City Salute: UTTC Art Gallery | Video

Kristin Clouston | 11/14/2012

A unique treasure trove in Bismarck could be worth more than a million dollars and you can see it for free. The UTTC Art Gallery used to show its art collection by appointment only. Now it`s open to the public every day. That`s why KFYR-TV and City Magazine are giving it our salute for November.

UTTC Gallery Director Jess Clairmont wasn`t sure what type of traffic they`d get when it opened to the public.

"We`ve been getting a good turn out on weekends. It`s very interesting and I like hearing the comments people have been giving. We`ve been getting quite a few foreigners," Clairmont said.

The oldest works in the collection are museum quality pieces donated by UTTC President David Gipp`s family.

"We have to go back 100-120 years and many of the pieces that we consider as art really are pieces that were a functional part of life at that time," he said.

You can also check out past winners of the schools juried art show or new pieces like these horse skulls.

"You don`t see it very much up in this area. Not as much as the buffalo skull or the cattle skulls but more and more it`s coming back. As it`s added decorations and painting leatherwork, beading, and quill work that`s added to it. It`s becoming more so acceptable with the native artists," Clairmont said.

The gallery is holding a holiday open house the first weekend in December and all ages are welcome.

You can find copies of this month`s city magazine on stands throughout Bismarck-Mandan.

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