ArtsAlive Summer 2018
A seasonal celebration of the arts in South Dakota
On the cover:
Longtime South Dakota Arts Council touring artist Hank Harris was one of the featured performers at the recent State Arts Conference in Sioux Falls May 4 and 5, playing a set with the Hegg Brothers. See photos from the conference on pages 4 and 5 of this issue. Cover photo by Chris Benson, Rapid City. Check out upcoming performances and learn more about Hank’s music at www.hankharrismusic.com.
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Summer 2018 Volume 20, Issue 3
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Arts Alive South Dakota is published by Arts South Dakota PO Box 2496 Sioux Falls, SD 57101-2496 605-252-5979 Send story ideas, arts photos or article submissions to Thurman & Thurman, Arts Alive editors, PO Box 1713, Sioux Falls, SD 57101 or by email to tandt@sio.midco.net. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish mailed material returned to you. Page 2
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State Arts Conference photo gallery
Arts Education Institute: A teacher’s perspective
Traveling art exhibit explores the impact of Wounded Knee
Celebrate South Dakota’s cultural diversity with folklorist Josh Chrysler
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State Poetry Out Loud champ wins at nationals
Mark your calendar for the 2019 Governor’s Awards in the Arts
Celebrating 50 years of Red Cloud Indian Art Shows Summer ArtScopes
Mailing address change?
Need to change your Arts Alive mailing address? Contact Arts South Dakota directly!
Email us at info@ArtsSouthDakota.org or visit the Contact Us page at www.ArtsSouthDakota.org. Please give us the current name and address to which Arts Alive is being mailed, along with all of your new mailing address information.
State Arts Conference shows that South Dakota does it right A conversation with keynote speaker Randy Cohen andy Cohen is Vice President of Research and Policy at Americans for the Arts, the nation’s advocacy organization for the arts. A noted expert in the field of arts funding, research, policy and using the arts to address community development issues, Cohen recently published Americans Speak Out About the Arts, a national study about the public’s opinions and participation in the arts. He publishes The National Arts Index, the annual measure of the health and vitality of arts, as well as the two premier economic studies of the arts industry—Arts & Economic Prosperity, the national impact study of nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences, and Creative Industries, an annual mapping study of the nation’s 675,000 arts establishments and their employees. Cohen was a keynote speaker at the 2018 South Dakota State Arts Conference, addressing a luncheon for Sioux Falls business leaders and the opening night banquet, attended by nearly 200 conference participants. Cohen shared his thoughts about the 2018 Arts Conference with Arts Alive.
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Arts Alive: Why is an arts conference important?
Randy Cohen: A state arts conference inspires and energizes us. The South Dakota conference had it all: great music, a mesmerizing visual arts show and solid information about the business of the arts. I was recharged by my visit. I travel to 40 cities a year and I can tell you that this was an excellent conference in every way. Throughout the two days, there were wonderful informative sessions—from the business luncheon that brought 100 community leaders together to hear the impact of the arts on the state economy to a ballroom filled with engaged people eager to share their cultural experiences with others.
What makes the arts successful in South Dakota?
I talked to so many people at the conference who make art as well as create opportunities that engage their communities—
using art to improve the local quality of life, build bridges with business and governments, and to strengthen their economies. Each person I talked to gave me a more amazing view of what’s happening in the arts all across the state. These are the remarkable professionals who are in the trenches every day— creating, leading, linking—and keeping the lights on to ensure that the arts are thriving in South Dakota.
What is unique about South Dakota’s arts climate?
Other communities across the country are picking up on the exemplar models of what is already happening in South Dakota. South Dakotans do a great job of engaging people in art—from voting for a favorite piece of art that becomes part of the public collection, as with SculptureWalk, to the number of active local arts councils that integrate the arts across their communities and ensure equity and inclusion regardless of ability, race, age. South Dakota’s arts community is a powerful advocacy force. They not only make their voices heard, but crank up the volume of non-arts professionals who also tout the importance of a vibrant arts community.
Any lasting impressions about the 2018 Arts Conference?
This was an inspiring visit for me. The excitement around the conference energized the South Dakota media and put the 2018 State Arts Conference on the national radar. I was impressed by the design work and the quality of the conference materials and the excitement and enthusiasm displayed by the staff of Arts South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council. All South Dakotans should be proud of these groups and what they do—the 2018 South Dakota Arts Conference was an excellent example of their hard work! I came home very proud and energized.
www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
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2018 State Arts Conference May 4-5
Clockwise from top: Randy Cohen addresses the pre-conference business luncheon; the Jim McKinney Quartet performed for the Friday evening keynote session; Arts South Dakota Executive Director Jim Speirs and Board Chair Brian Bonde welcomed participants on Saturday morning; a full house for the opening keynote dinner and reception with Randy Cohen; National Heritage Fellow Bryan Akipa performed on Saturday; Janet Brown gave the welcome keynote on Saturday morning.
