august september
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2026
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On The Cover Chris Armbrust by Dawn Duncan
cont [ aw ]
features
28 Helping Families Thrive Valley Christian Counseling and Wellness' Hulburt Children's Center by Alicia Underlee Nelson
34 Driven By Curiosity Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum's Jessie Rock by Kooper Shagena
62 The Art of Human Experience
Photographer/Artist Meghan Duda On The Rise by Dawn Duncan
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life 12
5 Fun Play Dates in Fargo-Moorhead by Alicia Underlee Nelson
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Five Cool Late Summer Date Nights by Alicia Underlee Nelson
22 5 Last-Minute Getaways in Fargo-Moorhead
by Alicia Underlee Nelson
40 The Art of Living Well
Morgan Hastings of LiveWell Counseling Services by Alicia Underlee Nelson
60 Area Calendar
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12 style
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50 Area Style
health
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26
26 Uterine Fibroids: When Heavy Periods aren't "Just Normal"
At Essentia Health by Caitlin Pallai
dining 44 The Open Table
Leola Dahl of Heart-n-Soul Cafe by Kooper Shagena
[AW] August / September 26 ::
5
OUR WRITERS
[ aw ]
are the voice of Area Woman Magazine. They bring to life the Fargo-Moorhead area and the incredible stories of the women we feature. These are the talented contributors showcased in this issue. Learn more about these and our other contributors at areawomanmagazine.com.
DAWN
duncan
Dawn is driven by creativity and sharing her passion for writing, art, and healthy living with the masses. She is from Fertile, MN and now calls Detroit Lakes her home, after living in Colorado several years. She's a UND graduate and lifelong entrepreneur who is also a published children's book author. You'll usually find her hiking in the woods, kayaking, sweating in the yoga studio, or spending time with her husband, Michael, and their rescue cat, Marais. Dawn is a writer, artist, fitness instructor, and class facilitator specializing in creative arts. Follow her @yellowbrightinc.com
DEVIN
joubert
Devin Joubert (pronounced "yo-bear") is a freelance writer and also a fiction author of all things romantic comedy, humor, and true love. Stories have always been at the center of her heart, believing they change lives. She lives in North Dakota with her husband and mini zoo, where the prairies and forests collide. When she isn’t writing or wrangling her pets, she loves going on road tripping adventures with her husband. You can find out more about her at lifewritingwanderlust.com
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ALICIA
underlee nelson
Alicia is the creator of prairiestylefile.com, a website that explores the arts, culture, shopping, events and fashion of Fargo-Moorhead and the upper Midwest. She frequently travels across the region in search of what's beautiful and what's next.
CALLING ALL WRITERS! Area Woman seeks new writers regularly. If you have writing experience and would like to be considered, please send an email including a writing sample to: design@areawoman.com
KOOPER
shagena
Kooper Shagena is a recent journalism graduate from NDSU. She currently trains performance horses and lives in North Fargo with her best friend. She is always reading, watching ghost hunting shows, or riding horses.
[AW] August / September 26 ::
7
See more of our feature article on page 52
publisher / art director
read it online
KIP JOHNSON
issuu.com/compmedia
managing editor
find us
DAWN DUNCAN
areawomanmagazine.com
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Area Woman is published bimonthly by Kip Johnson Design, LTD (dba Compass Media) and printed in the U.S.A. ©2026 Kip Johnson Design, LTD All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from AW. Area Woman is a trademark registered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Kip Johnson Design, LTD assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs and does not necessarily agree with content or advertising presented.
JERRY SHEA | 218.205.7454 REBECCA HAARSTAD | 262.994.8744 TERRI JO PEERY | 320.491.5618
design AARON BURGENER
photography JUSTIN EILER PHOTOGRAPHY
celebrating 42 years
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Family Issue Summer is winding down and soon it's back to school time. It never seems to last long enough here in the Midwest, and we cherish every minute we get to spend enjoying warmer weather plus time with family and friends. Welcome to this year’s family issue, where we showcase women from the community who are making a difference in business and the lives of those around them, including children. Our feature story highlights Chris Armbrust, the owner of the Nome Schoolhouse, a beloved fixture of North Dakota that Chris lovingly and tirelessly brought back to life starting in 2018. The wife/mother/grandmother is a full-throttle, high energy entrepreneur and fiber artist whose dream was realized through hard work and a tremendous amount of faith. Additionally, Fargo-Moorhead is fortunate to have the newly opened Valley Christian Center’s children’s division, the Hulbert Center, which is devoted to providing various types of therapy to help youth. After their open house in June, this business continues to expand rapidly, working alongside its parent company which has been offering therapy and support for individuals and families for several years. This issue is full of stories about women whose work influences their own families, but also those who reside in the community. Through their efforts, they make the communities they serve stronger and more vibrant, adding richness to the lives of children and adults. Take the time in these last moments of summer to soak up the sunshine and warmth of your loved ones as we gradually ease into autumn, school, and settling into a slower time of the year. [aw] Best,
Dawn Duncan Managing Editor
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t he
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area
FAMILY
Fargo Parks Sports Center There’s so much to do under the one (massive) roof at The Fargo Parks Sports Center. Big kids and teens meet up for pickup games of basketball, soccer, volleyball and hockey. (Bring your own equipment and check the calendar for open gym, ice, and turf times. The littles love the indoor playground. There are even mini structures tailored for toddlers and preschoolers.) All of these options — and drop-in pickleball from opening until 1 p.m. — cost only $5 per person. (A 10-visit punch card will save you five bucks.) The sprawling walking track is always free. The complex also boasts amenities like free storage lockers, family restrooms, respite and sensory spaces, a universal changing table, and private lactation rooms. The surprisingly affordable concession stand is open daily and offers flavored espresso drinks, salads, and fruit and yogurt parfaits, plus kid-pleasing options like pizza and hot dogs.
6100 38th St. S., Fargo 701-499-6065 fargoparkssportscenter.com
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Rope and Oak Children’s Nature Park Don’t miss Rope and Oak Children’s Nature Park, the very first unstructured outdoor play zone in the state. Find it in the woods near Hickson, just ten minutes south of Fargo. It’s packed with over 50 immersive, hands-on attractions so kids can climb, dig, build, and explore. Options abound. We’re talking ziplines and sliding mats, climbing tunnels and tree slingshots — even a bicycle-powered roller coaster! Kiddos can work on their balance by crossing bridges, perfect fine motor skills playing in sand or racing marbles, or burn off energy in the trampoline tree jumping net, playing halo ball (billed as tree basketball) or climbing on dinosaurs. Families can tromp along the half mile trail, identify insects, mushrooms, and wildlife and solve puzzles to win prizes. Admission is $15 per person Wednesday-Friday and $19 Saturday-Sunday. Kids two and under are free.
17449 50 St. S.E., Hickson 701-540-8193 ropenoak.com
Levity West Fargo Tumbling and ice cream and pizza, oh my! Throw in an arcade and you’ve got Levity, West Fargo’s family fun zone, located right on Sheyenne. The tumble gym is geared toward kids 10 and under, but the arcade, cheesy pizzas and colorful cotton candy, lemon bar and Cookie Monster ice cream call to kids of all ages. An hour in the tumble gym costs $6 for kids under 10 and $8 for kids aged 10-12. A $5 bill gets you 100 arcade credits. The complex also offers excellent deals to entice families. $2 Tuesdays feature $2 walk-in open gym sessions and $2 scoops of ice cream. On Fridays, $20 gets you an hour of unlimited arcade game play. The Levity Facebook page also promotes additional specials.
344 Sheyenne St., West Fargo 701-991-1916 facebook.com/p/Levity-West-Fargo-61577867915803 [AW] August / September 26 :: 13
Courts Plus Community Fitness Conquering the seven-story indoor playground at Courts Plus Community Fitness is practically a rite of passage. Billed as 38 feet of fun, it offers thrilling (but safe) challenges for older kids to tackle solo or with new friends. The Pirate Ship is a separate mini playground tailor made for children 3 years and younger. Toddlers can try the smaller slide, battle mini punching bags, and explore interactive panels. Admission is free for adults, kids under 12 months and Courts Plus members. Others pay $5. A 10-visit punch card saves you $1 per visit. Hungry from all that playing (or supervising)? Hit up concessions at the front and or check out the smoothie bar.
3491 University Dr S, Fargo 701-237-4805 courtsplus.org
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Dreamland Indoor Playground Variety is the spice of life at Dreamland Indoor Playground. This play area is spread out across 3,000 square feet and includes lots of engaging spaces for kids from 6 months to 12 years old. It also spans two levels. Kids can swing from ropes, launch themselves into foam pits, clamber across bridges, whiz down slides, and wage epic foam blaster battles. Thrill seekers can try mini ziplining, while the rock-climbing wall takes coordination skills to the next level (literally). A gated play area for the under 3 crowd keeps toddlers safely sequestered from the big kids. Pricing starts at $19.99 per child (plus $12 per additional kiddo) for 90 minutes — or $25 per day. Up to two adults per child get in for free. A one-month membership ($38 for one child, $58 for two kids and $78 for three) is a better deal for families who visit often. [aw]
2911 45th St. S. Suite D, Fargo 701-532-4554 dreamlandndplay.com
[AW] August / September 26 :: 15
area
DATE NIGHT
Check out comedy at The Cellar
Downtown Fargo is home to a top comedy spot so stealthy, many locals don’t even know it’s there. Some of the hottest national comics perform at The Cellar, an underground comedy club cleverly hidden underneath Front Street Taproom (yep, it’s like literally underground) right off Main Avenue. Stop in to see comics you’ve seen on Comedy Central, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, HBO and comedy festivals across the country. The calendar has plenty of gigs scheduled for August, September, and well into the fall, with even more to come. If you’d rather spot the next big thing, Open Mic Nigh every Wednesday welcomes local talent. Up-and-comers perform 3-5 minute sets and it’s completely free for patrons 21 and up. There are regular local comedy showcases too.
