Art In Business In Watford City Through Dec. 24

The Long X Arts Foundation is combining the arts with small business this holiday season as it hosts its first ever Art in business event.

The foundation has partnered with area Watford City Main Street Businesses as well as local artists to make shopping local, unique gifts and art easy and fun.

Through Dec. 24, eight local artists will have their work on display and for sale in five different retail locations in Watford City.

“With the pandemic taking away so many opportunities for our local artists, we thought this would be a great way to get local artists in bricks-and-mortar stores without the rush a big art show would bring,” said Jessie Veeder Scofield, Long X Arts Foundation director. “The local businesses have been so gracious to host these artists and the hope is that it will help bring more traffic through their stores as well. Shopping local is more important than ever this year.”

Some of those businesses are also hosting special events based around the artist’s visit.

The Long X Visitor Center and Pioneer Museum will be hosting a “Meet the Artist” open house with renowned western painter Trish Stevenson on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The museum will be providing refreshments; a special gift and Trish will also be doing a live painting throughout the day.

Stevenson will be showing her work at the Pioneer Museum along with Sidney area sketch artist Rhonda Whited.

“We’ve had success in hosting Trish and other artists here in the past and we’re looking forward to showcasing these talented women,” said Jan Dodge, Pioneer Museum. “We also hope people will take time to browse our gift shop for North Dakota made gifts and treats.”

Other participating artists and businesses include Afton Ray-Rossol Art and Cheyanne Thompson’s Leather work, Hang it on the Line at Meyer’s Department Store. Kortney Beth Art and Chad Ziemendorf Photography will be at Door 204. Shipping Crate Pottery, Arnegard, will be for sale at Rhianna’s Boutique and Maria Borkowski’s work, We 3Bs Photography will be at Hometown Homemade.

To help keep people creative during these uncertain times, the Long X Arts Foundation is also offering take home art kits for children as well as adults.

Find out more at longxarts.com or contact them at [email protected] or 701-770-8659.