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Left to right from top: National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu gave the Saturday luncheon keynote address; Dr. Craig Howe presented “Native Land/Native Presence” on Saturday morning; Hank Harris and the Hegg Brothers performed Saturday evening with sponsorship from the White Wall Sessions and Workplace I.T. Management; Artist Laureate Dale Lamphere discussed his recent projects including the Arc of Dreams; South Dakota Arts Council Executive Director Patrick Baker was one of many consulting specialists at the “Doctor Is In” sessions; Zach DeBoer shared his “Artists as Entrepreneurs” expertise; Rich Show with Violet was the concluding musical presentation for the conference, and Katrina Lehr-McKinney presented “Define, Articulate, Live, Share.”
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ARTS EDUCATION INSTITUTE Each year, Arts South Dakota, the South Dakota Arts Council and Northern State University sponsor the annual Arts Education Institute, providing quality professional development in the arts and arts in education. The Institute provides hands-on arts workshops for teachers, administrators and others, as well as instruction on how to incorporate art into the classroom. This year’s AEI is July 16-19, 2018 at Northern State University in Aberdeen. For this issue of Arts Alive, we asked Belle Fourche art teacher Jana Bastian to tell us about her experiences at AEI.
A teacher’s perspective on bringing AEI into the classroom By Jana Bastian
fter 18 years of substitute teaching, I became a certified art teacher four years ago. When I read a promotion about the Arts Education Institute at Northern State University, I jumped at the chance. Every July, I’ve attended. Learning new, unfamiliar techniques to teach my students is a key motivator; with the bonus of hanging out with other art teachers and earning two graduate credits in four days.
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Learn more about AEI 2018
The 19th annual Arts Education Institute (AEI) offers professional development in arts and learning for all South Dakota teachers and administrators Pre-K through 12th grade. AEI offers an educational and fun-filled week of learning to infuse the arts into classrooms and curriculum development. This year hands-on art, theater and music workshops offer many opportunities for all Pre-K through 12th grade educators July 16-19 at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. You DO NOT need to be an educator to attend AEI—we encourage everyone to attend. AEI is offered for up to two graduate, undergraduate, recertification (CEU) or career technical (CTE) credits. For complete workshop information, please visit https://artssouthdakota.org/arts-education-institute/. TO REGISTER, please click the green “Register” button in the upper right hand corner and complete your selections and payment. Class sizes are limited! We urge you to sign up early to get the workshops you prefer. Note: Payment for dorm housing and grad/undergrad credit will be due upon check-in and/or registration July 16. Cash or check are the only payment methods accepted by NSU.
And, boy, have I learned! The teachers are college professors, professionals and sometimes, fellow teachers. Stained glass techniques intimidated me until the 2017 AEI, when I learned the process. I taught stained glass this spring to my students. I’ve also learned new techniques in watercoloring, drawing, ceramics, pinhole cameras and lost wax casting. In each case, my students have benefited from my learning. For example, in the drawing class we were instructed to place large paper bags over our heads. We were then given small random objects, like plastic Snoopys or pirates, and told to feel them blindly for a minute or so. Then the objects were taken away, we took the bags off our heads and had to try to draw what we felt. It wasn’t easy. After that, the instructor gave us the object and our drawings improved, thanks to the power of observation. At the beginning of each semester I do this lesson plan, but I add the step of having students try first to draw the object blindly with their hands in the paper bag, after I’ve taken away the object. The activity boosts self-confidence in students who are convinced that they can’t draw. In the ceramics class, I learned underglaze techniques which are now incorporated into my ceramics classes. We worked with textures and a variety of techniques which I hadn’t tried, such as using newspaper strips over wet glaze followed by more glaze to create unusual patterns. The newspaper burns in the 1850-degree-Fahrenheit kiln, and the pattern is revealed. While we learn a lot, the classes are low-key and not stressful. I made new art educator friends and learned from them as well as from the instructor. The Arts Education Institute program is well-run and affordable. Participants can stay in the dorms on campus for a modest price. Attending these sessions has made me a more knowledgeable teacher. I look forward to attending this year’s Arts Education Institute July 16-19!
Questions? Email Shari Kosel at shari@ArtsSouthDakota.org.
AEI is sponsored by Arts South Dakota, the South Dakota Arts Council and Northern State University. South Dakota Arts Council support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota, through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
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“Wounded Knee III,” by Arthur Amiotte (Oglala Sioux Tribe), acrylic collage 36.5 x 48.75.
