“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of construction, it was the age of snow.” A Tale of Two Cities is a classic from Charles Dickens. The novel explores themes of economic and political unrest between Paris and London that eventually lead up to the American and French Revolutions. The Spirit Room is asking artists to consider themes of revolution, resurrection, and duality to help celebrate the historical novel’s entry into the public domain. Though the work focuses on Paris and London artists are free to interpret themes as they please. These could be Fargo and Moorhead, two people in love, the distance between your hands, etc. The primary means of communication concerning the exhibition will be e-mail. Please ensure you provide an e-mail you check with some frequency as there are often additional opportunities related to the exhibition, and reminders regarding drop off and pick up.


A Tale of Two Cities. A Tale of Two Cities is an open, non-competitive festive exhibit celebrating Charles Dickens classic work “A Tale of Two Cities” as it joins the public domain this year.
A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in the Bastille in Paris, and his release to live in London with his daughter Lucie whom he had never met. A complex novel it explores themes of resurrection, the necessity of sacrifice, the tendency towards violence and oppression in revolutionaries, class inequities, socioeconomic strife, struggle, and justice among many more.
Our artists were invited to interpret the novel and its themes in whichever means they found most appropriate. We are fortunate to be presenting work from twenty of the regions talented artists including Beth Bradley, Karen Perry-Anderson, Thom Tammaro, Joetta Weible, Carol Albright and many more.
The reception will be held on Thursday, March 23 rd at 5:00 p.m. Food and drinks will be available, and the event is open and free to the public.
A Tale of Two Cities is made possible through funding in part by North Dakota Council on the Arts and the Arts Partnership.