614 Main Ave., Fargo 701-566-7226 frontstreettaproom.com/comedyinthecellar
Get moving at Lindenwood Park
For a fun day date, pack a picnic and soak up the late summer sunshine in one of Fargo’s prettiest parks. Lindenwood Park is situated right along the Red River, so couples can amble along the shady paths and pop out in Minnesota. (The trail crosses into Moorhead’s Gooseberry Park via a bridge over the river.) You can bring your own bike or watercraft (the kayak launch is adaptive, mud-free, and ADA-compliant) or rent one right at the park. Single kayak rentals include a paddle and life jacket. There are lots of bike styles available, including fun cycles, low riders and double surrey bikes if you want to pedal together. The rental facility is open daily from noon until 8 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. After that, it’s open Saturdays and Sundays through the end of September.
1905 Roger Maris Drive, Fargo 701-232-3987 fargoparks.com/lindenwood-rentals
Enjoy Red Hawks baseball
Ah, the pure sensory pleasure of baseball in the summertime. You don’t have to be an expert on the game to appreciate the familiar chords of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” the scent of sugar dusted mini donuts, the perfect hot dog, and the way an ice-cold drink goes does smooth and easy on a warm summer night. Ultra-engaging promotions from the Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks make the between-innings action extra fun. The regular season promotional calendar (which runs August through September 3) bursts with beer events, hat giveaways, post-game concerts and other high energy antics. The team suits as up as the Fargo Woodchippers on August 11 and August 29, so don’t miss your chance to cheer for what’s essentially a movie prop and score some seriously amusing merch. After-game fireworks return on August 14 and 28.
1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo 701-235-6161 fmredhawks.com
Get crafty at Unglued
There’s something so soothing about making something with your hands — and something quite energizing about trying a new activity, just for fun. Unglued obliges with dozens of craft classes and workshop all year long. The selections rotate constantly, so check back often to see what’s new. This is a place where couples can craft their own wooden pens and mosaic garden bricks, customize jewelry, concoct candles — or pour their own epoxy, make a bolo tie and piece together intricate fish, bison and honeycombs out of colorful stained glass. Other favorites include paper quilling, watercolors, squeegee painting and working with polymer clay. All skill levels are welcome — the instructors really do make it easy. As an added bonus, you can schedule a class, workshop or do a quick make-and-take craft project, then grab a drink or a meal; it’s all under one roof at Brewhalla.
1702 1st Ave. N., Fargo 701-205-1597 ungluedmarket.com
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Unwind at Bear Creek Winery
Bear Creek Winery is just a short drive from Fargo, but this serene and secluded spot feels a world away from city life. Start on 25th Street, cruise south for around 10 minutes and emerge in the quiet countryside. Sample small-batch, cold-climate wines crafted from over 80 cold climate grape varieties (many have been cultivated by U of M and NDSU). Crowd favorites include Old Truck (a red blend), pale, semi-dry Frontenec and a refreshing rosé perfect for those last heady summer days. But you should definitely try a few to find your favorites. But this place is about connecting with community as much as it’s about wine. The calendar is full of events, from silent reading parties, yoga, game nights and comedy to live music, food trucks, vineyard tours and watercolor painting. It’s a fun way to take a date night deeper. [aw]
8800 25th St. S., Fargo 701-306-4709 bearcreeknd.com
[AW] August / September 26 :: 21
area
TRAVEL
escape to the north shore for soothing water views The waterfalls, wildflowers, and ocean-wide Lake Superior views inspire visitors to take in the delights of Minnesota’s North Shore. Take a leisurely drive up scenic Highway 61, stopping for lighthouses, pebble beaches, and a plethora of state parks along the way. Late summer is still high season, so stay in Duluth to score the most plentiful — and affordable — last minute lodging options. Watching the massive ships passing under the Aerial Lift Bridge at Canal Park is an event. The Duluth Lakewalk and the Grandma’s Saloon and Grill patio offer water views. Another option is the quaint, charming village of Grand Marais, two hours north of Duluth. Nestled along the shore of Lake Superior, this village is alive with art, music, scenery, shops, and dining, especially in the summer and early fall. Hotels are limited, but there are options, along with campgrounds and plenty of Air BNB/VRBO rentals.
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Day trip options abound. Walk along the breakwater near the Two Harbors lighthouse, then stop for beer at Castle Danger Brewery and lunch and dessert at Betty’s Pies. Some of Minnesota’s most gorgeous state parks are just a short drive away. Head to Gooseberry Falls, Cascade River ,and Tettegouche State Parks for dramatic waterfalls and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park for lighthouse tours.
visitduluth.com visitcookcounty.com northshorevisitor.com
enjoy old west family fun at medora Medora is making national news. Even if you’re a frequent visitor, North Dakota’s most unique western village probably looks different than your last trip. Dignitaries and tourists have been pouring in to visit the brand-new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library since its July 4 opening. Two new lodging options — The Ferris Hotel (a historic property that was remodeled last year and previously owned by folks who hosted Roosevelt) and Hotel 1883 (opened this summer) — offer additional rooms to house the influx of visitors. The latter looks out on the national park that bears Theodore Roosevelt’s name. Families have been enjoying the additional attractions added to Point to Point Park over the last few years. They include a lazy river, jump pad, and playground, plus steep hiking trails, a zipline, and mini golf, all with stellar badlands views. The Medora Musical and Pitchfork Steak Fondue both run through September 12.
medora.com
cheer for a plethora of sports in the twin cities Late summer into back-to-school season is the sweet spot for Twin Cities sports. Fans can catch basketball, soccer, baseball, and football games — often during the same weekend. Stay in downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul to walk to games and restaurants or catch the light rail train. The Minnesota Lynx top WNBA rankings. Catch superstars Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, and talented rookie Olivia Miles at Target Center now through September — and hopefully into the playoffs.
The atmosphere inside St. Paul’s Allianz Field is as electric as the on-pitch action. The Loons of Minnesota United FC play eight games August through September and welcome James Rodríguez, Michael Boxall, and Carlos Harvey back from the FIFA World Cup. There’s also Minnesota Twins baseball at Target Field in Minneapolis and their Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, at CHS Field. The Vikings also play at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 22 and September 13.
minneapolis.org/ visitsaintpaul.com/ [AW] August / September 26 :: 23
indulge in art and eats tour of Sioux Falls For a foodie-friendly art getaway, head to Sioux Falls. South Dakota’s easygoing riverfront city boasts great restaurants and free and easy access to visual art and live music. Watch the water crash over the cliffs at Falls Park, browse fresh produce at Falls Park Farmers Market, and stop for comfort food and ice cream at Falls Overlook Café. Josiah’s Coffeehouse, Café and Bakery is a brunch must, while BibiSol spotlights elevated Mexican dishes from James Beard Award semifinalist nominee Marcela Salas. Stroll past shops and restaurants at The Steel District and Cherapa Place en route to spot 80 sculptures displayed throughout the city. SculptureWalk Sioux Falls art rotates annually, but The Arc of Dreams that spans the Big Sioux River remains as a symbol of Sioux Falls. Levitt at the Falls and the AMPT! music series bring dozens of concerts to town through mid-September. They’re all totally free.
dtsf.com experiencesiouxfalls.com
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savor outdoor recreation on lake sakakawea North Dakota’s largest reservoir overflows with outdoor activities. This massive waterway starts near Garrison north of Bismarck and stretches all the way to Williston. Look for fishing, boating, swimming, paddling, camping, biking, and hiking all along the route at a network of resorts, campgrounds, parks, and recreation areas. Three state parks are the jewels in Lake Sakakawea’s crown. They offer pretty campsites, mixed-use trails, watercraft rentals, swimming beaches, and easy lake access to anglers, paddlers, and boaters across the state. Fort Stevenson State Park near Garrison is known for stellar walleye fishing and scenes of sailboats silhouetted against the sunset. Lake Sakakawea State Park in Pick City holds the western end of the North Country National Scenic Trail (the longest in the country) and the largest state park campground. In Epping, the beach at Lewis and Clark State Park is still and the water stretches out to meet the horizon. [aw]
ndtourism.com/best-places/lake-sakakawea-water-wonderland [AW] August / September 26 :: 25
area
HEALTH
Photographs supplied by Essentia Health
Heavy periods, painful cramps, pelvic pressure and pain with intercourse are symptoms many women learn to live with. Some assume it is simply how their body works or that they just need to “tough it out.” But common does not always mean normal — and it does not mean you have to suffer. “Patients come in and say, ‘I’ve always had heavy periods. This is just normal for me,’ ” said Dr. Michaela Heller, OB/GYN at Essentia Health. “But if symptoms are affecting your quality of life, we should talk about it. There are things we can do to help.” One common cause is uterine fibroids.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign, or noncancerous, growths of the uterus. Made of muscle tissue, they can grow in or around the uterine wall. Some are very small, while others can grow large enough to cause heaviness, bloating, pelvic pressure or even make someone appear pregnant.
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Written by Caitlin Pallai
“When I talk to patients about fibroids, I describe them as hard little balls of muscle in the uterus, almost like a rubber band ball,” said Dr. Heller, who performs a new-to-the-area and innovative treatment for uterine fibroids at Essentia Health-Fargo.
