The Grand Opening and Community Dedication of the new Watermark Art Center will be held December 2 at 505 Bemidji Ave N. The public is invited to tour the new facility and view the inaugural exhibits from 1-4 p.m. At 2 p.m. there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring hand-drum singing by Waabinoo Bines and drum songs by Battle River Singers, plus remarks from art center officials and guests.

“We are thrilled for this day to finally be here!” said Lori Forshee-Donnay, Watermark’s executive director. “So many community members and volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring this new space to the region. We are proud of everyone’s dedication and honored to present the new art center to the community.”

During the opening, all four galleries in the new art center will feature exhibits, including Fresh and Faded Memories: Paintings by Marley Kaul, Aazhoomon Indigenous Art Exhibition and Musings, Messengers and Monoprints by Terry Garrett. The Bemidji State University Gallery will show a range of modern and traditional print and ceramic pieces from their Harlow and Kleven collections in an exhibit titled A Lasting Gift.

“The grand opening of the Watermark features work by regional, national and even international artists,” said Forshee-Donnay. “It really sets the tone for the future of the Watermark with the variety and level of programming we wish to present.”

Watermark Art Center is a member-supported nonprofit that has operated in downtown Bemidji since 1982. Recently, the art center purchased the former Lakeside Luekens grocery store and renovated the building into a 10,000 square-foot premier center for art. The new center boasts four galleries, an education room and a shop to sell regional artwork. Over 75% of the fundraising campaign for this project has been raised, but certain financial goals still remain. To give or learn more, click here.