BEMIDJI — The Watermark Art Center in Bemidji hosts a variety of arts experiences this April.
Gallery exhibits, spoken word events, and educational opportunities are happening both inside the Watermark and at other locations around Bemidji.
On display in galleries
The four galleries inside the Watermark this month take viewers on an adventure of arts through the ages.
The Bemidji State University Harlow | Kleven Gallery features a curated collection of prints and sculptures, some hundreds of years old, in “A Celebration of Women Artists.”
The Miikanan Gallery featuring Indigenous art hosts "Aanikoosijigaade – It Is Linked," a multimedia collaboration between Joan Kauppi and Shaawan Francis Keahna. The exhibit considers identity, melding Native wisdom and sensibilities with today’s cultural environment.
The Marley & Sandy Kaul Gallery showcases the High School Invitational, including works from art students at Bemidji, Trek North, LaPorte and Voyageurs Expeditionary high schools. The public is invited to visit the Watermark and vote on the People’s Choice Awards for the High School Invitational before April 15.
The Lakeview Gallery takes on the feel of walking through a fairy tale with "Wild Whimsy of the Northwoods," a collection of stories and colorful, woodland scenes by artist and writer Diamond Knispel.
Behind the mic
Watermark’s spoken word events this month invite the community to engage in original literary arts, off-campus. A Story Slam with the theme of “Spark” is happening Tuesday, April 11, at Bemidji Brewing, and the next Poetry Slam will happen Thursday, April 20, at Fozzie’s Smoking Barbeque in Bemidji.
Upcoming classes and opportunities to gather and create include a weekly Thursday beading circle with master bead artist Thomas Stillday, a shirred rug making experience with Starr Ann Lenz on Saturdays, April 8 and 15, and a Maker Meet coming up April 27 at Cantabria Coffee. The Makers Meet event invites creators to bring projects to work on or take advantage of the project of the evening led by an area artist.
During the Friday, April 7, Area Voices segment on the KAXE Morning Show, Watermark Executive Director Lori Forshee-Donnay discussed the many ways Watermark serves the community.
"There's so many people who want to connect and create, and I think that's what's unique about Bemidji and our area," Forshee-Donnay said. "There's a lot of artists, makers, people who want to explore things. And, we've seen, I think, a greater, renewed interest in that since COVID as well.
" ... We're finding people want to try something that they've never done before or expand their knowledge, and they're hungry for that kind of activity. And it's really a natural for them to connect with the arts, to see what other people are doing — whether it's through an exhibit or an artist presentation or a class, or just connecting with people who are creating and learning from that.
"I learn something new every day when I work with artists.”
More information about activities, exhibits, events and even rain gardens can be found on the Watermark website.
Area Voices is made possible by the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of MN.
