Opening Reception of Trees in Transition

Please join us at the Spirit Room for the celebration of “Trees in Transition,” a collection of finely carved wooden sculptures in various themes by Jim Motl, and a collection of fine Tibetan thangka paintings.

Jim is originally from Bismarck, ND, but has lived in Fargo for the past twenty-four years. He has held a variety of skilled professions including farmer-rancher, welder, machinist, boiler operator and maintenance mechanic.
Jim began practicing meditation with Dawn Morgan at the Spirit Room eight years ago. Jim continued the group practice, finding that it helped calm his mind and provided more clarity and focus. Over time attending these weekly meditations led into discussions of Buddhism and to attending the weekly Buddhist book club. Through the discussion of Buddhist texts, he began incorporating some of these practices into his daily life, finding they further aided in his focus for sculpting. Eventually he visited Minneapolis where he attended retreats with Khenpo Sherab Sanpo, which transitioned him to accept Buddhism as his personal philosophy.

While aiding a friend six years ago in removing an ironwood tree, Jim became inspired to embark upon chainsaw carving, though once he began, he found he couldn’t stop until the finer details had been ebbed and eddied to the surface using dremels, carving knives, and staining. Instead of ending up as firewood the tree became a Tiki statue, a Buddha and two dragons. Jim says he believes he is sculpting trees, not wood, as the original tree is kept in mind during its transformation.

The reception will be held on Thursday, September 7th at 5:00 p.m.

Food and drink will be available, and the event is open and free to the public. For those unable to attend in person the artist talks will be streamed through Facebook Live.
“Trees in Transition” is made possible through funding in part by North Dakota Council on the Arts and the Arts Partnership.
Who: Open to the public
Cost: Free
Contact Us: fargospiritroom@gmail.com