Creativity Abounds With Williston Artists of All Ages
When North Dakota comes to mind, most people think of its iconic Badlands terrain and booming oil and agricultural industries. But did you know that the Peace Garden State is also home to a robust and eclectic arts scene?
That’s especially true in Williston, where the arts have not only helped revitalize its historic downtown but also inspired new generations of artists. Here’s a look at what’s happening with Williston artists and the vibrant cultural scene in this region.
Gathering Place for Williston Artists
The two meld noticeably at the renowned James Memorial Art Center. The 113-year-old building in downtown Williston has seen significant rehabilitation through the years, says Deana Novak, a Williston native, artist and the center’s president.
“In 1993, the city was unsure what to do with the building because it was falling into disrepair,” she says. “A group of citizens stepped forward and asked if they could become the custodians of it, so they took over the building and turned it into Williston’s first and only center for the visual arts. It became a place for exhibitions, art classes, workshops, different cultural events, dance, and even music and theater performances.”
The James is as much about being a community gathering place as it is about art, offering local art shows throughout the year as well as arts education classes. The James hosts game nights and allows folks to rent space at the center for their own parties and events.
“Seeing all this being a local here is so amazing because as a kid and an artist, I didn’t have as much exposure and opportunity to it,” Novak recalls. “Having all the classes available for kids in our area has been amazing. The last couple of years have been the best years we’ve ever seen as far as engagement with the community and our events being so wonderfully attended. And I kind of think that a lot of that is part of the influx of all the people who have come here.”
Something for Everyone
The importance of the city’s residential boom to its arts scene is a sentiment shared by other local arts leaders, as well.
“Here, we are in rural western North Dakota, and the thing that brings a lot of people into this community is the oil industry,” says Michael Quale, co-founder and longtime artistic director for the nonprofit community theater Entertainment Inc! “A lot of people coming in start to ask, ‘What is there to do and what does this community have to offer?’ And with the community theater as an example, we’ve seen it offer a lot. You don’t have to be rich to enjoy the arts.”
Since its beginning in the 1980s, the theater has generated more interest than imagined, he says.
“We’ve seen four generations of people who have been on our stage since our first season. Now, they’re grandparents,” he says. “I’ve seen their children and grandchildren performing.”
Sounds Like Community
Meriel Lora, founder and president of local nonprofit Harmonic Creative World, which provides music and resources to musicians and artists of all ages, says it is the people of Williston who make the city and its arts programming so engaging.
“One thing that is really cool about Williston is how much opportunity there is and how many great people there are,” Lora says. “They’re itching to give back to the community to see it grow.”
Lora, who was raised in the Dominican Republic with missionary parents who operated an orphanage, says it was the healing power of music that inspired him to pursue it as a career.
“My parents started a little music school inside the orphanage, and the results were incredible,” he says. “I saw the healing power of music – the way that it helps with trauma – firsthand.”
After moving to Williston as a young adult, Lora says he realized that there wasn’t a youth symphony program that children of all ages could take advantage of.
“As soon as I realized that wasn’t in place here, I thought to myself, ‘Hey, this is the perfect opportunity for this community to be able to reach out to kids who are kind of forgotten,’” he says.
Get to Know Williston
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