Traveling exhibit asks Takuwe —why? he Lakota Educational Art Exhibitions Project is now touring the Takuwe exhibition to museums across South Dakota. The idea for the exhibit is one Lakota word: Takuwe—in English, “Why?” The focus of the exhibition is the 1890 massacre of Lakotas at Wounded Knee, along with historical context leading to the massacre and contemporary context related to land issues and opportunities at Wounded Knee today. The exhibit, developed by the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS) and supported by a South Dakota Arts Council grant, begins with positives and ends with a call to action. Over 300 Lakotas are participating in the exhibit, including 30 visual artists who created original works for the core of
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the exhibit. Seven poets and 12 musicians are also included, along with an installation piece of 300 small artworks, each a five-inch square. The creators of these 300 artworks represent the 300 Lakotas massacred at Wounded Knee. Takuwe (pronounced DAW-ku-way) opened at The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School in March, is now on exhibit at the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center and moves to the South Dakota Art Museum in November. The catalog for this exhibition features the artworks and poems, with an included link to digital copies of audio recordings of the poets reading their work. The Takuwe catalogs are available for purchase by the general public at each host institution, or directly from CAIRNS at www.nativecairns.org.
www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
While the museum-based Takuwe exhibition is on display across South Dakota, CAIRNS is also developing a “communitybased” version, with high-quality photographs of the visual art professionally printed on display boards. Elements of the museum-based version, including the poem and song panels, will be included. Because this version will consist of reproductions of the original artworks, which can be quickly printed at a low cost if lost or damaged, the community-based exhibit will be able to tour statewide at venues that typically cannot host art exhibitions. CAIRNS has exhibited community-based versions of past exhibits at a variety of locations including a school gymnasium in Pine Ridge Reservation, a hotel conference room in Pierre, a convent meeting room in Aberdeen and a hospital atrium in Sioux Falls. This flexibility affords rural communities and nonmuseum goers the opportunity to engage with content typically only presented at urban museums. The benefit for the exhibitions’ artists is similarly significant; not only does this increase exposure to their art, it also enables many reservation-based artists to see their work exhibited within their home communities. The Lakota Educational Art Exhibitions Project is a continuation of the series of annual art exhibitions that CAIRNS has organized since 2015. These exhibitions advance knowledge of Lakota culture, art and artists throughout South Dakota’s urban and rural communities by focusing on a “A Time of Many Tears,” by Monty Fralick (Oglala Sioux Tribe), fabric 30.5 x 30.5.
specific Lakota narrative or historical event. The exhibitions provide exposure to emerging Lakota artists and help them connect with established artists. The exhibitions also demonstrate the breadth and diversity of Lakota arts today and provide opportunities for Lakotas to take on leadership roles in South Dakota, a state where such representation is extremely low, despite a significant American Indian population.
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Exhibitions such as Takuwe are only possible if artists are willing to share their talents and creative insights through their artworks,” said Dr. Craig Howe, Director of CAIRNS and curator of the exhibit. “Similarly, exhibitions such as this one can only be realized when museums are not only willing and able to host them, but proactively encourage and support their development. The Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies deeply appreciates our exhibition partners for their central roles in developing Takuwe and sharing it with their visitors.
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Dr. Craig Howe
To learn more about Takuwe and the community-based exhibit materials, or any of the other Lakota Educational Art Exhibitions Projects, visit www.nativecairns.org.
www.ArtsCouncil.sd.gov
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Enjoy summer roads with art in all directions By James D. Hagen, Secretary of Tourism
A state agency of the Department of Tourism
Dennis Daugaard, Governor James D. Hagen, Secretary
South Dakota Arts Council
Lynne Byrne, Sioux Falls, Chair Mary Bordeaux, Rapid City, Vice Chair Linda Anderson, Rapid City, Secretary Lynda Clark Adelstein, Rapid City, Treasurer Brian Bonde, Sioux Falls Laura Diddle, Brookings Mary Haug, Brookings Andrew Kightlinger, Pierre Jane Rasmussen, Sisseton James L. Walker, Bath
Staff
Patrick Baker, Director Rebecca Cruse, Deputy Director Kathryn Vandel, Arts Program Coordinator Paul Mehlhaff, Grants Officer Joshua Chrysler, Folk Arts Consultant 711 E. Wells Ave., Pierre, SD 57501-3369 In-State Toll Free: 1-800-952-3625 Email: sdac@state.sd.us Website: www.artscouncil.sd.gov Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SouthDakotaArts
South Dakota Arts Council receives support from the State of South Dakota, through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
South Dakota visitor numbers keep increasing each year, and the incredible range of cultural and artistic events held every summer throughout our state are part of that tourism growth. While many people plan their trips to South Dakota around a visit to Mount Rushmore, every traveler discovers a state where the arts are a vital part of who we are as a people. Artistic expressions of our varied cultures make South Dakota the special place we call home. This summer, I encourage South Dakotans to share in the cultural bounty that keeps visitors flooding into our state. There’s just so much to do in South Dakota! Nearly every summer weekend features an arts festival somewhere in our state, from Aberdeen to Edgemont and from Roslyn to Rapid City. And the best thing of all about our festivals is the people. Thousands of volunteers, all across South Dakota, make community festivals and weekend celebrations possible as they share their love of hometown and their enthusiasm for throwing a great community get-together with their neighbors and their guests. Summer is also a wonderful opportunity for you to visit those new attractions that your family may not have taken in yet. Experience the monumental sculpture Dignity on its bluff above the Missouri at Chamberlain on your next road trip. Check out the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings and celebrate 50 years of the arts with the Dahl in Rapid City. From the Black Hills Bluegrass Festival to the Sioux River Folk Festival, summer is a foot-tapping, tuneful season throughout our state. You’ll find easy directions to those attractions and dozens more at TravelSouthDakota.com. If arts festivals and the kaleidoscopic whirl of food, music and art in the park are your style, we’ve got you covered from border to border. From the Northern Hills at Spearfish to the Missouri riverside at Yankton, tens of thousands of arts lovers flock to our festivals and powwows throughout the summer. Join them—you’ll see neighbors and make new friends in a relaxed, uniquely South Dakota setting. Cultural tourism is a vital part of our economy, creating jobs, prosperity and lifelong learning in a way that is fun and family-friendly. We work hard to invite people from our neighboring states to enjoy summer cultural opportunities in South Dakota. We invite you to join them and discover for yourself why I am so proud of our state and its cultural community.
