ND Artist’s Works Exhibited in Offices of Governor and First Lady

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2011
For more information, contact Amy Schmidt, ND Council on the Arts, (701) 328-7594

North Dakota Artist’s Works Exhibited in Offices of the Governor and First Lady

The North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA), along with the offices of Governor Jack Dalrymple and First Lady Betsy Dalrymple, is exhibiting the works of Grand Forks artist Robert A. Bykonen at the Capitol Building in Bismarck during the months of January, February and March. Bykonen’s works are on display in the Governor’s ground floor and first floor offices, the First Lady’s fourth floor office, and the Attorney General’s first floor office.

This is part of an ongoing program between the NDCA and the offices of the Governor and First Lady. Artists looking to represent their region with art work placed in the offices of the governor and first lady can submit a brief resume along with photographs or slides of their work to the North Dakota Council on the Arts, 1600 East Century Avenue, Suite 6, Bismarck, ND 58503. Artists are selected for quarterly display.

Following is a biography of Robert A. Bykonen:

Robert A. Bykonen was born and raised in Rolla, North Dakota, a small town located in the north central part of the state. Work habits and responsibility were developed at an early age. This came about through helping with the many chores on the cattle and small grain farm he grew up on.

Having his own horses and working with the cattle developed an interest in the “west” and the “cowboy” way of life. The works of C.M. Russell and Frederic Remington also had a influence on the young artist. In addition, the abundance of wildlife in the area and living in a central flyway for waterfowl and other migratory birds had a definite effect on his appreciation and interest in wildlife.

After high school Bob attended the University of North Dakota. He graduated with honors, earning a composite Major-Minor in art. Turning his talents to education, he taught art for thirteen years in the Grand Forks school system. While teaching, Robert started taking flying lessons. In a short time he obtained a Commercial Flying rating and also a Certified Flight Instructor rating. At this time Robert has logged over 22,000 hours of flight time, much of it as a crop duster. After 42 years of flying, he plans to retire from agricultural aviation and devote himself fulltime to his art.

At the present Robert makes his home in Grand Forks,ND, living with his wife Maggie and their cat Charlie. When not flying or in his studio, spare time is spent cruising on his Harley Davidson Road King and sorting through the many ideas that provide him with works of art created “by taking a closer look.” For more information, contact Robert A. Bykonen at 901 Belmont Rd., Grand Forks, ND 58201; via e-mail rbykonen@gra.midco.net; phone (701) 772-4391; or visit http://bykonenart.com.

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The North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout North Dakota, and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.