by Ellen Rossow

rossowel@mnstate.edu

Fargo-Moorhead’s newest art gallery and creative education space had its grand opening event Sept. 10.

Make Room is located in downtown Fargo, near Mexican Village. The grand opening event marked the start of an exhibit featuring artwork from Moorhead native and Concordia alumna, Emily Swedberg.

Swedberg’s exhibit, inspired by “wildlife architecture,” includes eight large drawings, taller than the artist herself, as they stand over five feet. Depicting animal and insect homes, Swedberg used these images to tie her love for art into her new-found vegan lifestyle.

“It also explores the patterns and simplicity yet complexity of all of these structures and how they are useful to each species,” she said.

While Swedberg’s artwork is the main focus of the gallery at this time, the grand opening event also allowed her to share homemade goodies from her upcoming vegan bakery, which she is pursuing an LLC for at this time.

Chelsea Thorson, Make Room founder, and Swedberg have only known each other for a few months, but their relationship grew quickly over their mutual love of creativity. 

A love of all things creative is also what inspired Thorson to pursue the opening of Make Room, a space for not only art viewing but all things creative.

“Make Room will be a space for creative activity of all kinds,” she said. “There will be free social hours for mingling and skill sharing, creative classes for kids and adults, yoga, book clubs, and gallery shows monthly.”

Because it provides an outlet for those wanting to get started in creative teaching, Thorston believes her space is unique and necessary for the ever-growing creative community in Fargo.

“A unique aspect of the space is that it can offer support to craftspeople who want to share their skills,” she said. “Some people have never taught, and it’s difficult to start. Make Room provides a space and support with promotion, registration, supplies and instruction.”

Thorson has been teaching creative workshops at Unglued Market on Broadway for a few years. She also grew up expressing herself through art and with an artistic family. Getting support from her father and artistic mother from a young age, Thorston knows the importance of support for budding and even experienced artists.

Thorson contributes the success of her grand opening event to the creative community and encourages everyone to do what they can to get involved in F-M’s art scene.

“The arts community here in Fargo-Moorhead is outstanding,” she said. “Artists are so supportive of new work, so it’s important to get involved, especially if you feel you have something new to bring to the art scene.”

More information about Make Room, its various workshops, events and gallery showings can be found on Make Room’s Facebook page or at makeroomfargo.com.