Dr. Michaela Heller
Fibroids are common. An estimated 50% to 80% of women have at least one by the time they reach menopause. Risk factors include age, genetics and family history, especially if a first-degree relative has had fibroids. While fibroids become more common with age, they can develop earlier, including for women in their 20s. African American women are also more likely to develop fibroids and may experience larger, more numerous or more severe fibroids.
Many ovarian cysts are part of the normal menstrual cycle and go away on their own. Fibroids do not usually behave the same way. They may stay small and cause no symptoms, or they may grow and create problems depending on their size, number and location.
Fibroids vs. cysts
Signs and symptoms
Uterine fibroids and cysts are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are very different. Fibroids are solid growths that develop in or on the uterus, while ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in or on the ovaries.
OB/GYN at Essentia Health
Some women never know they have fibroids. They may be found during an ultrasound for pregnancy, fertility concerns or another health issue. Others seek care because symptoms have become hard to ignore.
Fibroids can cause: • Painful or worsening periods • Heavy menstrual bleeding or passing blood clots • Pelvic pressure or heaviness • Bloating or a feeling of fullness • Constipation or bowel pressure • Bladder pressure or frequent urination or urinary incontinence • Pain with intercourse • Fatigue or dizziness related to anemia • Fertility or pregnancy concerns Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding because they distort the uterus and surrounding blood vessels. As a fibroid grows, it needs its own blood supply. That increased blood flow, along with changes to the uterus, can lead to heavier periods. Cramping may happen as the uterus tries to clamp down and control bleeding. “Technically, we don’t need to address every fibroid,” explained Dr. Heller. “But if bleeding is very heavy, getting worse or interfering with your life, that’s when we should consider treatment.” If your period regularly disrupts your work, sleep, relationships or daily activities, it is worth bringing up with a provider. If you suspect fibroids, start with your primary care provider, OB/GYN or midwife. Diagnosis often includes a pelvic exam and imaging, such as an ultrasound. Bloodwork may also be recommended to check for anemia.
Treatment options
Despite their prevalence, many women are unaware of the treatment options available for fibroids, including non-hormonal, uterus-preserving options. Fibroid treatment is individualized. The best option depends on symptoms, age, health history, the size, number and location of fibroids, and whether a patient wants to preserve their uterus. Options may include medication to reduce bleeding, and iron therapy if anemia develops. Procedures may include myomectomy, which removes fibroids, or hysterectomy, which removes the uterus. A hysterectomy is definitive and not right for everyone. Essentia Health-Fargo now offers Acessa®, a minimally invasive, non-hormonal procedure to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus. Essentia Health-Fargo is the first health system in the greater Fargo-Moorhead area to offer this procedure. Acessa® uses radiofrequency and targeted heat to treat fibroids, helping them soften and shrink over time. “For a long time, many women felt like their choices were to live with fibroids or have a hysterectomy,” said Dr. Heller. “I love being able to offer another option to my patients.”
Essentia OB/GYNs
Dr. Jeffrey Johnson and Dr. Michaela Heller with the Acessa® device.
The Acessa® procedure may be an option for patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who have not found relief with hormone therapy or other medications, want to preserve their uterus or are seeking a minimally invasive approach. It can also be helpful for some patients with multiple fibroids or fibroids that are difficult to remove safely. Recovery is typically shorter than with a hysterectomy. Most patients return to work within several days to two weeks. Fuller recovery often takes about four to six weeks, compared to about eight to 12 weeks for a hysterectomy. “Just because fibroids are common doesn’t mean you have to suffer through them,” Dr. Heller said. Essentia Health provides specialty gynecology care for women experiencing heavy bleeding, pelvic pain or other symptoms of fibroids.
Talk with your primary care provider to see if a referral is right for you, or learn more at
EssentiaHealth.org
area
WELLNESS
Valley Christian Counseling and Wellness has expanded. The long-established counseling center just unveiled a new facility called The Hulbert Children's Center, located at 1202 Nodak Dr. S. in Fargo. And so far, the most recent round of questions that staff members have received aren’t quite what you’d expect from a trusted name in mental health care. “‘Do we serve pizza?’ And where are the animatronics?’ — those have been probably the most popular questions,” says Valley Christian Counseling co-CEO Sarah Stigen with a laugh. The space inside the former Chuck E. Cheese building is almost unrecognizable after its transformation, but some folks still do a double take in the parking lot. (For the record, you won’t find any pizza or animatronics here — but a colorful mural gives a shout out to the building’s past, just for nostalgia’s sake.) Now this familiar address has been completely reimagined as a very different type of respite for children and families.
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Valley Christian Counseling and Wellness has been serving the Fargo-Moorhead area for decades. But The Hulbert Children's Center, which sits just across the parking lot from the main facility, represents a new era. It’s the realization of a dream of serving kids and families even more comprehensively than ever before. “We’re very excited about our new building,” Stigen says. “We’ve just had such a significant increase in demand for children’s services and to be able to design that space specifically for kids and families — to make it a place where they can feel seen and loved and known and cared for, and also have it be a bit of an adventure — has been great. Every space is designed very thoughtfully, very creatively for collaboration — but also so that we can really leverage the environment for therapeutic purposes.”
Play therapy There are several key areas that providers use to help kids connect, unwind, practice life skills and process their emotions. Most of these spaces look an awful lot like a playground or a playroom. That’s exactly the point, explains Katie Wayt, a counselor who specializes in play therapy.
Valley Christian Counseling and Wellness is overflowing with engaging play therapy options. Wayt says some kids benefit from more structured play therapy, like using puppets or stuffed animals to act out their feelings or specific situations. Others gravitate toward art supplies, sand trays, dolls, toys, figurines, and medical kits to illustrate their experiences. “And then the sensory gym is just always going to be a win,” adds Pediatric Occupational Therapist Lexi Kahnk. “Being able to access movement for kids is huge. As soon as you add some movement in, I find it unlocks things for kids when they aren't able to articulate what’s going on verbally.” A sensory garden is in the works. A special lounge for adults is already operational. Its low lights, contemplative environment, and massage chairs help parents, grandparents and other caregivers tend to their own mental health while the kids they love are being seen.
We’re very excited about our new building,” Stigen says. “We’ve just had such a significant increase in demand for children’s services and to be able to design that space specifically for kids and families. Co-CEO Sarah Stigen
“The idea behind play therapy is that play is the child's language and the specifically chosen toys become their words,” Wayt explains. “Their brains aren't fully developed and they only have so much language to access and to try to communicate the things that they've been through, the things they've seen, or the things that they're feeling. As a play therapist, you come alongside them, and you enter into their world. I get to give words and order to the experience. It helps them understand it better and digest it a little bit easier.”
[AW] August / September 26 :: 29
An apartment for hands-on learning Kahnk helps kids ages birth through 18 (and those who cognitively function more like a child than an adult) work on daily skills. These can include personal hygiene, getting dressed, and participating in routines with friends and family, as well as working through sensory issues, exploring new recreational activities, and becoming more proficient in a variety of social interactions. This is an interactive, hands-on process that is aided by one impressive therapy area that has long been on Kahnk’s wish list: a simulated apartment so kids can practice in real time, with items just like the ones they’d find at home. “As we were dreaming about this building opening up, I was the first one to mention having a functional bathroom — with a shower and everything — because it’s all about how we’re going to actually do those things, acquire those skills,” she explains. “Being able to have our simulated apartment, we can really put all of the pieces together. And having a neutral environment to practice in really helps.” The child is the patient. But the child’s entire care network can be part of the process. “Children do not exist in a vacuum,” Kahnk says. “So when we are working together, it is child-focused, but it is very much equipping whoever they interact with on a regular basis.”
Being able to have our simulated apartment, we can really put all of the pieces together. And having a neutral environment to practice in really helps. Pediatric Occupational Therapist Lexi Kahnk
A holistic approach The facility’s focus on combining different types of treatment and strengthening a child’s relationships stem from its commitment to treating the whole person — body, mind and spirit. That’s no surprise, since Valley Christian Counseling and Wellness grew out of a meeting between a physician, Dr. David Todd, and local pastors over 30 years ago. “Valley Christian Counseling is a place where we really seek to bring clinical excellence and provide that from a faith-centered perspective,” Stigen explains. “We’re very holistic in our approach. We have counselors, we have spiritual directors, we have two physical therapists, and four occupational therapists. We have a registered dietitian, two nurse practitioners, and a speech and language pathologist. We also offer financial counseling and massage therapy. So to be able to have different provider types that can collaborate together to really wrap around people and to care for them in that way is pretty powerful.” [AW] August / September 26 :: 31
Seeking services New patients arrive at Valley Christian Counseling and Wellness in several different ways. Some come because their pastor recommended it, just like in the practice’s earliest days. Others are referred by medical providers, school staff, or social services. Still others stumble upon the website, hear about it from friends or family, or reach out on their own. They come for a variety of reasons as well. “Sometimes it's a known experience, like going through a divorce, a child experiencing sexual abuse or physical abuse or witnessing domestic violence,” Wayt says. “Sometimes they’re not sure what the underlying issue is, but we're seeing some big behaviors — we’re seeing big tantrums, we're seeing big anger, we're seeing really big worry in certain situations. Sometimes it’s anxiety manifesting in kids. And then other times, it can be families struggling with attachment issues.” No matter what issues kids you love are facing, team members at Valley Christian Counseling and Wellness encourage you to reach out. They say it’s normal to wonder if you’re overreacting or to worry that seeking care will somehow make an issue seem like an even bigger deal to a child. But seeking answers — or even just asking questions —can bring great peace of mind to potential patients and their families.