“Dignity,” by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Lamphere, near the Missouri River at Chamberlain.
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Cultural diversity celebrated in SDAC apprenticeship program
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By Josh Chrysler, South Dakota Folk Arts Consultant
The yearly cycle of our Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program is coming to a close for fiscal year 2018, with apprenticeships focused on four different South Dakota traditional art forms, representative of the diversity of creative folk culture across the state. This year, we have master artists teaching Lakota beadworking in Rapid City, Finnish rya knot weaving in Frederick, Lakota hoop dancing in Kyle and Missouri Valley style fiddling in Canton. The master artists will continue working with their apprentices, passing along their traditional art forms, through the end of June. In Rapid City, Lakota artist Molina Parker has been teaching Wade Patton beadworking. Wade has proven to be a fast study and is now incorporating beadwork into his artwork. Molina started beading at a young age, learning in a traditional manner from her mother. Molina and Wade both continue to find the balance in their beadwork between honoring tradition and finding ways to evolve, change and grow the tradition. In Brown County outside Frederick, weaver Annikki Annikki Marttila instructs Lyla Agius in the traditional art of Finnish rya knot weaving. Marttila is teaching Finnish rya knot weaving to Lyla Agius of Ipswich. Lyla is already an accomplished learning and teaching traditional weaver, but wanted to learn this music through SDAC’s Traditional specific style, rya knot weaving, Arts Apprenticeship Program. from Annikki. Lyla is hoping to earn Finally, we have a new set of a Certificate of Excellence from the apprenticeships about to be Handweavers Guild of America, and announced. The artists will begin rya knot weaving is one of the final working together starting in July. techniques she needs to master for Stay tuned for more information the certification. about the incredible traditional arts In Kyle, Dallas Chief Eagle has that thrive in South Dakota! An example of Wade Patton’s beadwork, learned from Molina been teaching hoop dancing to his Parker during his apprenticeship. daughter, Delacina Chief Eagle. Dallas has passed this traditional dance form on to three of his daughters now through our apprenticeship program, ensuring this tradition has a vibrant present and future in South Dakota. Both Dallas and Delacina view hoop dancing as being so much more than an art form— for them it is a way of life. Bill Peterson and his apprentices Rynn Lamb, Josh Scott and Carol Skallerud play traditional music regularly at The Wheel, a local watering hole in Canton. Bill has been passing along the unique regional Missouri Valley fiddling style that he previously learned through an SDAC apprenticeship with Dwight Lamb, National Heritage Fellow in Iowa. In addition, Bill Peterson and Dwight Lamb recently traveled to Wisconsin, where they participated in a symposium organized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Sustaining Scandinavian Folk Music in the Upper Midwest. Bill Peterson performing with Dwight Lamb in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Sustaining Scandinavian They performed and discussed their experiences Folk Music in the Upper Midwest symposium.
www.ArtsCouncil.sd.gov
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Exploring new visions in film a conversation with Cable Hardin, SDAC Artist Fellow
ach year the South Dakota Arts Council selects a group of South Dakota artists to receive the Artist Fellowship grant rewarding individual artistic excellence. The $5,000 Fellowships, awarded through a competitive grant process, reflect the variety and quality of art being produced in South Dakota. As an artist with a formal background in live-action film production, Cable Hardin creates content while experimenting with existing aesthetics, and often manipulates viewer expectations through exploitation of genre or parody. Humor, playfulness, moments of frenetic energy and the unexpected are major common elements in his work. Hardin teaches animation and film studies at South Dakota State University in Brookings, where he also organizes film and animation exhibitions like the SoDak Animation Festival.
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Arts Alive: How has filmmaking shaped you as an artist? Cable Hardin: Making movies has always been the constant
major activity for me since I was about 10 and my older brother and I got our hands on a Super 8 camera. Like many film folks in my demographic, I’ve been strongly influenced by the mainstream blockbusters of the 1970s and 80s. As a young kid I loved seeing those behind-the-scenes television documentaries on the original Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies and was captivated by getting a glimpse of that process and the people. Ever since then, in some form, I’m acknowledging those mainstream influences in some way, either a direct nod to something or striving to go the opposite direction.
