During your visit to this Fargo, North Dakota attraction, explore the Museum’s permanent collection, numbering over 3,000 works of art, including national and regional contemporary art, traditional American Indian art and traditional folk art as well as special exhibitions. Shopping and dining is offered at Café Muse and The Store.
Plains Art Museum Collection
Frank Big Bear Jr.
Highlights within the collection include a piece by Frank Big Bear Jr., known for his Prismacolor pencil drawings that explore issues that affect him as both an artist and Native American. Representing Frank Big Bear Jr. is a piece which illustrates the various problems Native Americans are faced with including racism, legal injustices and life on and off the reservation.
David P. Bradley
Artist David P. Bradley is known for his works of art with a political message advocating the advancement of Native American rights. Bradley is represented in the collection with a parody of the Mona Lisa that explores the impact pop culture has had on traditional American Indian culture.
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt is a renowned American artist known for her impressionist paintings and Japanese-inspired prints. One of Cassatt’ prints of a girl wearing a large-brimmed hat can be found in the Museum’s collection.
Luis Jimenez
A bold, vibrant and sleek sculpture in the collection, commissioned by the city of Fargo and sculpted by Luis Jimenez, celebrates the strength and determination of farmers.
George Morrison
George Morrison is renowned for his unique style that often incorporates abstract and broad geometric shapes. Plains Art Museum’s watercolor piece of a landscape divided into four segments represents the early works of George Morrison.
Walter Piehl Jr.
Among the Museum’s collection is Walter Piehl Jr.’s portrayal of the conflict between the bucking horse and the rider, brilliantly capturing the movement and energy of a rodeo.
James Rosenquist
James Rosenquist is one of the most significant painters of the Pop Art movement, known for his billboard-sized paintings and peculiar subject matter. Within the collection is one of his works which seems to be a commentary on kitchen technology.
Fritz Scholder
Representing artist Fritz Scholder is a piece that focuses on the activities inside a Pueblo kiva. The piece reflects what Scholder calls “real Indian art” and his frequent “untraditional” depiction of Native Americans.
Todd H. Strand
Representing Todd H. Strand is a photograph of a poor, rundown school and its 11 students. The image captures the strength and resilience of the North Dakota people.
Star Wallowing Bull
Native Americans, mainstream American symbols, pop culture allusions and animals are incorporated in a piece by Star Wallowing Bull, an artist known for his vibrant and detailed Prismacolor pencil drawings.
William Wegman
The art museum’s holdings include a photograph taken by William Wegman. Like many of Wegman’s works, the photo features one of artist’s gray Weimaraner dogs, positioned in a velvet armchair that is tipped on its back.
Dining at Café Muse
Enjoy a snack or lunch at Café Muse, located on the first floor of the Museum. Café Muse’s menu features breakfast options, soups, salads and sandwiches as well as desserts and coffee drinks.
Shop The Store
Be sure to stop by The Store at the Plains Art Museum. Original gifts and keepsakes including jewelry, a wide selection of books, artwork, clothing, home décor, notebooks, cards and toys are available to purchase.
- The Plains Art Museum is ADA compliant.
- Photography is allowed in non-gallery areas of the Museum. Photography is prohibited in the galleries due to the detrimental effects of flash and copyright restrictions.