A New York City-based artist has spent this week in a studio at Minot State University working on pieces with two Minot-based artists which will be incorporated into a 140-foot long mural commissioned by Altru Health for its new hospital in Grand Forks.

Casey Opstad, a Grand Forks native, said the hospital has partnered with the Grand Forks Art Commission to contract or acquire pieces from local and regional artists to furnish its walls, and ultimately commissioned his pitch for the mural, which he has dubbed “Seasons.”

Abby Manock enjoys her work, whether creating something for herself or for a specific client. She takes a systematic yet intuitive approach to the composition of an object, picture plane, or interaction. Abby finds joy in the intersection between her studio practice and commissioned or commercial projects, embracing new opportunities as a way to continually learn and evolve. Her approach allows spontaneity to emerge within a controlled framework, giving her the freedom to explore new directions while maintaining focus.

Fifteen area artists have been commissioned to produce artwork that will be displayed throughout the new Altru Hospital, which is set to officially open in January, Altru Health System officials said.

Construction of the new hospital is expected to be completed Oct. 1. After all systems are checked and approved as functioning correctly by “regulatory bodies and other partners, the first day that patients will (receive care) is planned for Jan. 19,” said Annie Bonzer, Altru’s director of strategy and communications. The hospital is “on track” to meet that target, she said.

An art exhibit about a hot breakfast cereal with origins in Grand Forks is displayed at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea downtown in the Olive Ann Hotel. On view are four original paintings from a century ago that chronicle an innovative advertising campaign used to promote Cream of Wheat created by some the country’s most important and renown artists of the time. This is the second grouping of four original Cream of Wheat that has been exhibited since January of 2024.