Shaping the Future
Growing up in Bismarck, North Dakota gave me an appreciation for what it means to have the right opportunities to grow professionally as a creative. I think sometimes people have the misconception that out here in the Midwest, it might be a rare place for art to flourish. Sure, there are ways to make more room for emerging artists and art students, yet there is something beautiful happening behind the scenes on a smaller scale. The places in which art lives out here are where opportunity is slowly cultivated, nourished, and appreciated when the time is right.
Feeling Inspired
As a former student of Bismarck High School (BHS), I can remember how being in art class opened my eyes to the possibilities of how I could someday become a full-time working artist. A big part of this push forward was thanks to art educators, like my art teacher Mr. Paul Noot, who is still working with students at BHS as an art educator, as well as other inspirational figures like my great grandmother and grandmother, who was an artist herself. These two women always believed in my creative potential and helped shape my future as a working artist from an early age.
Because I received such a positive experience that encouraged me to follow my true calling, this is something that stuck with me. A sentiment I want to share with others, including potential young artists here in Bismarck. I believe in doing so, and we can show the youth the infinite possibilities of what they choose to do career-wise. They can see how they can be successful in the long run, and give value back to our local communities in their own ways. This is how the arts can grow even further in the Midwest, and I’ve always been a strong advocate of that.
The Project
It is the sense of community, which inspired me to pitch an art project to the Dakota Western Arts Council (DWAS) to work with Bismarck High School (BHS) and bring art to life for one day for all the students at the school, not just art students which were close to 1,200 students total. I had the pleasure of working once again with Mr. Noot and with Ms. Sletten, who kindly helped make the project possible through completion, for which I am deeply grateful.
Pictured with some students from Mr. Noot and with Ms. Sletten’s classes. 
After speaking with Michael J. Strand, the NDSU Director and Professor of School of Design, Architecture & Arts, he shared with our board members a group project revolving around clay and leaving our imprint, which sparked a universal and conceptual art idea in me to carry on a similar project with the students at BHS. The concept behind it was for students to leave an imprint of themselves within the world.
The Process
I started the project by asking students to create clay shapes from their elbows and hands and to view this creation as an extension of themselves since these small pieces of pottery would be symbolic of aspects of their personalities. You see, the goal was for the shapes to symbolize a small unique part of each student.
“We can’t always see our own formation when it’s taking place - we’re clay on life’s wheel, unable to predict the forces that will shape us. But time does always tell ”
I asked the students to expand on the feeling of sharing their similarities with others, but also being okay with those aspects of themselves that make them different. I also challenged them to view these differences as colors, and we had the chance to place colored circles all throughout the hallway like a wave motion. The shapes symbolized how we all bring distinct attributes to the world individually and add to the collective experience.
I even placed one of my canvases painted with many shades within the space to show that these colors or “differences” merge and make one beautiful piece overall. It is like a reflection of life for me, as all circles were different shapes and sizes, and some students even stacked the paper or cut it out differently, giving each its own space within the whole. It served as a reminder in life that we all take distinct directions to where we want to go in our individual journeys. I was happy to be the guide as the students developed their own voices through the project.
Then, it was time for the big reveal to the hundreds of BHS students, who could walk by our art project during the in-between class period. I had the students who participated in the project hand out real flowers to their fellow students as a reminder of how it is the little things like an art experience or a small gift that can make our day or life better. It was great to see this conceptual art project evolve as the day went on as the students interacted with each other and with the entire piece.
Moving Forward
This wonderful project made me realize that life is definitely more complex for each person than when you first glance at it, just like the art installation itself, and isn’t that something? If we look beyond the surface and take the time to invest or manifest what we believe in, then it can become a beautiful creation in reality. Showing young people how art can create positive change allowed me to hold a space for creativity in their lives and hopefully inspire them. Through the installation, I was happy to share with students how important it is to follow creative pursuits and to use one’s authentic voice for positive change. It is this change that can serve as a catalyst for artistic growth and investment in communities, which in turn can help make them more diverse and accepting each day.
Cheers,
