Once in a while, something unique and extra-meaningful pops along to Minot’s art scene. The Be-the-Cause Art Show and Auction, coming up on April 15, is one such event. Spearheaded by Holly Jacobs and Kim Urban and hosted by the Minot Country Club, Be-the-Cause is the first known local art expo to highlight such a specific arts-centered theme.

This formal event will feature live music, games, food and drinks–all in the name of art. More specifically, “Disability Art”, which is art and art therapy created by a person with any type of disability. Jacobs told the Northern Sentry that she became passionate about this cause several years ago when she was diagnosed with early onset Parkinsons; however, she really disliked the term “Disability Art”. When it came time to find a name for her awareness event, she went another way with the term “Be-the-Cause of Art”.

All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Department of American Veterans and (W)evolve Therapy Services. Jacobs explained, “I chose the DAV because my husband is retired from the military and (W)evolve will be using our donations for a startup program paint and chat for their clients to participate free of charge!”.

At the time of the interview, Jacobs informed the Northern Sentry that the event was delightfully all sold out to attendees, but that people can still donate to the cause by utilizing the paypal account linked to the QR code. Despite the sought after event now being closed, Jacobs went into detail describing what the lucky guests can expect saying, “[guests will] enjoy cocktails (cash bar) and jazz music from local saxophonist Erik Anderson from the Minot Symphony Orchestra. They will peruse the silent auction with beautiful pieces of art all donated from artists from our local area. We will also have Josephine Vargo Photography taking photos of the guests! We will have Lee Anna Hughes LCSW from (W)evolve Therapy Services speak about art therapy, PD, mental health, and their new program! Shaun Sipma will be our emcee and our auctioneer for the live auction part at the end of the night.”

All of the art pieces up for both silent and live auction during the evening have been donated by local North Dakota artists. Jacobs said that people warned her she might have a hard time getting artists to donate their work to the cause, but surprisingly she got a positive response from almost every artist she spoke to.

Jacobs is hoping to raise at least $10,000 to support the art classes and therapy programs for any affected by mental or physical illness.

“To practice any art, no matter how well or how badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. So do it.” – Kurt Vonnegut