It takes such courage and emotional energy just to walk in the door and say, 'something's up and I need help', so I am thankful for that.” Counselor Katie Wayt
“I would have them look at our website,” Stigen says. “And they can always call in. We have a great intake team that's willing to answer any questions that they would have.” Staff members say that it’s also normal to be nervous about taking this next step. But they add that it’s important to remember that asking for help shows strength and emotional vulnerability. And those are both attributes we should be modeling for kids in our lives. “It takes such courage and emotional energy just to walk in the door and say, 'something's up and I need help', so I am thankful for that.”
Even more importantly, the team says that no matter how hard things seem, progress is possible. Even the youngest minds can be helped through play therapy and other interventions. “I'd love for people to more fully understand why play therapy is effective on a brain level,” Wayt says. “I think it's really fascinating how our minds were created, and how there's been this gracious offer for healing through play for kids. That’s amazing to me; that their brains aren't fully developed, but we don't have to wait until they are to have healing — we get to do it right now, in a way that they're ready for. If we can adjust and meet them in the way that they communicate, healing can happen.” [aw]
For information: valleychristian.co 701-232-6224
I'd love for people to more fully understand why play therapy is effective on a brain level. Counselor Katie Wayt [AW] August / September 26 :: 33
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SCIENCE
Jessie Rock’s path to the Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum began with curiosity. “I was a PBS kid, and I loved Mister Rogers with all of my heart,” Jessie says. “He showed me how a camera worked. He took things apart. He took me on field trips to visit a crayon factory and launch a weather balloon. He encouraged me to wonder about things.” That spirit of wonder stayed with her. Growing up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Jessie spent her childhood hiking, swimming, exploring, and developing a love for the natural world and the stories held in rocks and landscapes.
“I helped them develop activities for teaching topics on climate change, minerals, volcanoes, earthquakes, and fossils. Some materials were heavy, some were fragile, and others were larger than what I could carry in my car.” / Jessie Rock
Jessie studied geoscience at Minnesota State University Moorhead, while also taking courses in biology, anthropology, and art. “I was interested in so many things,” she says. She later completed graduate work in paleontology through North Dakota State University’s Environmental and Conservation Sciences program. “For my research, I used fossil beetles, seeds, and pollen to reconstruct past climates and environments,” she says. A favorite example of that curiosity is her sand collection, which includes samples from all seven continents. Under a microscope, each sample tells a different story — shaped by minerals, mountains, oceans, wind, shells, or time. That scientific background led her to teaching. She taught at all three local universities — Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and North Dakota State University — where she spent 14 years as a faculty member in the Department of Geosciences.
During those years at NDSU, Jessie taught handson laboratory and field courses, curated geoscience collections, and helped connect those collections to public science outreach. Those outreach connections became an increasingly important part of her work. Jessie brought science experiences into pre-K–12 classrooms, libraries, parks, and community events. She helped organize hands-on experiences for National Fossil Day, Earth Day, Science Saturdays, and other programs that allowed students and families to participate in science directly. Through that work, Jessie began seeing the need for a science museum in Fargo-Moorhead. Teachers wanted stronger science support, but often lacked the materials, specimens, or professional development to cover certain topics. Families wanted more hands-on learning. Community members wanted a place to explore science. But the region had no museum where schools could take a day trip or families could return repeatedly. “At the time, I had access to fossils and other materials that many teachers didn’t have,” Jessie says. “I helped them develop activities for teaching topics on climate change, minerals, volcanoes, earthquakes, and fossils. Some materials were heavy, some were fragile, and others were larger than what I could carry in my car.”
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At first, she imagined a mobile outreach model — something like a science-focused bookmobile that could travel from school to school, bringing specimens, activities, and professional support directly to teachers and students. She applied for a grant through the FM Area Foundation to support the idea, and that early effort caught the attention of the Fargo Forum. The article featured Jessie’s outreach work and quoted her saying the region needed a science museum. Within days, teachers, parents, and community members began reaching out with the same question: How is it that Fargo-Moorhead does not already have a science museum? That community response became a turning point. Jessie had been part of many informal conversations with parents, educators, neighbors, colleagues, and friends about the need for a science museum to be added to the community. But after the Forum story, the idea moved from conversation into public momentum. She and a growing group of supporters launched a public survey and hosted listening sessions with scientists, educators, industry professionals, parents, teens, and children. They asked companies about workforce needs, teachers about curriculum gaps, and community members about
what would make science feel accessible, relevant, and part of everyday life. Through all of these responses, there was consensus: the community was ready. But Jessie and the founding group also understood that enthusiasm was not enough. Building a museum would require professional guidance, strong governance, fundraising strategy, visitor experience planning, and a clear understanding of public museum operations. “We realized we had great content and a lot of community voices,” Jessie says. “But we needed help understanding how to build a museum.” Early support from John Ballantyne, co-founder of Aldevron, helped the group secure professional planning services. From there, the team began learning from museum professionals, visiting museums, reading books on museum planning, attending conferences, building a strong board of directors, developing policies and procedures, and shaping a formal business plan and visitor experience plan. The process took time, and that was intentional. The founding board wanted to do the work carefully and build the museum on a strong foundation.
“We realized we had great content and a lot of community voices,” Jessie says. “But we needed help understanding how to build a museum.” / Jessie Rock
Jessie is quick to point out that the project has never been hers alone. A dedicated Board of Directors has helped move the vision from an idea into an organization, providing essential leadership in governance, finance, partnerships, fundraising, and strategy. At first, Jessie did not imagine herself as the museum’s Executive Director. She saw herself as a scientist, educator, and community advocate, not necessarily as someone who would lead a museum organization. “I didn’t see myself as the Executive Director in the beginning,” she says. “I thought my lack of museum experience made me unqualified.” But as the board searched for leadership, they saw that Jessie brought something essential: the vision, relationships, persistence, and understanding of why the museum mattered. Over time, she also learned that museum leaders come from many different professional paths. “Everyone has a unique story and path,” Jessie says. “I learned that no one steps into leadership already knowing everything. The important thing is to understand the mission, keep learning, and surround myself with people who bring strengths I don’t have.”
When the board asked her to serve as Executive Director, Jessie accepted with humility and a commitment to keep learning through courses, workshops, conferences, museum visits, and guidance from experienced leaders. Today, the Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum is envisioned as a major regional destination. Interactive, immersive exhibits and programs will be regionally focused and globally relevant. The project is in an active capital campaign and facility-planning phase, raising the private and public support needed to create a permanent museum for the region. The team is reevaluating site opportunities carefully, with attention to accessibility, long-term sustainability, and the visitor experience. The museum will be a place where science belongs to everyone. Its focus is STEMM — science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine — with experiences designed to connect everyday curiosity to real-world learning, careers, and community needs.
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The planned visitor experience includes seven immersive zones connected to science shaping the region and the world. One area will explore weather, including the legacy of Ted Fujita and the 1957 Fargo tornado. The goal is not only to tell an important regional story, but also to help people understand severe weather, including New Americans and others who may be new to the risks of the Northern Plains. Another area will focus on water. “From the unseen ways water moves beneath our city streets, to flood protection, to how we get our drinking water, we want people to understand how important water is,” Jessie says. “We are water wealthy, and that is something worth understanding and protecting.” A zone called Science + Fiction will connect science and pop culture. It is designed as an inviting entry point for people who may not immediately see themselves as “science people.” “We know there are people who may feel like a museum isn’t a place for them,” Jessie says. “So, we wanted to create ways for people to connect through story, creativity, pop culture, and fun. STEMM is everywhere.”
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Other planned experiences include hands-on laboratory spaces where visitors can explore experiments in giant test tubes. In one area, visitors explore real cultures trapped in epoxy and can examine them more closely through digital tools, or extract pigments from plants and fungi to create bio-paint. “It’s about unleashing your inner chemist and your inner artist in one place,” she says. Agriculture will also play a major role in the museum’s story. The region is home to significant innovation in agriculture, biotechnology, health, engineering, and environmental science, but much of that work happens behind the scenes. “There are so many incredible things happening in our region,” Jessie says. “But it’s hard to bring the public into those spaces, especially when facilities need to remain sterile, secure, or highly controlled.” To bridge that gap, the museum plans to connect visitors with real scientists, real data, real tools, and real career pathways. In the Growing Scientists Lab, a visitor practicing pipetting at “The Bench” could connect through “The Portal” with real scientists using similar skills in a company or research setting. The goal is to help visitors see the connection between hands-on learning, local industries, and future careers.
“It’s about unleashing your inner chemist and your inner artist in one place.” / Jessie Rock
“When kids experience science hands-on, they start to imagine themselves as engineers, doctors, and innovators. That’s how you build a future workforce,” Jessie says. That workforce connection is personal for Jessie. During her years at NDSU, she helped prepare students for careers in geoscience, environmental science, water, energy, GIS, and critical minerals. For her, those career pathways are examples of why STEMM learning matters to the region’s future: the challenges ahead will require people who can ask good questions, work with evidence, and translate science into solutions. “We have an opportunity to inspire future STEMM careers and show young people that they live in a region of science and innovation,” Jessie says. “So many of our local companies have global impact.” For Jessie, the museum is not only about exhibits. It is about access. It is about creating a place where multigenerational families and community members of all ages can learn together. It is about making science visible, welcoming, and useful. It is about helping people see that science is not reserved for a certain kind of person.
