Established in 1982, the Bemidji Community Art Center is located in the Carnegie Library in downtown Bemidji on the shores of Lake Bemidji. For more information about the Carnegie building, see the Building History For more information about Bemidji see Our Neighborhood.
We are a non-profit member-supported organization dedicated to encouraging the growth and development of art in our Community. The BCAC provides gallery space for exhibitions, music, poetry readings and social events for many organizations. We display national, regional and local artists in group exhibits, solo shows and installations featuring a new exhibit each month from February through December.
The Bemidji Community Art Center is home to three galleries that show new exhibits every month February through December. While the Main Gallery is designed to hold larger works and group exhibitions, Gallery X2 and X3 are better suited for smaller exhibits or more intimate works.
Our exhibit schedule may be booked anywhere from 6 months to a year in advance but we encourage artists to apply at any time. For information on applying and an application, please go to our Artist Opportunities page.
We are sponsors of the monthly First Friday Art Walk , our yearly Friends of the Arts celebration in May recognizing a community member for their contributions and our annual summer art fair Art in the Park. The BCAC is proud to serve as a resource for the artist, art enthusiast, art buyer and the community as a whole.
Made up of a group of dedicated Volunteers, the Board of the BCAC comes from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Contact us at the BCAC if you are interested in joining this exciting group of people and help make art happen!
Vision
The BCAC strives to increase art awareness by
- serving as an arts communication network
- providing an arts facility for the community and artists
- presenting and sponsoring quality art exhibits
- organizing art festivals
- generating active community participation
- coordinating with other art organizations for a stronger arts community
Mission
Bemidji Community Art Center encourages growth and development of and access to the visual arts in the Bemidji Area.
Location
426 Bemidji Ave. N.
Bemidji, MN. 56601
Hours
- Tuesday through Friday 12 to 5 pm
- Saturday 12 to 4 pm
- Holiday closings include July 4th and Thanksgiving Day. The BCAC is also closed annually from December 15th through January 15th and the last two weeks in May.
Contact
bcac@paulbunyan.net
Board Members
- Lorie Yourd, Artist, President
- Jan Wright-Knutson, Bemidji High School Art Teacher, Vice President
- Joann Hovet, Artist and Cass Lake Elementary Art Teacher, 2nd Vice President
- Pat Kelly, Retired, Secretary
- T. Todd Masman, Director of the BSU Hobson Union, Treasurer
- Natalie Roholt, Meritcare Dermatologist, Past President
- Bill Kelly, Retired Bemidji State University Art Professor, Past Vice President
- Natalia Hirmirska, Bemidji State University Art Teacher
- John Lembi, Artist/Craftsman
- Anthony Swann, writer
- Laura Goliaszewski, artist, Executive Director of the Talley Gallery at Bemidji State University
Staff
Lori Forshee-Donnay, Executive Director bcac@paulbunyan.net, # 218-444-7570
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