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Anima Cacina in downtown Bismarck is in its fifth year of operation. Kenny Howard, one of its owners, was able to chat with our group and shared how the meaning behind the name is “soul kitchen”. Anima Cacina features woodfire cooking and European cuisine. It has an Italian-inspired menu and wine bar. Signature dishes from Anima Cacina include pizzas, salads, gelato, and coffee. They are passionate about people having a unique experience here. Their coffee is excellent!
While at Anima Casina, John Bollinger, owner and CEO of the Bismarck Larks, joined us on our visit. He mentioned how there are 24 teams in the Northwoods League, their summer collegiate baseball league. With their games, they go above and beyond to create the family experience and want to make a difference in people’s lives. John shared how 90% of the tickets they sell have food and beverage included. That’s impressive. He said, “Fun makes a difference – for the fans, employees, players, the experience.”
There are events above and beyond at the Larks games. Music is going on, players are at the front gate to greet and sign autographs, and things going on in the stands. The mascots of the Bismarck Larks are Clark the Lark and Merifeather Lewis.
Players on the Bismarck Larks stay with host families in the area while on the team. They play 72 games in 76 days! John mentioned how a team was recently started in Minot too, the Minot Hot Tots.
Bismarck Downtown Artist Cooperative (BDAC)
Unfortunately, I didn’t know how instrumental art was to Bismarck/Mandan and beyond until my visit last month. Bismarck Downtown Artist Cooperative (BDAC) is an art gallery and art studio space for and by local artists.
Paul Noot shared with us how he and others started BDAC in 2011. Originally there were six owners and now there are 12. There are 113 artist members. This includes about 15 student members.
BDAC does an art exchange with the art cooperatives in Fargo and Minot. Classes are offered periodically for kids and other groups at the BDAC.
Alley 5.5
Very near to the Radisson, there is a hidden treasure known as Alley 5.5. In collaboration with local artist, Nicole Gagner, a public outdoor art gallery was created that is always on display. Nicole’s piece in Alley 5.5 is called “Grandma’s Pickles”.
Nicole also has a very unique business beyond producing her own work. She does vending machine art, which features work from 30 local artists.
Bismarck has the option to scan QR codes like this one to then get a self-guided tour of art in the city. Very cool.
Nicole Gagner also helped decorate this building where a farmer’s market is held and it’s near the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark. One end of the building has a space for visitors to color with chalk and to even add a little bit of their owner’s personal touch.
Here’s another display of visual art we saw in the city. During the day, it gets a bit hidden from cars parking in front of it but is fun to admire.
Here are a few more recent pieces by Paul Noot on Sweet Ave. and 1st St. I love how he pulls in local elements to showcase what North Dakota has to offer and what represents this great state.
Bismarck Art and Galleries Association (BAGA)
BAGA is a private non-profit art gallery that is open to the public at no charge. It has been around since 1983. They have two part-time staff, 75 volunteers, and 350 members. Originally the property was a warehouse for Northern Pacific Railroad.
Inside the building, there are two galleries. A featured group is in the main gallery and then there is also a member gallery. Doug and Walter’s Dog and Pony Show was the exhibit being shown in the main gallery during our visit featuring the works of Doug Pfliger, Walter Piehl, and Ned Krouse, but ended June 30th.
At BAGA, we also got to experience a zentangle class with Pam Vukelic, who is a certified zentangle teacher. She discovered zentangle from her billiards partner who was a certified zentangle teacher. She fell in love with zentangle and went out to Rhode Island to get certified.
With our session, we all go the same instructions and as you can see from above, we all created something uniquely different. Pam brought in a wooden bowl and egg to show zentangle on a different medium that someone had given to her.
Lunch on our last day brought us to Blarney Stone Irish Pub in downtown Bismarck. While there, I did order Bangers & Mash to try, which is their Champ potatoes topped with four Irish sausages, and sautéed onions with gravy. This dish comes with baked beans and was overall very tasty.
Blarney Stone Pub has locations in North Dakota and one in South Dakota. It is in Bismarck, Sioux Falls, Fargo, and West Fargo. In Bismarck, they have outdoor seating available, weather permitting.