What brought you to animation as a focus for your films? Getting into animation as a form of filmmaking really is freeing, especially since the initial investment in tools is reasonable compared to the costs of even a decent lower-end camera, lighting, sound gear, talent and all the myriad of details to Page 12
Photo by Kate Heiberger.
consider even for a small indie film. For a filmmaker who usually works independently, animation’s the way to go. Making movies professionally and for exhibition, and also for teaching purposes has been a fascinating way of life, especially in South Dakota where animators and filmmakers are relatively few and far between. Having the support of the South Dakota Arts Council, South Dakota State University and the Brookings community has been a wonderful thing.
Do you find that the geography or people of South Dakota influence your work?
Geography and place are very significant to me. Having spent most of my life in mid-Atlantic states, South Dakota couldn’t be more different to me than those previous experiences in almost every way: the landscape, weather, culture, demographics, dialect and food. Having this perspective and remembering the contrasts keeps me inspired to notice the differences and allow them to inspire my work. The blizzard-like weather in White Out and hints about the prairie wind in Beebox, not to mention the film’s agricultural theme, are taken straight from my immediate surroundings. Maybe in other places, it’s dull to talk about the weather, but in South Dakota, it’s so significant in daily life, especially in the winter months, you really can’t not talk about it!
What will this Fellowship allow you to explore as an artist?
Activities supported by the Fellowship range from aiding in the production of the short experimental film Beebox, upgrading my studio, attending film and animation festivals where my work is being exhibited and residency experiences that allow me to explore and freely experiment with no set expectations. It’s a very ambitious list, and it’s an important opportunity that I see as a serious investment. This Fellowship is about making quality work and having quality experiences that will prove insightful and rewarding for years to come.
www.ArtsCouncil.sd.gov
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Once again, a South Dakota Poetry Out Loud state champion has won a category of the national competition. Gage Gramlick, a junior at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, was recently awarded first place for his original poem in the spoken word category of the Poetry Ourselves competition, the original poetry component of the Poetry Out Loud national finals, in Washington, DC. Gramlick won this year’s South Dakota state championship reading the poems “The Mortician in San Francisco” by Randall Mann, “A Poem In Which I Try To Express My Glee At The Music My Friend Has Given Me” by Ross Gay, and “Life In A Love” by Robert Browning. A joyful, interesting and a very talented person who doesn’t only write poetry, Gage is also editor-in-chief of The Statesman, Lincoln High School’s student newspaper and is involved in many other activities in and out of school. Lincoln High is no stranger to this contest as the state champion for the past two years, Maddie Lukomski, finished in the top nine at nationals last year and also took top honors in the spoken word original poetry category in 2016. While both Gage and Maddie are very talented people, they also get a lot of support, motivation, inspiration and coaching from their teacher, Amanda Nelson. The preparation and exuberance both of these students bring to this event is a testament to the passion and talent of Nelson. Poetry Out Loud is a national high school poetry recitation program. It starts in the classroom and leads to a statewide and national competition. Students memorize and recite three different poems to judges. Poetry Out Loud also encourages national qualifiers to enter their original poetry to be adjudicated in two different categories, written and spoken word.
State Poetry Out Loud winner is national spoken word champ By DJ Steckelberg, Poetry Out Loud State Coordinator
Gage Gramlick receives the award for his original spoken word poem from Mary Anne Carter, Senior Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Below, Gramlick performing at the National Poetry Out Loud competition. Both photos by James Kegley.
www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
The national event is more than just a competition, it is a place for young artists from every state and three territories to meet and form bonds and friendships. They spend a lot of time together over three days sharing experiences and learning from each other. Many even meet with their state’s Congressional delegation. As the last night is winding down, all of the students are together in a conference room singing, laughing and being silly high school students. At the end of the night, there are hugs and tears and everyone knows they have like-minded friends all over this country. Gramlick is a national champion, but his real reward was this incredible experience. To learn more about the program, go to the Poetry Out Loud website, with full details, teacher guides and more at www.poetryoutloud.org.
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Hitting the high notes
Arts South Dakota, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, enriches the lives of South Dakotans and their visitors, by advancing the arts through service, education and advocacy.
