Northwest Arts Center presents INT’L exhibitions, receives grant
MINOT, N.D. – As students return to campus for the Fall 2022 semester, they will find new pieces at the Northwest Arts Center’s annual “INT’L All Media 2022” and “INT’L Paperworks 2022” exhibitions, as well as the Best of Show winner, “Becoming American” from “All Media 2020.”
The juried exhibitions have gone through numerous changes — from the “National Print and Drawing Show” in 1969 to the “National Works on Paper Exhibition” encompassing artists across the United States in the 1980s to “Americas 2000” beginning in 1993. For 2022, the exhibitions have unveiled a new name to better represent the multi-country appeal and entrants.
“International entries were accepted since 1993 with the inaugural year of ‘All Media,’ but it was not self-evident, or specifically advertised for,” said Greg Vettel, Northwest Arts Center director. “We felt that a retitling was necessary, and a great way to start the next 50 years of exhibiting incredible contemporary artwork.”
This year’s INT’L exhibits feature 44 artworks by artists from the United States and Taiwan. The pieces were selected by juror Sarah Justice.
From Great Falls, Montana, Justice is a figurative sculptor whose work focuses on aspects of the human condition, digging deeply into the emotional and psychological realms of human consciousness throughout time.
“For this exhibition, there were 187 all media artworks entered, yet only about 40 to be selected for the exhibition,” said Justice. “This process is difficult for me as the juror because of the quality and worthiness of the submissions. I want to thank each artist for participating and for making outstanding work.
“The artworks submitted highlight this moment in time in our world and all the happenings surrounding the environment, the human condition, power constructs, and issues surrounding equality and good versus evil, beauty, and the abject. These artists are the conduit for truth, historical documentation, and expression of what is currently happening in our world.”
The Northwest Arts Center is open to the public and “INT’L All Media 2022” and “INT’L Paperworks 2022” will run through Sept. 16. Fall hours for the Center are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 1-5 p.m.
“One of the best times to visit the Northwest Arts Center is during an exhibition reception,” said Vettel. “Often you get to speak with the juror or artists and gain new insight into the process of selecting a show or creating the work. It’s a great experience, especially if you’ve ever thought to yourself, ‘well, what does it mean?’”
A closing reception and online viewing for the INT’L exhibitions will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6:30-8 p.m. with a juror’s talk and awards at 7 p.m. Awards include Best of Show, Merit, and Purchase Awards.
Also on display during the month of September is “Becoming American,” by artist and fashion designer Dog Kyu Kim. Kim, recently of Los Angeles, California, was named Best of Show in the “Americas 2020: All Media” juried competition.
Growing up in South Korea in the 1980s and 90s and later emigrating to the United States, his solo exhibition presents mixed media artworks that explore his journey and what it means to be an American.
Kim will be at Minot State University for the opening reception of “Becoming American” on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. He will present to students and the public on Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. in the Art Seminar Lecture Series in Memorial Hall Room 114.
In support of providing regional arts programming, the Northwest Arts Center was awarded an $8,285 grant by the North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) in July.
The Center, with its supporting organization, the Art Friends of the Northwest Arts Center, was among 58 recipients of the most recent institutional support grants awarded the by NDCA.
“The NDCA grant helps the Northwest Arts Center continue its vital role as an educational and cultural resource for Northwest North Dakota,” said Vettel. “The funds provide support for staffing, programming, and operations on a recurring annual basis. We are very appreciative of the support we receive from the Council on the Arts.”
The current exhibitions at the Center are examples of the programming supported by the grant.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 08/25/22 |
