Gallery North, a non-profit cooperative art gallery under the sponsorship of the Northern Artist 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 hours are from 10am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday. Gallery North is always looking for artists for the Showcase Wall; if interested in displaying your art work, or in becoming a member, please contact the gallery at 218-444-9813 for more information. If you would like to see more pictures of events at Gallery North, “Like” Gallery North on facebook.

The May First Friday events at Gallery North will feature Big Falls artist Scott Rollenhagen’s drawings and paintings as the Showcase Artist. The gallery’s featured artists of the month, watercolorist Marion Caroline (see more about her and pictures of some of her work on her artist page on this website) and author/photographer John Eggers, will be on hand. Egger’s newest book, “Paul bunyan and Babe ABC Book” will be on sale, and Eggers will be signing copies during the reception.

At the recent Artists of Minnesota Spring Show held in Hutchinson, MN, Gallery North member Barbara “BJ” Jolly was the recipient of a Merit Award for her pen and ink drawing. In addition to her art being displayed at the Gallery, her art is currently hanging at the Fleur de Lis Gallery, Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, Wild Hare Bistro, the Sanford Walk-In Clinic, and the Bemidji Tourist Information Center.

Diana Collison-Jones will teach several classes on Copper Tooling. Try a beginner’s class, and if you like it, try a more advanced class later on. Sign up at Gallery North for beginner’s classes on April 17, and April 28, from 1-4 pm. Cost for class is $40, payment to be made to Diana Collison-Jones, and all supplies will be furnished. Each student will take home a finished project, complete with frame. Diana will teach advanced copper tooling classes on May 5 and May 12.

Sign up at Gallery North for an Acrylic Painting Workshop with Marion Caroline Reil on Sat., May 26, at 4 pm. The class fee is $45, payable to Marion Caroline Reil. Participants will complete an 11 × 14 In. acrylic painting on canvas board, and all materials will be provided.