Board of Directors
Brian Bonde, Sioux Falls, Chair Dale Lamphere, Sturgis, Vice Chair Brian Hildebrant, Brookings, Treasurer Janet Brown, Sioux Falls, Secretary Stacy Braun, Aberdeen Richard “Dick” Brown, Custer Senator Troy Heinert, Mission Dr. Craig Howe, Martin Katie Hunhoff, Yankton Ellen Lee, Pierre Katrina Lehr-McKinney, Sioux Falls
Staff
Jim Speirs, Executive Director jim@ArtsSouthDakota.org 605-252-5979, Ext. 0
Shari Kosel, Program & Communications Director shari@ArtsSouthDakota.org 605-252-5979, Ext. 1 Andrew Reinartz, Community Development Director andrew@ArtsSouthDakota.org 605-252-5979, Ext. 2
PO Box 2496, Sioux Falls, SD 57101-2496 Phone: 605-252-5979 Email: info@ArtsSouthDakota.org Website: www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
Arts Conference inspires gratitude By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota As I think about the recent State Arts Conference, the first word that resonates with me is “thankful.” What a gathering! To all those who were in Sioux Falls for the weekend, to all those who contributed ideas, to all those who supported and encouraged the conference, thank you. It was a rewarding couple of days, and even if you could not be with us, you—and your community—were still a big part of our conversation and vision for the future. As I reflect on our time together, I’m struck by a few outstanding moments. I am especially grateful that Bryan Akipa's music reminds us that art has been part of this land for thousands of years. There is a sustained tradition of creativity flowing through South Dakota—and Bryan invited us to celebrate that through his performance. The conference also provided a powerful advocacy platform for widespread arts awareness. In partnership with Sioux Falls SculptureWalk and Downtown Sioux Falls, we were able to spotlight the importance of the arts to the community and its economy throughout the entire conference week. Arts-focused stories appeared on all major broadcast networks, in area newspapers and across the state on South Dakota Public Broadcasting—and lit up social media. I’m especially thankful for the depth of expertise shared by those who presented seminars and workshops and keynoted our conference. Their dynamic presentations inspire us to do better work and encourage us to think bigger about the role of the arts in our communities. In the coming weeks, we hope to post video and audio from some of the sessions. We can now take time to reflect on what we experienced and how that will motivate us in our work. Finally, my thanks to all of you who came together for the conference. Your work inspires and sustains our vital arts ecosystem in South Dakota. To be with you and share time together was a joy for all of us at Arts South Dakota.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ArtsSD and YouTube.
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www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
Reinartz joins Arts South Dakota staff
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usician, educator and arts professional Andrew Reinartz has joined the staff of Arts South Dakota as Community Development Director. An enthusiastic advocate for the arts in South Dakota, Reinartz is familiar to audiences and classrooms throughout the state, primarily playing upright and electric bass. Although his focus is on jazz and improvised music, Reinartz is a popular session musician playing a variety of other styles, and also does work as a producer and recording/mixing engineer. Reinartz plays with JAS Quintet, Jazz Curators, Dakota Jazz Collective, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Hegg Brothers Band and Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers. He has also recorded and performs regularly with Jami Lynn and Darin Kaihoi. As an educator and advocate for the music he loves, Reinartz teaches privately, works as a guest clinician and plays for students across South Dakota with the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Diversity Project. He also performs for adults in the Jazz Curators performance and education series. A past member of the South Dakota Symphony Board of Directors, Reinartz was co-founder of the Dakota Sky International Piano Festival.
Remembering Graham Thatcher
Graham Thatcher has taken his final bow. The stalwart supporter of community theater in the Black Hills died May 31. Thatcher, who got his first acting role at age 5, had enjoyed on- and off-stage leading roles in Black Hills area live theater for more than half a century. Graham spent 14 summers as a member of the Black Hills Playhouse company. When he wasn’t onstage, he and his wife, Anna Marie, were often in the audience cheering on other performers. Thatcher also formerly served as the artistic director for Group Theater, which in 1992 became Black Hills Community Theater, and he was active in the South Dakota Arts Council. The longtime Piedmont resident received the Rushmore Honors Award from the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce in 2007 and a Governor’s Award in the Arts in 2017. Thatcher leaves behind a legacy of more than 200 community theater productions in which he acted or directed.
Governor’s Awards in the Arts Nominations opening soon, awards banquet date set The next Governor’s Awards in the Arts will be presented February 12, 2019. Sponsored biennially by Arts South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council, the awards recognize South Dakota’s finest artists and supporters of the arts. Categories are Distinction in Creative Achievement, Outstanding Support of the Arts by an Individual, Outstanding Support of the Arts by a Business or Organization, and Outstanding Leadership in Arts Education. This year will see the addition of a new Governor’s Award to be conferred—watch for upcoming details at ArtsSouthDakota.org.
Recipients will be honored at the Governor’s Awards banquet attended by artists, arts patrons and government officials on the evening of February 12, 2019. Nominations for the 2019 Governor’s Awards open September 1, 2018 with a final deadline of November 15. More information and nomination forms will be available online at ArtsSouthDakota.org.
