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Vibrant arts scene

Village Arts, Inc. brings artistic experiences to Rugby

This is a dinner scene from Village Arts’ March 23 production of “Murderous Crossing” at the Rugby Eagles. Photo from Bonnie Berginski.

RUGBY – As in most rural North Dakota towns, agriculture has a prominent place in Rugby. It’s difficult to miss the ag-related businesses on the main highway through town, or the grain elevator standing tall above most every building.

But those who stop awhile in Rugby will see another strong presence here, a vibrant arts scene.

Posters and signs taped on store windows or pinned to bulletin boards announce art-related events throughout the year.

Most recently, playbills around town invited people to take in “Murderous Crossing,” a whodunit theatrical production along with a dinner and dessert auction. Prizes were given to guests who identified the murderer or wore the best 1920s-era costume.

Tickets went on sale in early February. They sold out well before the March 15 deadline to order them.

A non-profit organization called Village Arts, Inc., pulls play performances such as “Murderous Crossing” together with visual arts, music, dance and writing to make them accessible to the community.

Executive Director Bonnie Berginski heads the 501[c] 3 charity. She took over the position when former director Hubert Seiler retired two years ago.

“It’s our mission to bring artistic experiences to people in the Rugby community, not only for entertainment, but also for their engagement,” Berginski said of Village Arts.

A recent announcement Berginski shared online cited a study by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts that found the arts comprise an increasing share of the American economy — one even larger than agriculture.

Village Arts celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017.

“To learn about Village Arts’ history,” Berginski smiled, “you have to meet Glory Monson. Because Glory Monson is Village Arts.”

Monson, a retired teacher for Rugby Public Schools, devoted herself to bringing the arts to students in schools in the Minot and Rugby area in the 1960s. Her late husband, Bill, also taught at Rugby High and involved himself in artistic endeavors.

The Monsons extended their work in theater beyond the school term and students. Work with theater productions, Monson said, was a perfect way to incorporate all five classical fine arts: music, drama, writing, visual (set) art, and dance.

So, in the summer of 1967, Village Arts began with a performance of “My Fair Lady.” Monson not only directed the play, she played the part of Eliza Doolittle.

“And onstage,” Monson recalled, “I’m sitting in the cart, when the music begins it begins in a thunderstorm. And we had taped a thunderstorm earlier that day.”

Monson said the sound of thunder sounded realistic as it reverberated from the ceiling and walls of the armory, where the first performance was held.

“And I was sitting and listening, and I thought, ‘That really sounds good! I didn’t know it sounded that good!’ “

Smiling, Monson added, “And I realized then, as the rain started on the tin roof at the armory, that this was something that happened right on cue, and ended exactly on cue! And I thought, well, maybe that’s a message, and maybe God wants us to do that after all!”

As word spread about Village Arts, more in the community shared their talents. Music teacher Tilman Hovland met with the Monsons, Carol Geiszler, and others involved in arts and art education, and decided to incorporate the charity in November 1973.

Theatrical productions became a summer tradition, along with children’s theater and concerts. One particular event, held in 1976 on Rugby High’s football field, celebrated the United States bicentennial. “I had friends tell me part of that performance was shown on The Today Show on TV, but I don’t know, I didn’t see that,” Monson noted.

More programs included painting classes for adults and children, and an “Art For Life” program to bring the arts to nursing home residents.

Hovland, a retired Rugby High music teacher whose name is etched on a plaque on the school’s Tilman Hovland Auditorium, began his involvement in Village Arts musical productions in 1967. He has yet to retire from directing musical productions for the community.

Hovland said he witnessed Village Arts’ musical offerings expand to include a string orchestra, directed by the late Deb Jenkins in 1998.

“I’ve liked doing orchestra since it started,” noted Hovland, “and, well, I’m still doing it.”

Hovland said between 40 and 50 musicians play in Village Arts’ orchestra.

“Actually,” Hovland laughed, “The Minot State Orchestra, they always used to use the caption, ‘The Smallest Town in the United States That Has an Orchestra’. Well, they had to drop that after we got ours going here.”

“We have the orchestra do two programs a year. We have a fall program which is also a Christmas program, and that’s the first Sunday in December,” he noted.

“We’re in the process of getting ready for the spring one and that takes place the last Sunday in April.”

The April 28 Spring Pops concert will feature a performance by local musician Ivana Petrovich. Ely Elementary School music teacher Andee Mattson and Julia Petrovic will also lend their talents to the production.

Berginski said Village Arts is “in a turnover period” and seeks contributions from artists who would like to volunteer their time and talents.

Hovland described the local community as “very gracious and very helpful in promoting it (Village Arts), and we’ve never lacked for people to be in it. We do have financial problems once in awhile to get together money to fund it.”

Village Arts, Inc. may be contacted on www.facebook.com or at P.O. Box 413, Rugby, North Dakota 58368.

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