“We want to create a place where you can spend a day with your friends or family, just having fun, and not be reminded you’re learning,” she says. While work continues toward a permanent museum, FMSM’s outreach continues to grow. Grants and community donations help bring hands-on STEMM experiences to libraries, parks, admission-free events, and other places where families and learners already gather. Community members can support FMSM by attending outreach events, following the museum’s work on social media, volunteering, and donating to help sustain free STEMM outreach, free summer camps, and continued museum planning. For Jessie, FMSM is the kind of place she would have loved as a child. “Mister Rogers rewarded my curiosity and encouraged me to wonder about things,” she says. “That same spirit is at the heart of FMSM. We want to identify and remove barriers so everyone feels invited to explore and discover that science belongs to them.” That is the mission of the Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum: breaking barriers to ignite the curiosity in all of us. [aw]
Information / fmsm.org 1529 University Avenue, Fargo, ND 58103
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WELLNESS
It’s only natural to be guided by fear, feelings, even the fear of having feelings. Because what else can always reach you, no matter where you go, who you cut off, or what you surround yourself with? Oh, the dreadfulness of inevitability.
If you’ve ever heard that esoteric instruction to stop running and turn around to face the things that chase you in a nightmare, and apparently something remarkable will happen, then you know how Morgan Hastings makes a living.
But there is some good news, too: they’re just feelings. As sharp and dangerous as they feel (heart pounding, hackles raising, chest blazing) they cannot rip you limb from limb. Unwelcome and disruptive house guests in the rooms of your mind, yes, but they will grow quieter or move on entirely eventually.
She is the founder and lead therapist of LiveWell Counseling in Moorhead, a trauma-informed, individualized therapy service. As she points out in her blogs (Note: Give them a read. They’re all funny, authentic and thought-provoking!), her foundation as a social worker is what makes her practice so unique and well-rounded. She earned
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her bachelor’s in social work from MSUM and immediately began working for Clay County Social Services in Child Protection for the next three years, before completing her alcohol and drug counseling certification and eventually serving as the Clinical Supervisor of a residential treatment program in Moorhead.
“Therapy in itself can be a lifelong service and support for some,” she says, “but in that respect, I want people to go out and live their lives, right? I don’t want them to have to become dependent on a therapy service to feel better. Let’s process it and teach the skills we need to so that you can feel better in your normal, day-to-day life.”
Soon she was burnt out, however, and made the decision to pursue a master’s degree in clinical social work while continuing to work remotely as a substance use counselor, among other part-time jobs in human services and in the restaurant industry. In January of 2024, she opened LiveWell, her own counseling practice built on social work foundations and trauma-informed care.
This is where the other pillars of her practice come into play: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the wellness wheel. Her experience as a social worker before becoming a clinical therapist made her especially in tune with the idea that people do not have the capacity to analyze themselves emotionally if their basic needs aren’t being met.
Now what does any of this have to do with fear? Morgan follows a self-proclaimed “no BS” approach to therapy, which is the art of using empathy and honesty in tandem. There is space for comfort and validation, of course, but her true superpower is in distilling the dormant bravery out of her clients, showing them that they’re strong enough to face those things that haunt them the most. The fear of feeling guilty, the fear of feeling hurt, the fear of being misunderstood can sometimes feel more insurmountable than the actual feelings themselves. “Discomfort is the price of change,” Morgan says. “Discomfort means you are growing and stretching , and if you can choose the discomfort instead of having it come to you (asking ‘why does this always happen to me?’) then I think that’s much more empowering to a person.” Her goal is to give people the tools and the courage to confront difficult things eventually without her.
“The thing you came into therapy to work on? Your brain is too busy trying to keep you upright and functioning to process it,” she says. “Safe shelter, sleep, food and financial stress don’t exist in separate boxes. They compound each other and the research is pretty hard to ignore. Poor sleep makes financial stress feel more catastrophic; financial stress disrupts sleep; sacrificing nutrition because money is tight or you’re stressed out and overworked affects mood and cognition, which makes it harder to problem solve, which makes overall stress worse. They are one system, not three separate issues.”
Therapy in itself can be a lifelong service and support for some.
Morgan Hastings
These are the types of discussions she always leads with when getting to know her clients and keeping up with them. “I want to and have been practicing looking at the whole picture of a person,” Morgan explains. “I take the wellness wheel approach wherein we look at these things like baseline nutrition, sleep, what a person’s childhood experiences were like, what their work and profession look like, what passions they have, their relationships and their spirituality.” In other words, she understands that people’s anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions or PTSD do not exist in a vacuum; they are parts of a larger experience called day-to-day life, and this is the big-picture level she meets them on. “Looking at life in this big way can be scary, and nobody is fearless,” Morgan included. “Growing up in kind of a rural area, there is a lot of Midwest culture of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps,” she says. “A lot of ‘yeah, that sucks, but deal with it’ kind of attitude.” “My dad was a single dad, so he raised me and— we have a better relationship now—he was very hard in terms of expectations; what he expected of performance and school and whatnot. That drive was kind of, in a way, a chip on my shoulder. I had to work through that and acknowledge that I don’t have to work an absurd number of hours, and that my worth is not dependent on my productivity.”
As is almost always the case, two things can be true at once; this harshness forced her to learn resiliency and fortitude and even though it can be sad to remember, it’s helped her become who she is today. For example, she built this practice by herself. “I had absolutely no business experience when I started,” Morgan says. “My thought process was basically that I was willing to work hard enough and figure things out as I went. A lot of it was trial and error, Google/YouTube, stacks of books from the library and learning on the fly.” Morgan was able to learn marketing, business operations, hiring, branding, and entrepreneurship along the way. Today, her practice is verified by Psychology Today and she has been able to add a second counselor to her team and has plans to add more clinicians in the near future. What began as a solo practice has already grown into a small team, with a drive to continue expanding access to quality whole person mental health care throughout the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Looking at life in this big way can be scary, and nobody is fearless. Morgan Hastings
Back in the day, Morgan had no idea this was where her path would take her.
A tool she returns to in her personal life is what she calls a joy list.
“Genuinely,” she says, “I came into the social work field with the generic idea that I wanted to help people; I wanted to help people feel good and to be a part of that.” Once she had earned all her degrees and certifications, she realized that she wasn’t seeing many opportunities to practice in a way that aligned with her approach and values—so she built one herself.
“It’s just a list of things for when I get lost, frazzled or in autopilot, and it just reminds me of what brings me joy. It’s drinking coffee on cold or hot days, sitting with my dog on the patio, watching the birds, or going to the library and just walking around; those are some of the things that bring me joy.”
Her “why” also extends to the Jungian theory of raising the collective consciousness of humanity. “What that means is, I start with the individual and if I can help them work through and heal some areas, there will be a domino effect to everyone else in their sphere or community. That starts to impact entire groups of people; it starts to impact entire generations and continues to spread. By that theory,” she says, “you’re raising the consciousness of humanity to feel lighter, to be more connected and to have more empathy.” With the life-changing work that she does for others, she is still continually working on herself as both a therapist and a person, which she describes in her various blogs on the LiveWell website. From the supervised sessions with other professionals to continued self-reflection, it’s clear in her writing that she tries to exhibit the same level of honesty that she asks her clients to show her and themselves.
Taking the time to physically write out a list like this can, out of reflex, feel silly and pointless in world where progress and money are the only acceptable “real” goals, but it’s so important to remember that life is still happening in the in between moments. In the words of Joan Didion, “every day is all there is.” In this sense, Morgan encourages her clients and herself to practice awareness even in the mundane and the “everyday”—she asserts that awareness creates choice. Today’s fast-paced world can shift us imperceptibly into autopilot, doing the same things repeatedly, making us numb to the passage of time. When really, if we slow down and take notice, there is an abundance of choices available to us every single day. [aw]
For information: livewellcounselingmn.com 4111 34th Ave. S., Suite 204, Moorhead, MN 56560 • 218-303-5560 [AW] August / September 26 :: 43
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NONPROFIT
Food insecurity is measured with two different metrics: low food security and very low food security. So defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USDA and non-profit programs such as Feeding America, low food security describes households that can maintain regular meals, but only by restricting what food they’re able to buy and by buying less of it. Very low food security occurs when the eating pattern is regularly disrupted: one or more members of the household are forced to skip meals because there are not enough resources to support normal eating patterns. The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) reports that, in 2024, 13.7% of Americans (1 in 7) dealt with low food security and 5.4% (1 in 20) with very low food security. These numbers are higher in urban and rural areas, with suburbs having the lowest rates of food insecurity.
In North Dakota specifically, Feeding America, the nationwide non-profit that runs the Great Plains Food Bank, reports that 1 in 10 North Dakotans face some kind of food insecurity. Government programs like SNAP, WIC, and TEFAP are indispensable, but they are devoid of the interpersonal connection that feeds us on a deeper level. Eating together with your community is something that keeps us connected and empathetic; filling the belly and the heart. Heart-n-Soul Community Café works to provide affordable meals without the ostracization of traditional food banks or soup kitchens. These services keep people alive and are nothing to be ashamed of, but they are just not the same as “going out to eat”. Heart-n-Soul is just like any other food truck that all passersby can enjoy, but they offer creative payment options to lower the barrier of access for all community members. Leola Dahl, the Fargo native and daughter of immigrant parents from Baden, Germany, founded Heart-n-Soul Community Café in June of 2016. “The foundation of Heart-n-Soul is that everyone has something to share,” Leola says, “everyone deserves a good fresh meal, and a full belly is important, just as having positive social connections is for overall wellbeing.”
The foundation of Heart-n-Soul is that everyone has something to share, everyone deserves a good fresh meal, and a full belly is important, just as having positive social connections is for overall wellbeing.
