up.”  

Nicole Gagner

Rodeo Bulls: Elizabeth White

Elizabeth catches the energy of rodeo bulls by using two techniques from artists that inspire her.  

First, children’s book illustrator, Tedd Arnold, uses watercolors and colored pencils which he calls “scribbles.”  Elizabeth likes to call her technique “squiggles.”

Second, Georges Seurat’s pointillism style makes two colors of dots appear to create a different color when viewed from a distance.  Can you see how this works with her “squiggles?”

53 North Dakota Counties: Paul Noot

Paul Captures North Dakota’s fifty three counties surrounded by the state’s essential  hallmarks.

Andrea Ficek Falcon

Column to left of sun: Angie Swiec Kambeitz

Mitch Sanders

Wall Of Faces: Bailey White

Bryan Kroh

Graffiti Pheasant: Grant Hicks aka “sand13”

Maddie Hansen Monzelowsky

Neon Bull Skull: Erika Gallaway

Dennis Houle

Thisa Quick Bear

Claire Wiseman

Kim Olson

Bottom left, Anne Dramko

Right, Going Home: Mahalia Mees

 

Art Vending Machines From Meadowlark Mercantile

 

What do you do with an old vending machine? Sell local art, of course! That’s what Nicole Gagner of Meadowlark Mercantile does.

I started the machines as a way to put art out into the world in unexpected places. Unattended retail is very unintimidating and low risk, so it allows people to dip a toe into collecting local art in a very approachable way, while also getting local artists seen in new ways.

Nicole Gagner

Nicole refurbishes old vending machines and then fills them with art created by local artists. Along with art, she stocks vintage and collectible pieces. Sales from the machines help support local artists and makers but also emphasize making art more convenient to find. Furthermore, local artists find it easier to promote their art and find local customers. 

Kids and adults love shopping because you never know what you’ll find! You can find Nicole’s art vending machines in six locations. Five in Bismarck-Mandan and one in Fargo help support 30 local artists. Visit all six, if possible, but we recommend starting with the machine in the Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau. Not only can you find fun art in the vending machine, but you can also shop for local North Dakota products inside. Bismarck amazed us with so many enjoyable things to see and do. You’ll want to stop here anyway to stock up on info.

Types Of Art For Sale By Meadowlark Mercantile

In a meeting at Brick Oven Bakery, she brought a few items she makes and then sells in her vending machines. Buttons made from old repurposed North Dakota maps were our favorite. We also had fun with a pack of 50 trivia questions on ten cards made from vintage board games. Weeks later, we are still debating the question, “Would you rather be in a deep lake, 5 miles from shore in a rowboat with a slight but steady leak – OR – in a hot air balloon one mile high, with a slight, but steady leak?” Which one would you choose?

More Examples Of Art Pieces For Sale:

• Buttons
• Handmade ceramic dishes from Nodakian
• Handmade one of a kind mystery packs
• Paintings
• Mini watercolor painting kit
• Cards
• Prints
• Woof-Da dog Art
• Intricate beaded jewelry
• Trivia
• Games
• Hand-cut vinyl stickers by Fargo artist Not Hideus
• Grab bags
• Mini harmonica less than two inches long
• Find your inner patty animal
• Road trip mascots

Pieces usually cost between $5 to $25, but some machines have items up to $75.

Meadowlark Mercantile also sells art boxes as part of the Bismarck Community Supported Art program. Each package includes three pieces of locally created art. Nicole brought a sample that had a handmade pottery vase, dried flowers, and digital art.

Bismarck’s Heritage Art Tunnel

Check out the Heritage Art Tunnel for another impressive public art display in Bismarck. The tunnel connects North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum to Myron Atkinson park.

So the meaning is based on connections in the form of a computer motherboard. Go through North Dakota’s history in sequence, from prehistoric to modern-day, with its two primary industries, energy and agriculture.

The North Dakota-influenced icons are in the form of Charley Harper style Modernism. Images represent energy on the north side of the tunnel, similar to the state. Look for natural gas, coal, biofuels, solar, and hydropower. Similarly, the south side represents agriculture, farming, and ranches. You’ll see the four growing regions, significant crops, how people influence agriculture, and their equipment.

North Dakota Rural Tractor Art

Although Bismarck is loaded with public art, you can also find it in rural North Dakota. We came across tractor art while exploring backroads and small towns around Bismarck. For example, Tuttle (population 62) lies off Highway 36, one hour northeast of the state capitol. We drove through town to the end of the road to the old school. Now, the school is used for artists and makers to meet. Tractor art in Tuttle is another reason you need to get off the interstate and two-lane highways to explore because you never know what you might find!

Final Thoughts About Art In Bismarck

Do you envision a vibrant art scene when North Dakota comes to mind? In reality, most people don’t, but they should. For two months before visiting, we asked people in person and through social media what to do in North Dakota. Blank stares and crickets.  

We want others to see how North Dakota is a destination, not a pass-through state. We’ll write more articles, so watch this space.

Did you see North Dakota differently? We’d love to hear what you have to say. Simply leave us a comment or ask any questions you might have in the box below.

 

You Might Also Like

29 Epic Reasons To Love Rochester, Minnesota

Life In The Crokicurl National Championship

Make Memories On The Exciting Madeline Island Ice Road