Gallery North, a non-profit cooperative art gallery under the sponsorship of the Northern Artists Association, gives members a place to display and sell work, encourages growth, builds confidence and provides public exposure for art, while emphasizing variety and individuality.

It is dedicated to assisting emerging and established artists, promoting art, and benefiting the Bemidji area, the downtown business district, and the tourism industry.

Artists can find a support system through their interaction with other members and the Bemidji area community. Emerging artists can learn from other artists and can gain experience by exhibiting their work.

Gallery North has been displaying and selling area artists’ work in downtown Bemidji, Minnesota, since 1989. They opened in their present location, 502 3rd St. N.W. in November, 2001. They are housed in the same building as Ink Spot Press, Grandma’s Attic Antiques, and Clearwater Cottage, all across the street from The Woolen Mills. Look for the signs showing how to find the gallery.

On the first Friday of every month, from 2 to 5 p.m., the public is invited to observe demonstrations featuring one of the Gallery’s artists as well as visit with one of the community showcase artists or authors. The Gallery also contains a library/resource room, a showcase artist display area, and a classroom space for workshops and special events.

Members’ work is also displayed at various places throughout Bemidji: The Beltrami County History Center, Merit Care Walk-In Clinic, Riverwood Bank, North Country Regional Hospital, Merit Care – Lower Level Lab – Main Building, Bemidji Community Art Center, Kitchigami Library Art Wall, and at the Dunn Brothers Coffee, Wild Hare Bistro, The Cabin, Tutto Bene, and The Fleur de Lis Gallery.

In 1972, a dozen artists or so decided to join together in ‘…the promotion of art, art interest and art activities among the people of Bemidji and the surrounding area.’ Their ideas gave rise to the Northern Artist Association. Their goals then and now continue to be ‘…to seek places to display the art work of area members, … and to sponsor art education through speakers, demonstrations and exhibits.’ From that small group of twelve artists, membership has now grown to forty-four. To this day, the Northern Artist Association continues to hold weekly painting sessions and monthly special programs to which the public is always invited.

Gallery North continues to take reservations for the First City Ethnic Arts Festival.
Gallery North and Northern Artists will sponsor the two-day festival from 10 am to 4 m Sat., Sept. 11 and Sun., Sept. 12 at the Hungry Bear Ballroom, 2300 24th St. N.W. in Bemidji. Join them for fine art and ethnic arts sales and displays, demonstrations, and exhibits. Booth space, with a table and cloth, is available for $45. for the two days. This event will have live entertainment and extensive publicity. For information or to obtain a reservation form, call Jeannine at 218-444-4482, or write her at 1209 30th St. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601. Make checks payable to Gallery North and enclose one photo representing the art, for jurying purposes, with the reservation. Groups wishing to donate entertainment should contact Jeanie Fenner at 755-9523.

Featured artist for September is Jeannine Brooks, who works in oils and is known for paintings that capture insights into daily life. Also on display is an eclectic collection of ‘Flora and Fauna’. First Friday opening reception is from 2-5 pm.

Monie Martin will be teaching a two week basket class ‘Antler Tabletop Basket’ on Mon., Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, from 6-10 pm at Gallery North. Registration is at Bemidji Community Education, and the two-week class is $30. Deadline to register for this class is Sept. 20. This small magazine rack or mail basket will use a spike or long bar type antler as the handle, and students will be working with seagrass, coil or sisal as the weaving material and embellish with feathers, beads, and antler buttons. Students will drill their own antler. Additional $20. basket kit fee to instructor at class. Students may bring their own antler spike and kit fee will be less. Bring a container for water, scissors, tape measure or ruler, spray bottle, old towel, pencil, clothespins awl, or small screwdriver. Go ALL the way behind to the very back of the building. Baskets can be seen at Gallery North.

Another two-week class that will be taught Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, 6-10 pm at Gallery North, by Monie Martin, is a basket called ‘Tiny Treasures’. Registration through Community Education is $30. for the class, and deadline to register for this course is Oct. 4. Woven entirely of round smoke reed on a drilled deer antler, it will hang perfectly on its own suede lacing. Students will drill their own antler. Size is 11 In. H x 5 In. W x 3 In. D. An additional $20. materials fee to instructor at class. Students may bring their own 2 point antler and kit fee will be less. Bring a container for water, acissors, tape measure or ruler, spray bottle, old towel, pencil, clothespins, awl, or small screwdriver.