OPERA, Inc - Owner of the Ellendale Historic Opera House

05/04/2026

OPERA HOUSE TO HOST RECEPTION MAY 23; EVENT TO HONOR KEN SCHMIERER'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS

The Ellendale Opera House will host a public reception, Saturday, May 23 to recognize long-time community and arts advocate and former O.P.E.R.A., Inc. board member Ken Schmierer, who died last December.

The reception will be held after the memorial service at the Presbyterian United Methodist Church in Ellendale. The memorial service at the church is at 1:00 pm.

Ken grew up in Ellendale and returned to town in 2004 after a career in corporate IT work in Texas.

He bought a home on Main Street and began a 25-year period promoting the arts and humanities in a variety of official and unofficial roles, including serving on the Ellendale Area Arts Council, the O.P.E.R.A. Board of Directors, the Prince of Peace Care Center and Ellendale Tourism Board.

He organized the Ellendale "Walk of Fame" program, which is held every five years to recognize individuals who have contributed to the betterment of the community and society.

Along with his many community activities related to the arts, Ken promoted the arts and humanities statewide through his service on the North Dakota Humanities Council and became a well-recognized photographer with a focus on his hometown places and people.

During the reception, at 3:00 pm, the Lobby and Gallery exhibit space will be renamed the "Kenneth C. Schmierer Gallery" and an exhibit of his photographs will be unveiled.

Refreshments will be served during the reception. There is no charge.

O.P.E.R.A. – Organization of People in Ellendale for Restoration of the Arts – was formed in 1992 to save the Main Street landmark from the wrecking ball.

The Ellendale Opera House and its services are available to all persons without discrimination as to race, color, religion, s*x, national origin, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability. O.P.E.R.A., Inc. is an equal opportunity provider.

04/05/2026

12/18/2025

O.P.E.R.A., Inc. RECEIVES $250,000 GRANT FROM N.D. COMMERCE TO HELP FUND OPERA HOUSE RESTORATION

A $250,000 grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce will help fund restoration of two Ellendale Opera House store spaces and replacement of the dilapidated store façades fronting Main Street.
The Tourism and Community Enhancement grant was announced November 25 and work on renovation of the storefronts is expected to begin in the spring.
The renovation work will bring the Annex space (adjoining the Lobby & Gallery) and the former Coleman Clothing store space up to the point where those spaces can be leased to interested businesses or organizations.
The improvements would include new bathrooms in the old Coleman space, plus new electrical, heating and ventilation equipment and a new rear entrance to serve the Coleman space.
O.P.E.R.A., Inc. – the non-profit organization that owns and operates the historic building – will contribute more than $150,000 to the restoration project.
Meanwhile, O.P.E.R.A.'s 2025 annual fund drive has reached $100,000 in private contributions. The "Gaining Momentum" Fund Drive will continue until the end of the year.
To donate, mail your contribution to O.P.E.R.A. at P.O. Box 334, Ellendale, ND 58436, or donate online at: www.ellendaleoperahouse.com/donate.
Contributors can direct their support for special naming/sponsorship opportunities, such as the restored Annex, upstairs auditorium, stage rehabilitation or restoration of the Main Street windows.
Donors at all sponsorship levels will be recognized by having their names – or the name of someone they wish to honor or memorialize – listed on a permanent display mounted in the opera house lobby. For naming/sponsorship opportunities, contact Justin at 701-535-0347.
Contributors of more than $300 between now and December 31 will receive a newly designed opera house mug.
O.P.E.R.A. – Organization of People in Ellendale for Restoration of the Arts – was formed in 1992 to save the Main Street landmark from the wrecking ball. Because O.P.E.R.A. is a charitable non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The Ellendale Opera House and its services are available to all persons without discrimination as to race, color, religion, s*x, national origin, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability. O.P.E.R.A., Inc. is an equal opportunity provider.

09/22/2025

NEW ART EXHIBIT FOR SEPTEMBER

Micah Bloom is an artist and educator who lives in Minot, ND and teaches at Minot State University.

"Bloomkin" is a collection of creative family endeavors, a multimedia expression of eight people living and making together.

For an artist, the family can be both the support and the hinderance to producing and achieving.

The exhibit is open Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in September & October.

The Ellendale Opera House and its services are available to all persons without discrimination as to race, color, religion, s*x, national origin, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability.

O.P.E.R.A., Inc., the non-profit charitable organization that operates the historic Ellendale Opera House, is an equal opportunity provider.

The Ellendale Opera House is ADA accessible with ADA parking at the rear entrance of the building.

08/05/2025

Art exhibit featuring Connie Gisi from Webster, SD is on display in the Ellendale Opera House Lobby & Gallery through Aug. 30.
Connie is a lover of animals, outdoors, adventures and life, and all of her paintings are "Pleine Aire" (the act of painting outdoors) or from photos she took.

Currently on exhibit are works in watercolor, pastel and oil. Exhibit open Fridays in August, 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Admission is free.

The Ellendale Opera House and its services are available to all persons without discrimination as to race, color, religion, s*x, national origin, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability.

O.P.E.R.A., Inc., the non-profit charitable organization that operates the historic Ellendale Opera House, is an equal opportunity provider.

The Ellendale Opera House is ADA accessible with ADA parking at the rear entrance of the building.

The exhibit is underwritten by O.P.E.R.A., Inc., the non-profit charitable organization that owns and operates the historic Ellendale Opera House.