Leola Dahl
Customers have the option to pay what they can, help with set up or take down, volunteer for dinner rush, or share the café’s information on social media in exchange for a fresh, hot meal. The café is also a full-fledged catering service that can be hired for weddings, parties or corporate events, as their fresh and upscale menu makes the food versatile and authentic for all kinds of venues. Leola began her professional journey with a job at Pizza Hut in high school and then went from bus girl to hostess to server at the Townhouse Hotel and Restaurant while she studied at NDSU. “That was the best job during college,” she says. “The cooks would make meals for us on break. I was on the NDSU swim team, and I would go to work after the workout, and the cook would have a burger for me; we were a family at work.” Leola graduated with a B.S. in Home Economics, majoring in Child Development. She would then work in the Cities for a number of years as a lead teacher in early childcare centers before moving back to Fargo and opening her own childcare facility. Later, she began working for SENDCAA (Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency) as a family advocate.
That was the best job during college. The cooks would make meals for us on break. I was on the NDSU swim team, and I would go to work after the workout, and the cook would have a burger for me; we were a family at work.
Leola Dahl
Throughout her career, she’s held many different part-time positions as well, which, she says, gave her the opportunity to meet so many people that were different than her, yet all working toward a common goal. “Some of my part-time jobs throughout my life included being dietary aid at a long-term care facility, serving at Randy’s Diner, working at a group home with individuals experiencing brain injury, helping my dad with his lawn care and snow removal service, handing out towels at the YMCA, and making chocolate covered potato chips at Carol Widman’s, to name a few.”
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Now, as the founder and executive director of Heart-n-Soul, Leola works alongside 10 other dedicated individuals who pursue a common goal, just like her old team at the Townhouse back in the day. President and VP are Jess Bontjes and Skip Espeseth, respectively, Joe Swegarden is the Kitchen Manager, Candance Anderson handles volunteer and community engagement, Michelle Johnson does the marketing and social media, and Jacob Anderson is an operations associate. The board of directors for the café help handle money, non-profit status, and partnerships with other community initiatives in Fargo-Moorhead. Each week, Leola and her team coordinate three to six Mobile Café locations and multiple meetings with volunteers (volunteers usually help with food prep, set-up and tear-down, and anyone is welcome). “We start serving from the Mobile Café at 4:406:30pm,” says Leola. “We arrive an hour early to start setting up for the meals and some days we serve lunch from 11:30-1:30pm. Then, after each meal, there is another 45 minutes to an hour of take-down. Some days we finish our days at 7:30 or 8pm,” she says.
Local farmers and gardeners also share their produce with Heart-n-Soul throughout the day for the freshest ingredients and reinforced community bond. “We are so grateful for the community members sharing their time and talents with us,” Leola says. Naturally, the best season for the Mobile Café is the summer, but Heart-n-Soul still provides nourishing meals with creative payment solutions in the colder months. They host indoor pop-ups at various locations that still provide the same welcoming atmosphere and quality meals for everyone to enjoy.
They also make sure to pay special attention to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. This can be an extremely difficult time for food insecure individuals, especially in our unforgiving winter climate. Not to mention, it’s usually the warm food and togetherness of the holidays that gets us through the dark half of the year physically and emotionally; alone and hungry is a brutal way to spend the relentlessly cold winter. Heart-n-Soul says that their Holiday Meals Program provides “warm, nutritious meals to individuals and families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas, featuring traditional holiday favorites carefully prepared to offer a comforting and wholesome experience for those who may otherwise go without during these special times.” This summer and fall, Heart-n-Soul will be hosting multiple cafes at McCormick Park, Olivet Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church, and the Moorhead Public Library to name a few, as well as their annual Harvesting Generosity event at Bear Creek Winery. “Come and join us for a meal!” Leola says. “You will receive a full, hearty and delicious meal with dessert, all fresh and local when possible, and you will be making a difference while having an amazing meal.” They are always welcoming volunteers, whenever you have even a single hour to come and help.
We live in a very caring community of people who want to help their neighbors.
Leola Dahl
Leola says that Heart-n-Soul has made her eternally grateful for everything she has, and for the support of so many community partners and community members that make the café possible. “We live in a very caring community of people who want to help their neighbors,” she says. At home, she enjoys riding bike and spending time with friends and family and caring for her rescued miniature poodle. “I always enjoy a good cup of coffee and a sweet treat with friends, family, or anyone who would like to join me! Seeing the Heart-n-Soul team working together to get an amazing meal to everyone in the community brings me great joy.”
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For information or to volunteer, contact: heartnsoulcafe.com
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STYLE
HONEY I WASHED THE KIDS
GUNDERSON'S
is a safely scented shower gel the whole family can enjoy! Available in three sizes: 3.3 oz. $11.50, 8.4 oz. $24.00, and 16.9 oz. $36.00.
5601 28th Ave S, Fargo, ND Cocktail Ring. Coffee Run Approved Who says statement jewelry has to wait for happy hour? Bold enough for cocktails - elegant enough for a Tuesday. This modern oval signet is made to steal the spotlight—every single day. 14K white gold, 0.11ctw diamond signet oval design.
$1,300
LUSH Lush Cosmetics West Acres Mall, 3902 13th Ave. S., Space 517-A, Fargo, ND 58103. 701-951-6902. Lush.com Founded in 1995, Lush is a trusted brand known for simple yet innovative, handcrafted beauty items. With organic, vegetarian (95% are vegan) ingredients and numerous options for bath, hair, cosmetics, fragrance, gift boxes, and skincare, including kids’ items, Lush is a beloved brand worldwide (51 countries). Rooted in sustainability, transparency, and advocacy, it’s a modern brand that is known for its mission of ending animal testing. Don’t miss the bath bomb bar, sample stations, and unique fabric gift wraps, along with cool gifting tins.
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CURATED ASSORTMENT Summer Holiday product holder: $14.00. Various shampoo bars (featured: Seanik, Jumping Juniper, and Honey I Washed My Hair) $15.00 each, and storage tin for your bar: $5.00. The Go Big cosmetic pouch is full of hairfocused goodies $65.00. Super Milk Protein Shampoo is available in three sizes: 3.5 oz. $15.00, 8.1 oz. $30.00, and 17.2 oz. $48.00.
NATURAL PET CENTER 3037 13th Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58103 701-239-0110 naturalpetcenter-nd.com Locally and woman-owned Natural Pet Center, founded and owned by Michelle Smith, is a go-to for dog and cat supplies, including toys, treats, over the counter medical treatments, and various accessories. Conveniently located on 13th Avenue South, the store is also a partner with the local nonprofit cat shelter, Cat’s Cradle, and temporarily features various cats that are up for adoption. There is a visitation/playroom on site for interested parties to engage with adoptable cats. Note: Those who adopt through Cat’s Cradle are given a shopping package coupon to the store that allows selection of multiple items (litter, food, treats, etc.)
TREATS Bocce’s treats for dogs: Big Top Sundae (peanut butter/banana/ Carob) and Peanut Butter Chip Froyo (peanut butter/Carob/yogurt). $7.99 Buddy Budder peanut butter based, squeezable treat in five flavors including: Glazed Donut, Cream Pop, and Gimme S’mores. $7.49
RAISED CAT BOWLS Raised cat bowls by Necoichi, featured in two of three styles available: Nordic Blue and Go Green. $29.99 each.
PLUSH DOG TOYS
COASTER DISHES
Fluff & Tuff’s machine washable line of small to large toys are tough and designed for dogs of all sizes. Stevie Octopus: $41.99, Lola Flamingo: $20.99, Savannah the Baby Gator: $15.99. Dogs love TOYBOX’s extra-loud squeaky toy “Sip Stay Vacay Muttscato”: $12.99.
Ore’Originals coaster dishes are perfect for cat meals (wet or dry) and come in five designs, including these options in aqua or terra cotta. $7.99 each. [AW] August / September 26 :: 51
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FEATURE
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You may have heard about the Nome Schoolhouse since it’s reopening in 2021, now as a state-of-the-art “maker’s mecca,” and home to a fiber mill, pastoral setting, restaurant, gift shop, event center, and boutique hotel. Purchased in 2018 by Chris Armbrust and a former business partner, the schoolhouse, which held its final graduating classes in 1966, was a dilapidated structure on the edge of the tiny community of Nome, population 47. Its grounds were dubbed a “forest” by Chris, with overgrowth hiding much of the building’s façade and obstructing proper entry. Despite its rundown appearance, the Nome Schoolhouse was, to Chris, absolutely perfect. After deciding to purchase and renovate a rural school and touring four on the market, including listings in Fingal, ND and Sheldon, ND, Wolverton, MN and Comstock MN, the deal was done, the deed was signed over, and renovations commenced immediately. One strong selling point of this location was that much of the school’s memorabilia was available. Chris comments that originally, she and her (then) partner had a $1M budget (and a lot of ideas).
