Studio Crawl

Click here for information about this year's Studio Crawl.

History

The Studio Crawl was established in 2004 to develop an awareness and appreciation for the quality and diversity of the visual arts in our region. During the two-day event, the public is invited into the studios of the many working artists in the Fargo Moorhead area. Visiting the artists in their element is a dynamic educational experience, demystifing art’s “making” process.

The Crawl is one of the only opportunities in our community to visit with visual artists in their studio spaces. By allowing visitors into the studios to converse with the artists about their ‘making’ process we try to expand the viewing experience and deepen the appreciation of the work and the efforts of the artists.

NDSU has opened studio space at its downtown facilities so that emerging student artists can participate. Most studios are handicap accessible. A high percentage of the area’s most recognized artists participate, including full-time artists and arts educators.

The Crawl is, most importantly, a community education event — it serves thousands of attendees each year. In conjunction with the Crawl, the Plains Art Museum offers the Kid Crawl, during which parents can drop off their children for structured visual arts experiences while their parents tour local studios.

I am writing to compliment you and the other participants in the 2006 Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists (FMVA) Studio Crawl.

As you know, my wife Bonnie and I came up to the event from Brookings on October 7th, and together with our son and his wife, we visited over a dozen different artists studios in the area. By the end of the day, our wallets were lighter, but we all took home fine examples of the work you and your fellow artists have produced. Of course your glass work was a big hit, especially getting to see your studio, but we also managed to pick up ceramics from Paul Ide and Brad Bachmeier, and several prints. I am having one from Dan Jones framed for my office. Our only regret was that we were unable to get out to the Martel Metal Works, but we are planning next year’s trip around a visit to his workshop.

Again, I want to congratulate you and the other members of the FMVA for what was from our perspective a very successful (and appreciated) event.

Jay P. Gilbertson