Focus, Hunkpapa Lakota artist, at RedCan Graffiti Jam 2019. Photo courtesy of Cheyenne River Youth Project. RedCan 2021 will be held July 6-11.
The plan’s purpose is to support the development of a sustainable Native American tourism industry that will inspire more people to visit, stay over and spend more money in Tribal Nations. The plan provides Tribal Nations the opportunity to prepare for the future so that tourism—along with other development approaches—can eventually support the economic and social well being of Native American communities in South Dakota and articulates ways in which tourism can drive economic recovery and development. “SDNTA has demonstrated so much resilience this past year and is already implementing three quick-win projects outlined in the strategic plan,” said Seleni Matus, Executive Director of the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies. “Even though most Tribal Nations are closed to outsiders for now, the virus won’t last forever. As the world slowly starts to recover from this pandemic, people heal and economies reawaken, visitors will begin to explore new places, revisit those they know well and seek inspiration in new connections—with people, nature and culture.” To learn more, visit sdvisit.com/native-tourism.
Miss Art World South Dakota crowned
During Women’s History Month in March, Vermillion artist Klaire A. Lockheart was crowned Miss Art World South Dakota, a title bestowed upon her by the original Miss Art World, Katherine J. Cooksey. The coronation was held in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre at the University of South Dakota—a bonus for Lockheart, who was honored to receive her Miss Art World title on the campus where she earned her MFA in painting. Lockheart is well known for creating representational oil on canvas portraits that address gender identity and feminism while incorporating her sense of humor. Her newest paintings are currently on display at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, and she also creates fiber art to address the concepts of women’s art and women’s work. For the coronation, Lockheart created her gown with gold fabric she printed by hand. To make the original printed pattern, she made props and costumes for plastic dinosaur toys so they appear to fulfill the traditional roles of artists and models. She used the silkscreen process to transfer her design to the fabric which features a raptor photographer and a spinosaurus painter. Lockheart uses dinosaurs in her artwork as an analogy for the perseverance of women because, she said, “Women have been fighting for Miss Art World South Dakota Klaire Lockheart by equal rights since the dawn of time.” Aaron Packard. The Miss Art World title originated from Katherine Cooksey, a conceptual artist from the Los Angeles area. Cooksey specializes in performance art, and is the host of the Miss Art World Podcast. “Miss Art World is a lifelong performance piece which is voiced through a variety of artistic mediums.” Cooksey said. “I use this title to question the dominating ideologies of beauty fused with the disturbing and obsessive struggle to obtain it.” While Lockheart and Cooksey create very different and distinct artwork, they’re both Dress contemporary artists who work diligently to celebrate women and uplift other artists. To see detail by Klaire Lockheart. Cooksey’s artwork, visit missartworld.com and to view Lockheart’s, visit klairelockheart.com.
www.ArtsSouthDakota.org
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