SHORT FILM FOLLOWING THE JOURNEY OF FOUR BIPOC ARTISTS AND CREATIVES

Sioux Falls’ multi-cultural artist community is expanding constantly as celebrated in a video produced by the Sioux Falls Arts Council. Elevate is a short film featuring BIPOC creatives in the area.

BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Color. Elevate asks if BIPOC artists are getting equal recognition in the Sioux Falls community. Four artists are showcased, discussing their work and what it means to be an artist.

Kyrie Dunkley is a Dakota model and fashion designer who feels knowing the artist when purchasing artwork is important. She is hoping for a BIPOC art space to be created in Sioux Falls to further encourage local artists and makers.

“The goal for this project was to help increase BIPOC visibility and my hope was to create a better understanding of what that means to me as an Indigenous female artist,” Dunkley said. “Having that inclusivity made me feel like my voice matters and that my time was valuable. Being able to showcase how my line of work helps not just my family but my friends and community was the most important aspect because having those collaborations with fellow BIPOC artists is how we can all succeed and lift each other up.”

Hispanic ceramics artist Sonja Hernandez suggests that everyone is an artist of some sort and just needs inspiration to reach great heights.

Moses Idris, a photographer, videographer and podcast host, said he loves the opportunity to share stories of opportunity with other artists.

Finding the right community is important to filmmaker, musician and content creator Taylor Yocum. “Believe in others that believe in you,” he said in the film.

Grants from Arts Midwest, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and Arts South Dakota Artist Emergency Relief Fund made the film possible in conjunction with Racing Magpie and the Sioux Falls Arts Council. View the film at Artssiouxfalls.org/programs/elevate-bipoc-artists.