BISMARCK — “The Art of Making Do: Folk Culture and Heritage of Germans From Russia” is now on exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck, according to State Historical Society of North Dakota information.

The exhibition, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of German Russian immigrants through their folk culture and heritage, is a partnership of the Tri-County Tourism Alliance and the State Historical Society of N.D.

Alliance members will be available Wednesday from 1:30-3 p.m. in the exhibit space to visit with the public and answer questions.

“The German Russian immigrants left an indelible mark on North Dakota and our current world,” said Bill Peterson, director of the State Historical Society of N.D. “We all recognize the importance of that community and the lessons they have left us if we just take the time to look.”

Before sustainability practices like repurposing, reusing and recycling became widespread, resourceful German Russian immigrants relied on these techniques to build new lives on the prairie. “The Art of Making Do” highlights how these homesteaders transformed their surroundings through traditional skills brought from the old country, crafting textiles, embroidery, woodcarvings and ironwork that shaped their homes and communities.

While many early folk art pieces have been lost, the traditions, trades and skills embodied by German Russian immigrants continue to thrive. The exhibit includes historical and contemporary folk art and metalwork from Logan, McIntosh and Emmons counties, and the State Historical Society collections.

The exhibit will remain on view through September 2025.