www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
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Red Cloud Indian Art Show: celebrating a half-century 2018 exhibition runs through August 12
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When Jesuit Father Ted Zuern became president of Red Cloud Indian School in 1968, he quickly recognized the need to integrate Lakota culture, language and art into campus life. He collaborated with Robert Savage to organize the inaugural Red Cloud Indian Art Show with a modest exhibition that broke new ground by allowing any American Indian 14 years and older to enter the show. Young artists were encouraged to share their artistic vision with seasoned, professional artists—and a new tradition was born. Under the nurturing care of Brother C.M. Simon, originally the campus bookkeeper, the Red Cloud Indian Art Show became a national phenomenon. The late Brother Simon. Over the last five decades, the Red Cloud Photo by Fr. Don Doll, S.J., show—on exhibit through August 12 this year— courtesy of Red Cloud Indian School. has celebrated the continuum of Native art and honored the artists who create it. Held in the Pine modern artwork. Since its formal opening in 1982, The Heritage Ridge Reservation in western South Dakota, the Red Cloud Center has continued to expand this unique and diverse Indian Art Show is the largest and longest-running Native art collection of Native art, a source for groundbreaking exhibitions exhibition of its kind—and one of only a few held in an and educational arts programming. indigenous community. Hundreds of artists from tribal nations To mark the show’s 50th across North America have shared anniversary in 2018, a special their work through the Red Cloud opening event was held on June 2, show, in categories ranging from with participating artists on site to painting and photography to discuss their work. This year’s show beadwork and quillwork. runs through August 12, Monday With the goal of keeping through Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm Native art in Indian Country, rather and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. The than in museums far from the gallery is open seven days a week reservation, Red Cloud Indian throughout the summer. All visitors School staff purchased three are free to visit the gallery and gift award-winning pieces from the shop during The Heritage Center’s 1969 Red Cloud Indian Art Show. regular hours. Tours of Red Cloud’s Each subsequent year, they historic campus are also available. continued to purchase new pieces, For a preview of this year’s and ultimately amassed a diverse exhibition and to view examples and important collection of works from historic shows, visit by local and national Native artists. redcloudart.show/. The Heritage Center was formed to protect and grow that collection. What began with those three early pieces now includes an estimated 10,000 pieces of Lakota Artwork for this year’s poster is “Shoshone and other Native art, from priceless Madonna II,” by Daniel McCoy, Jr. (Muscogee Creek). historical artifacts to cutting-edge
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www.ArtsCouncil.sd.gov
RCAC Permanent Collection:
In celebration of four decades of acquiring and preserving regional artwork, the Rapid City Arts Council is offering visitors the opportunity to see almost half of the organization’s permanent collection displayed publicly for the first time. RCAC’s 40th Anniversary Permanent Collection Exhibition is on display in the Sen. Stan Adelstein & Lynda K. Clark Gallery of the Dahl Arts Center through July 21. Over 90 pieces will be on display for this major exhibition, with more than 60 of these artworks acquired during the past six years. Some of these recently acquired works have never been shown in the RCAC’s galleries at the Dahl Arts Center. Intended as a legacy for future generations, the Rapid City Arts Council strives to grow and maintain a permanent collection with a primary focus on creations by artists who have lived and worked in the region. With a mission to preserve the work of local artists, a wide variety of art has been collected and is on exhibit at the 40th anniversary show. The Dahl Arts Center galleries are open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free; however, for those with the ability to pay, donations are encouraged and appreciated. For more information about upcoming exhibits, visit thedahl.org.
40 th anniversary show displays largest selection ever
JazzFest 2018
Photo by Bill Tetrault.
Two days of summer sun, fun and great music
“Selfie” by Dwayne Wilcox, 2016.
he Sioux Falls annual jazz and blues festival, JazzFest, has become one of the summer’s main events for the entire region. JazzFest is a two-day outdoor musical event, scheduled this year for Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21. The festival features music all day and into the night on two stages and is FREE to the public. In addition to great jazz and blues, JazzFest means food and art vendors, beer and wine gardens, arts and crafts, fireworks and activities for the kids. The headliner for Friday night is Grammy Award winner for Contemporary Blues Jimmie Vaughan. An American blues rock guitarist and singer, he is also globally known as the older brother of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. A founding member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie is a leading Austin, Texas guitarist, responsible for opening the national market to gritty roadhouse blues and R&B. On Saturday night, the JazzFest showcase act is Taj Mahal, a Grammy Award-winning blues/world music vocalist and instrumentalist known for his trailblazing explorations of different genres. A statuesque, emotional presence onstage, Mahal has become known for exploring a wide range of genres and earned a reputation as a musicologist who pays attention to the cultural origins of song. For a complete schedule of JazzFest acts and activities, visit sfjb.org or SiouxFallsJazzFest.com.
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A General Beadle School Discovery Program musical story time with the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills.
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Chamber Music Festival receives NEA grant
ational Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has According to executive director Michael Hill, the coming approved more than $80 million in grants as part of the summer will feature the musical adoption of the General NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal Beadle School Discovery Program, expanded Sensory Disability year 2018, including an Art Works grant of $15,000 programs in addition to over 35 free educational programs to the Chamber Music Festival of the throughout the Black Hills. Black Hills for their 11th season. “Arts education is a large part of our Art Works is the NEA’s largest funding mission,” Hill said. “I see the benefits of category and supports projects that focus music education daily. Students who on the creation of art that meets the participate in arts education programs highest standards of excellence, public thrive academically and later, financially. engagement with diverse and excellent art, There is a reason why these children are lifelong learning in the arts, and/or the considered the economic driving force of strengthening of communities through the future. They think faster, comprehend the arts. better and excel with focused life skills.” The Chamber Music Festival of the The Chamber Music Festival brings Black Hills provides free educational professional musicians from top orchestras programs throughout the region. According and conservatories, including the Atlanta —Michael Hill to artistic/education director Dawn Marie Symphony, Boston Symphony, Indianapolis, Edwards, the national recognition for the St. Paul Chamber, Minnesota Orchestra, group’s educational and classical concert Ulster Orchestra in Belfast Ireland, Utah programming places them among the top Symphony, Curtis Institute of Music and the arts organizations in the country. University of California. These musicians, “Only through a collaborative effort who are tops in their field, implement the with our many partners can we expand our educational programs and perform in the impact in the community,” Edwards said. Classical Concert Series. “Each concert and educational program is Concert schedules and more developed and designed with the commuinformation about the Chamber Music nity in mind. We’re excited to share our Festival of the Black Hills may be found at plans for this summer. Our first program www.cmfbh.org. begins on June 24 and runs through July 20.”