Originally opened in 1916, the schoolhouse operated as the rural area’s education center for grades 1-12, with grades grouped two per classroom. Elementary students occupied the main floor classrooms while the high schoolers were in upstairs spaces. “In talking to former students,” Chris comments, “it’s clear that the younger kids were definitely a bit scared of that upper level and the older kids.” The school’s activities stretched beyond academics and despite its student and town populations being small, sports were an integral part of the mix. There were even sports for girls, an unusual occurrence considering teams for female athletes were not a regular part of mainstream athletics yet. Three years of grueling work went into renovating the schoolhouse top to bottom, removing portions that were beyond repair, reconfiguring a few spaces, preserving as much as possible of original woodwork, flooring, and structure/layout, and adding modern amenities, including a restaurant that operates four days a week and that serves as the dining facility for the many creative retreats held at the schoolhouse each year. Specializing in fiber arts, Chris and multiple instructors from around the country have turned the Nome Schoolhouse into a creative wellspring for people looking to spin, weave, knit, felt, and craft, working alongside one another in specialized classes, courses, and retreats. Groups gather year-round, with many attendees choosing to stay onsite in the building’s unique, comfortably appointed hotel rooms. These rooms are expertly curated, featuring a combination of antiques mixed with modern luxuries such as large, contemporary bathrooms, plush towels and linens, and views of the schoolhouse’s pastoral setting that is rich with North Dakota landscape; wide open spaces abound and one room looks out to the stunning barn that was recently completed through a North Dakota Tourism grant.
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The barn is home to the goats, sheep, and alpacas that call this place home, and they are the suppliers of the quality wool that is sheared then processed, turning it into soft fibers that are not only used and sold at the schoolhouse, but shipped around the US through online orders. In addition, the school’s original gymnasium has been fully renovated into an event venue that is the setting for weddings, reunions, community gatherings, corporate activities, and recently the town’s 125th anniversary. Equipped with a full bar, tables and chairs, audio/visual equipment, and a mezzanine for seating, this stunning space is a multi-use space that is vital to the area. As gorgeous and alluring as this rather unbelievable space is, there is more to the story. As with many renovations of any size, this was not an easy or problem-free project. It was massive, rather unreal in many ways, and way beyond what Chris, a former pharmacy technician raised in Casselton, ND, could fully understand when launching into the idea of buying and renovating such a large and unique building. “I am a woman of faith,” she explains, “and what you’re seeing is a testament to that because I can’t count how many times I almost gave up. I found myself saying, ‘Lord, I cannot do this’ more times than I could count.”
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It wasn’t just the magnitude of the renovations that overwhelmed Chris on occasion. It was the many setbacks and unpredicted events that would test her strength and faith. The renovations were partially done during the COVID pandemic, which caused major shortages and delays in receiving supplies, plus up to 225% increase on certain materials and items needed. Roer’s, based in Fargo, ND, served as the general contractor, managing all aspects of construction management, while Chris’ husband, a retired contractor, assisted in every area he could. Chris worked tirelessly doing aspects of renovation as well, in addition to developing the business plan and overall vision of what the company would offer. At times, it was nearly impossible to imagine the project being done and her vision coming to life, but again, she turned to faith to restore herself and keep going. “Our $1M budget? It eventually became $5M as everything cost more, took longer, and didn’t quite go as planned.” At the beginning, Chris’ former partner’s fiber arts business fed the company. Together, they grew that business from $250K to $750K, which allowed them to have a funding channel as they navigated the renovation.
COMMENTS FROM ATTENDEES: “This is our sixth visit to the schoolhouse. We are from Arizona and are retreat attendees and, at times, fiber arts instructors. This place is fabulous! The food, classes, staff, setting, rooms…all of it. It’s the best!” –Terry Neil, Phoenix, AZ (Weaving instructor, class/course attendee) “We love coming here, whether as educators or guests. It is beautiful and we always look forward to our visits to Nome.” –Beth Trotti, Phoenix, AZ (Spinning instructor, class/course attendee)
“It was the hub of our business and our cushion, as it was growing and helping us get through the high costs we were incurring.” On July 1, 2021, the Nome Schoolhouse opened its doors, even though the pandemic was in full swing. “It was nearly impossible to book and host events,” Chris said. Even so, the team persisted and the pandemic waned. Eventually it took off, with word spreading rapidly about the retreats and class offerings at the schoolhouse, the lodging and dining offerings, and the fiber mill operation, which is one of the few remaining of its kind in America. Things were looking up and when the team hosted a Kickstarter campaign to help with costs, their goal was exceeded. Funding was secured and things stabilized. Then, in December of 2024, Chris faced something she did not see coming. Her partner (and best friend), left the business and, as the partner’s daughter was the cook at the time, Chris lost that employee as well. Overnight, she went from being a team member to alone, not knowing what direction to go or what her future held.
“It was so difficult and painful. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I did not believe I could handle this alone.” Having no hotel or restaurant background, not knowing much about technology or websites, and faced with difficult decisions ahead, Chris turned to her faith. Again. “So many times I just wanted to quit, to be done with all of this,” she says. “But while growing up and being part of several Bible study groups, I learned from a friend that I am stronger than I think. She told me I have the ‘gift of faith’ and I remembered this.” Chris describes this endeavor as so much more than a renovation. “God made this my life. He led me here. I still don’t really know why, but I do know that the web is still being spun.” When doors closed, others opened, and Chris realized that by letting go, letting God be the cornerstone of her work, she would be taken care of. By happenstance, she met two highly experienced, trained chefs at an event at the schoolhouse. “Maddie and Andrew are husband and wife. They have been chefs in Fargo at Usher’s and the HoDo, along with being former restaurant owners in Fort Ransom, ND.” She met them and the next morning, her cook at the restaurant happened to quit. Instead of feeling hopeless, she knew that Maddie and Andrew would be a perfect fit for the position. [AW] August / September 26 :: 57
“I ended up with these stellar chefs who are outstanding,” she states. Also, Jeanne Roster, a valued employee who had retired from Scheel’s, happened to ask to be involved in helping run the operation. “She is a major piece of what happens here, as she is the administrative and IT expert.” Another addition was Chris’s friend Julie Johnson who jumped in to help with all accounting aspects. From there, more good things happened, with grants coming in, events continuing to book and sell out, and word of mouth marketing along with media coverage telling the story of the schoolhouse. Chris was seeing that she could do this, not alone per se, but with a solid team and her spiritual fortitude in check. In 2025, it was named World’s Greatest Historic Inn & Events Center by the television show “World’s Greatest,” and played host to the team from the “Teddy Does” series. With a full film crew and an actor playing Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, whose involvement in North Dakota’s history is typically associated with Medora and the Badlands, the Nome Schoolhouse segment showcased Teddy interacting with Walter, the property’s resident Highland Cow, and enjoying the site and accommodations.
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The schoolhouse grounds are home to a pumpkin patch and corn maze, which are family attractions, and corporate groups are steadily visiting the venue for teambuilding retreats. Chris states that attracting more teams from larger cities like Chicago is part of her vision. “I want them to come to this place, this rural, peaceful setting, and see this unique establishment.” This mother of a son and daughter, along with being stepmother to two more daughters, wife of Steve, and grandmother of 10 is a busy woman who is involved in every aspect of the schoolhouse’s operations. She launched a 501c3 nonprofit that is focused on youth education and features a program where second graders are paired (two at a time) with an elder. Together, they create felted soaps, lunch together, and learn from one another. Chris and her husband live adjacent to the property, are the owners of the town’s original theater (not currently in operation), and aren’t slowing down anytime soon. “This is my life and personally I want to inspire people, lift them up, and motivate them in their creativity and walk with faith, especially when they want to give up,” she comments. “I know that when everything is falling apart, manna from heaven always arrives.” [aw]
For information on history, events, and retreats: nomeschoolhouse.com 701.850.7764 [AW] August / September 26 :: 59
SEP 15
SOUL SOLUTIONS RECOVERY CENTER’S 4TH ANNUAL RECOVERY REQUIRES ACTION 5K RUN/WALK Join Soul Solutions Recovery Center for the Recovery Requires Action 5K, a family-friendly run/walk to raise awareness and support for individuals on the path to recovery from substance use disorder. Enjoy an evening of movement, community, and purpose as we come together to celebrate hope, resilience, and healing. All proceeds benefit Soul Solutions Recovery Center's mission.
TIME: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm LOCATION: Soul Solutions Recovery Center, 1801 38th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 CONTACT: Kellie Albrecht, Director of Development 701.433.2341; development@soulsolutions.org
SEP 20 AUG 22/ SEP 19
FARGO MASONIC VENDOR & CRAFT SHOW Come to the vendor & craft show and support small businesses. The show will be from 11-3 and lunch will be served from 11-1. It all takes place at the Fargo Masonic Center, 1405 3rd St N Fargo. If you want to be a vendor, send an email to fargomasoniccenter@gmail.com
TIME: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm LOCATION: Fargo Masonic Center, 1405 3rd St N Fargo CONTACT: www.fargomasoniccenter.org, fargomasoniccenter@gmail.com
F/M AREA OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK The Out of the Darkness walks help raise much-needed funds for suicide prevention. Dollars raised support mental health research, prevention education, advocacy, and support for loss survivors. The F/M Walk is also an opportunity to be there for one another, including ourselves, when someone is struggling. By participating, you are stepping into a growing movement of people sending the message that suicide can be prevented and that together, we can do more to save lives and support everyone’s mental health.
TIME: 12:00 pm LOCATION: Scheels Arena ,5225 31st Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104 CONTACT: afsp.org/Fargo
EVERY SATURDAY
AUG SEP
8,15,22,29 / 5,12,19,26
RED RIVER MARKET
Join us downtown Fargo for the Red River Market. Shop from 60+ local vendors, including produce, meat, eggs, bakery, pantry items, household goods, and art. Visit the Market: Saturdays*, 10am-2pm July 11- October 31 Broadway Square 201 Broadway, Downtown Fargo Join us downtown Fargo for the Red River Market. Shop from 60+ local vendors, including produce, meat, eggs, bakery, pantry items, household goods, and art. Visit the Market. Folkways is excited to share that the Red River Market returns next Saturday! The market's 12th season will run from July 11 through October 31, taking place every Saturday from 10am-2pm at Broadway Square. Red River Market’s mission is to create a place where all people can experience the joys of local food. We accept SNAP/EBT and match up to $15 per person! Visit the Red River Market information booth to learn more. Visit redriver.market to view updates to programming and vendors. This event is a program of Folkways - a community nonprofit creating belonging in the Fargo-Moorhead Area.
TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm LOCATION: Broadway Square, 201 Broadway, Downtown Fargo
Aug. 3, 10, and 17
MARIO KART CLUB 5:30 p.m.
Fargo Public Library - Main Library, 101 4th St N Abby at 701.241.1472 August 10
TEA TIME BOOK CLUB 6:30 p.m. Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S. 701.476.5980 August 13
TEDDY'S TALES: THEODORE ROOSEVELT JOHN DOBMEIER 6:30 p.m.
Main Library, 101 4th St N Lori at 701.476.5977 August 13
NAMASTE TODDLER & PRESCHOOL YOGA 10 a.m.
Fargo Public library – Main Library, 101 4th St N Children's Dept. at 701.241.1495
Aug. 14 and Sept. 11
FREE FRIDAY MOVIES AT CARLSON 1:00 p.m.
Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S. 701.476.5980 August 18
SENIOR BOOK CLUB 1:00 p.m. Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S. Kirstie at 701.298.6954 August 24
AUTHOR VISIT WITH ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON FEATURING "100 THINGS TO DO IN NORTH DAKOTA BEFORE YOU DIE " 6:30 p.m.
Main Library, 101 4th St N 701.241.1492
Aug. 27 and Sept. 24
September 17
SENSORY STORYTIME WITH ANNE CARLSON EARLY INTERVENTION 10 a.m.
AMPLIFYING A GENERATION: DAVEY BEE AND THE ELECTRIC GUITAR REVOLUTION 6:30 p.m.
Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 - 32nd Ave. S. Children's Services at 701.241.1495
Main Library, 101 4th St N Lori at 701.476.5977
September 1
September 19
GRANDMA JOY & ME 6:30 p.m. Main Library, 101 4th St N 701.241.1492 Sept. 8 and 22
POKÉMON CLUB 3:30 p.m.
INTRO TO ENGINEERING FOR KIDS 9:00 a.m.
Northport Library, 2714 Broadway N. Children's Services at 701.241.1495
Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S. Children's Services at 701.241.1495 September 12
ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY EVENT: VINYL LISTENING PARTY WITH KRFF COMMUNITY RADIO 2:00 p.m. Main Library, 101 4th St N Lori at 701.476.5977
Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public. A complete schedule of upcoming events is available at all Fargo Public Library locations and on our website at : fargolibrary.org
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on the RISE
In this issue of On the Rise, we had the opportunity to interview Meghan Duda, a prolific photographer/artist who specializes in pinhole photography. In June, Meghan presented at the Plains Art Museum’s monthly Visual Talk hosted by the FMVA (Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists). She was also part of the Plains Spring Gala in May of this year. Her work was displayed at the Museum back in 2020 in the exhibition entitled High Visibility: On Location in Rural America and Indian Country, where there were two pieces from Two Mississippi and the 32’ long Mississippi Panorama from the same trip. Most recently, Meghan’s work was featured for residency and exhibition at West Acres Mall during the months of June and July, 2026. We asked Meghan to elaborate on her work and these recent events to better understand the unique art she is creating.
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AW: What type of exhibit were you part of recently at the West Acres Mall in Fargo? MD: “In June I used half of the gallery to present my pinhole photographs made with the Trailer Obscura, the Hatbox Camera, and the Crate Camera--all homemade cameras made for specific projects. The other half of the space was converted into a Camera Obscura, a room sized camera which I invited mall guests into. Inside the Camera Obscura, they could experience the sense of wonder that brings me into my practice. I was at the mall for extended periods throughout the month to instruct people on how to interact with the space and to use the experience to understand how I made the photographs on the wall."
"This was such an awesome experience and novel way to connect with the community and talk about the Camera Obscura and my practice."
Meghan Duda
She continues, with further description of this event. “This was such an awesome experience and novel way to connect with the community and talk about the camera obscura and my practice. The mall space gave me the means to connect with people I may never connect with in a traditional museum or gallery setting. A tremendous range of people and age groups were able to experience the camera obscura, and I am so grateful for this community access. I hope that it leads to more opportunities for making a space like this. My goal is to someday have a permanent camera obscura somewhere in the region for people to enjoy at any time.” AW: Where are you from originally? MD: I was born in Massachusetts, spent formative years on the South Carolina coast, and attended undergrad in the mountains of Virginia. AW: When did you get into photography and then specifically the type of photography you're currently doing? MD: I have been consciously taking photographs since I was five years old, however I really got into it during high school. I took some classes at the Gibbs Museum of Art in Charleston, SC and was hooked. I also took a summer trip to Paris and London when I was 15 years old and have had a camera in my hand ever since."
The work I am making now emerged out of another European study in college, when I was introduced to the Camera Obscura, which is a room-sized camera that people can sit in and observe the phenomena of optics – or what happens in the human eye or in a simple camera. I specialize in pinhole photography, which is the practice of making homemade simple cameras that produce dream like imagery. The nature of the camera does not allow me to see what I will get until the image is developed in the darkroom. It is part experimental, part surprise. AW: Please tell us about your MFA work at UND. What was your focus and how did this provide a foundation for what you do now? MD: During graduated school, I was focused on finding my space between architecture, which was my undergraduate degree, and art. I was working a lot with architectural photography and creating sculptural photographs, which was ultimately the focus of my graduate exhibition. However, while in conversation with one of my advisors, the late Joel Jonientz, I described for him the experience I had in the Camera Obscura in undergrad and expressed a desire to share that moment with my own students. We came up with a hairbrained idea to make a mobile camera obscura out of a 5’x8’ trailer that I would pull behind my car. This was the birth of the Trailer Obscura, which was at the heart of my early pinhole practice. I drove that trailer all over the Red River Valley, and later along the entire length of the Mississippi River, making experimental photographs. You can see these photographs in the Trailer Obscura, One Mississippi, and Two Mississippi projects on my website.
This then evolved into other projects where I would use my photography as the catalyst to learn about place. I suppose that is really what it is all about for me - that my photography is an exploration of place – be it river, ocean, prairie, forest, or desert. These projects are just an excuse for me to get to spend time in a place and learn about its light, landforms, and story. AW: Please describe your current work at NDSU including your role at the university. MD: I am currently an Associate Professor of Art & Design at NDSU. I work with students at all levels in the department, beginning in their Foundation courses and continuing throughout their senior capstone projects. I primarily teach photography, but this allows for wonderful and invigorating crossovers with Printmaking and Graphic Design, so you will often find me in those classrooms as well. The photography program is built out of my passion for analog and experimental photography, with intro courses set in the wet darkroom where students learn to shoot, develop, and print film photographs, just like in the old days. This sets the foundation for them to later move into digital photography or continue working with analog processes. They simply love getting into the darkroom to see just how these photographs are made! While the photography program is not set up for commercial photography training, many students are finding space between photography and design, and some go on to open their own studios or join local portrait studios. I stress with each one that photography is something we encounter every day, and they can find their space to make a future if they embrace that fact. AW: Explain your artist’s focus and inspiration, including what you are drawn to and why.
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MD: My focus is constantly evolving with my own interests. I like to think of my practice as a means to get to know a place. Sometimes this will mean working with landscape, sometimes this will mean making images of plants, sometimes this will mean photographing architecture. While pinhole photography is a large part of my practice, I have also worked with other camera less processes--making photograms with carbon printing lumen printing, and cyanotype printing. At the heart is the experimentation with technique and process. I love the surprise that comes through the unknown with each process. I rarely know what the image will look like until I develop it, and that just brings so much thrill! The other aspect is the quiet act of observation that comes with the slow photographic processes that I work with. My pinhole exposures are often at least 15 minutes long, sometimes up to 24 hours, so I have the time to observe the spaces I am photographing. It is remarkable the stories that emerge, and are connected to each photograph I make, just from the simple act of sitting still and looking.
AW: Please offer some words of advice for others getting into photography/the arts/ MD: Follow your heart and enjoy the process. I think this is good for any path one would take, and is not strictly connected to the arts, but it is really at the core of a fulfilling life. I would say we are inundated with media that makes us think we need to be one thing or another, but being like everyone else online is not a way to make your mark. It is important to honor your own skill and passion. This will help you find your own way to contribute to your community. I also think that the future for the arts is in the craft and the personal story. There is a lot of buzz about AI and what it will do to the creative fields, but I believe that this will only make the handmade/human made more sought after. The future of the arts lies in finding the connection to the haptic, human experience. I sincerely hope that emerging artists continue to honor personal voice and passion for making, because this is always what sets them apart from the automatic design that will be increasingly prevalent in the
future. The art that communities will most appreciate is not something that could evolve out of a computer. The best art has always told the story of the human experience, and this will always be the case. I would also say that my journey evolved out of my varied passions. Growing up I wanted to be a photographer, an architect, a teacher, and an actor (funny enough), and somehow, I now do all these things in some way. As I settle into myself, I also have found a love for plants and ecology, so that interest also finds its way in. But if I really think about it, the art I make evolves out of the things I love, so I try to share this with my students. We all have an individual story to tell, and that’s what makes each of our creative endeavors unique and sought after. Lean into this and all will turn out in the end! [aw]
For information and to see more of Meghan’s work, please visit: meghanduda.com
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