“Art is for everyone.” This is Ali LaRock’s approach for bringing the visual arts to young people across the state of North Dakota. If you haven’t already heard of her, Ali LaRock is a practicing and exhibiting artist living and working in Bismarck. Most people, however, know her for the work she does with young people in the Bismarck/Mandan community.
The title for what Ali’s does is called an artist-in-residence. This means that any organization or school can contract with Ali to bring her in as a guest artist to work with students of any age level.
In her classes, Ali teaches a variety of mediums such as painting, drawing, cartooning, bookmaking, sculpture, and mask making. Students learn the basic techniques first then are able to expand the projects in their own personal directions. Her ultimate goal is to challenge students to push the limits of the lessons by experimenting and following their own instincts and ideas while creating their art. “I believe there is no right or wrong way to create art,” Ali says, “As humans I think we have a natural urge to create and express ourselves using our hands and imaginations.”
Though her job as a guest artist takes her all over North Dakota, Ali values the time she spends in her own community. “I feel it’s really important to be able to work in the place I live. This is the first season where all my jobs happen to be right here in Bismarck-Mandan and I am loving it. Working in the community allows me the opportunity to take the work I’m doing a little further”
The summers she spent working at Elks Camp Grassick set the stage for her philosophy of working with people. Working with people of different ability levels showed her what a difference a positive approach with people makes. Ali always tries to carry this attitude into her classes. Her goal is to create an inspiring environment in which people can have fun while making art. “Creating art allows us to step into that timeless space where we can just lose ourselves in the process.” says Ali.
Setting up an inspiring environment has perhaps been one of the things that has made classes like ‘Art of Harry Potter Camp’ and ‘Is the Pirates Life for You?’ so popular.
Bobbie Crane, a junior at Concordia College, took Ali’s Harry Potter art classes during her 7th-12th grade years. When asked what she enjoyed most about Ali’s classes, Bobbie recalled Ali’s unique ability to immerse people in the genre and in the creative world. “There were no limits on what we could do with our projects and I appreciated the freedom.”
Apart from her involvement in Theo Arts and the Sleepy Hollow summer programs, Ali also has her own business called ‘Creative Art Parties’. One can hire Ali LaRock to visit their birthday party or any special occasion and do art and special themed projects. Choose from a variety of projects then Ali shows up with the supplies and offers the lesson wherever your party is being held.
What Ali loves about being a teaching artist that is brings people together and allows them to have a fun and relaxing experience with art. “So many times I hear ‘I can’t draw. I’m no good at art or I don’t have a creative bone in my body’. Everyone has something to express. Art skills are something that can be developed and taught just like anything else. I have students who have been in my classes year after year and it is so exciting to be able watch their artistic abilities and visions grow”
AK Koebele, age 12, has been taking classes from Ali LaRock since she was five. AK’s favorite class has been Ali’s famous Harry Potter camps, where the students participate in a creative Hogwarts school experience like wand making, potion making, and even herbology. Courtney Koebele, AK’s mother, remarks, ” Ali is a great artist and inspiration for the Bismarck community. We are so lucky to have her to teach our kids. ”
If you are interested in having Ali bring art to you, your students or kids check out her website www.alilarock.com to see her class listing, artist in residence, and creative art party information. Her personal artwork can also be found on her website as well as Latitudes Gallery, 107 N. 5th St. Bismarck, and the Hotel Donaldson in Fargo.