New exhibit features work from teens

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – The State Historical Society has put together a new exhibit that showcases the voices and ideas of North Dakota teenagers. On Saturday two finalists were awarded and got to see their submissions on display.

It’s a fact that almost everything in the North Dakota Heritage Center is old. But a new exhibit is bringing in fresh ideas from teenagers across the state. ”My mom showed it to me and I thought it would be fun to apply,” said finalist Olivia Stramer. The State Historical Society asked teenagers to submit work based on the theme ‘What is Community.’ The two finalists chosen got to see their work on display in the museum. One of them is Olivia Stramer, who wrote a story about a coffee shop and its various customers. ”You really don’t get attached to any of the characters except a scientist, the rest just come and go,” said Stramer. The other finalist Josie Legge created a picture of an annual church supper that brings the small town of Wimbledon together. ”It took a while to actually sketch it out first before I started it and the people were the hardest part of it,” said Legge. Both said it is exciting to see their work on display. Olivia and Josie say inspiration was everywhere and each had other ideas before landing on their final submission. ”I just thought that those two were mostly what community is from around my area,” said Legge. Olivia says even the exhibit itself relates to the theme. ”But it’s a community itself because everyone who reads it is part of the little community,” said Stramer. Though everything else in the museum is older than Olivia and Josie’s work, almost all of the artifacts follow the same theme, community- just what it looked like way back then.

The State Historical Society is accepting submissions for the 2025 ‘Teen Takeover’. Teens in the state are invited to submit work interpreting the theme ‘What North Dakota means to me.’ You can find more details by clicking here.

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