“Students who participate in arts education programs thrive academically and later, financially. There is a reason why these children are considered the economic driving force of the future.” P
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summer artscopes
Native tales given Baroque visualization
Ojibwe artist Rabbett Strickland creates vivid, richly colored allegorical paintings depicting Ojibwe mythology. His paintings share traditional wisdom and challenge injustices, but his style evokes the aesthetics of Baroque and Romantic traditions. His vision is on display at the South Dakota Art Museum through August 19 in Rabbett Before Horses Strickland: Image Maker. Traditional European techniques together with a masterfully drawn subject matter deeply rooted in Anishinabe culture places this artist’s work in a class of its own. Visitors will find free parking in the new SDAM reserved lot, just west of the museum on Harvey Dunn Street. For maps, schedules and other exhibit information, go to sdstate.edu/south-dakota-art-museum.
2018 RedCan artists announced
“Creation of the First Butterflies,” by Rabbett Before Horses Strickland, Collection of Esther Humphrey.
Seven popular guest artists will be returning to Eagle Butte this summer for the award-winning RedCan invitational graffiti jam, with additional artists to be added. Appearing this year will be East from Denver, CO; Scribe from Kansas City, MO; Biafra, Wundr and Cyfi from the Twin Cities, MN; Siamese from Rapid City, and Dwayno Insano from Salt River, AZ. The fourth annual RedCan event is scheduled for June 28-30 at Eagle Butte. To help support this groundbreaking event, the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) has received a highly competitive $10,000 Bush Foundation Event Sponsorship. The foundation dedicates these funds to select events that inspire, equip and connect people to think differently about what’s possible in their communities. To stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook (/LakotaYouth), Twitter (@LakotaYouth) and Instagram (@waniyetuwowapi), or go to lakotayouth.org/programs/waniyetu-wowapi-lai/redcan-graffiti-jam.
Take in a play this summer!
Summer theater at the Northern Fort Playhouse in Sisseton is a unique take on repertory shows. Besides camping spaces nearby at Fort Sisseton State Park, the season offers two shows on back-to-back nights over three summer weekends, including a Sunday matinee. The weekends are July 13, July 20 and July 27, and the shows are the musical Fly By Night, a romance set during the great northeast blackout of 1965, and It’s Only A Play, a spoof on what it takes to make a show a hit. For the complete schedule, show times, ticket information and more, visit www.northernfortplayhouse.com. For more summer theater selections and information, check out www.blackhillsplayhouse.com for shows in beautiful Custer State Park or www.prairierep.org for summer plays in Brookings and Brandon.
Plan ahead for the Celtic Faire heritage celebration in Aberdeen
The Northeast South Dakota Celtic Faire and Games is a family-friendly festival based in Aberdeen the third weekend in September. Held in the Centennial Village at the Brown County Fairgrounds, this year’s event is scheduled for September 14 and 15. This annual celebration provides an exciting opportunity for all individuals who have an interest in Celtic heritage, history, arts, sports, dance, music, food, merchandise, livestock and dog breeds to join the fun in Aberdeen. For details and individual event schedules, go to www.nesdcelticfaire.com.
Visual Arts Center show is a study in contrast
“Duplicitous Diffusion”
In Duplicitous Diffusion, a new exhibition in the Everist Gallery at the Washington Pavilion’s Visual Arts Center in downtown Sioux Falls, Liz Miller dramatizes the contrast between form and function. Installation artist Miller transforms the Visual Arts Center’s largest gallery into a landscape of draping textiles, creating elaborate, abstract fictions that incorporate fragments of reality. The elegant, lacy silhouettes of imagery from sources such as firearms, killer bees, and deadly plants are spliced with imagined forms to create sculptural interludes that are absurd, menacing and poetic. Check out all the summer activities and exhibits at the Visual Arts Center and throughout the Washington Pavilion at www.washingtonpavilion.org.
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Arts South Dakota
PO Box 2496 Sioux Falls, SD 57101-2496
Arts South Dakota is a grassroots, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to enrich the lives of all South Dakotans by advancing the arts through service, education and advocacy.
Arts South Dakota works to bring vitality to South Dakota communities and enhance lives by promoting the creativity and visitor industries, nurturing cultural leadership and education, and recognizing artistic excellence. Join us in our efforts to keep the arts strong and vibrant today and tomorrow. Your donation to Arts South Dakota will enable us to continue our work for the arts— and will keep Arts Alive coming directly to your mailbox. Please join Arts South Dakota today.
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