We are so excited to announce the completion of the 2026 summer tile workshops. Austin based artist Ryah Christensen, came to North Dakota June 29th through July 2nd and led 5 tile workshops throughout the southwestern portion of North Dakota. Christensen along with Arts Across the Prairie Project manager Tobias Zikmund, visited Medora, Beach, Bowman, Hettinger, and Dickinson. The tile workshops in these towns were all well attended and lots of art was made, and stories were shared. These tile workshops were quintessential to the completion of Region 8's artwork. The tiles created by the community members at this series of workshops and the series of workshops that happened this spring, will be inlaid into the final sculpture that will be placed outside of Medora. Artist duo Ryah Christensen and Sun McColgin have expressed how an important part of Region 8's artwork design is that they honor the people who make North Dakota what it is. By inlaying these tiles into their sculpture, they hope to assist in telling the story of the community of North Dakota.
We are so grateful to all those who attended the tile workshops, and we would like to thank all those who took part in helping these workshops come to fruition.