- Anna Marie Thatcher – Periaktos Productions
- Marty Two Bulls, Jr. – Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe Artist Laureate
- Dale Lamphere – South Dakota Artist Laureate
DESCRIPTION
The recently released documentary project “The Power of Possibility” looks at the impacts of public art in South Dakota communities. Produced by Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD and co-produced and directed by DWU alum and Rapid City resident, Anna Marie Thatcher, production of the film was inspired by “Power of Possibility,” the outdoor sculpture installed on the DWU campus in the fall of 2022.Join Producer Anna Marie Thatcher, along with Marty Two Bulls, Jr. (Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe Artist Laureate) and Dale Lamphere (South Dakota Artist Laureate), for a conversation about the project and the community building process of public art projects.
DOCUMENTARY OVERVIEW
The one-hour documentary includes a visual tour of public art in towns across the state, along with interviews with local leaders in the arts, to explore the effects of public art in their communities. Anna Marie Thatcher initiated the project and served and a the producer and director of the recently completed POWER OF POSSIBILITY: The Impact of Public Art in South Dakota Communities for Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) in Mitchell, SD. Inspired by “Power of Possibility,” the outdoor sculpture installed on the DWU campus in Mitchell in 2022, the documentary features comments by artist Joan Benefiel, Dale Lamphere (South Dakota Artist Laureate), John Lopez (Sculptor), James Van Nuys (Sculptor), and Marty Two Bulls, Jr. (Oglala Lakota Artist Laureate), about how public art projects are initiated and completed. The one hour documentary includes interviews and a “tour ” of public art in the towns of the state to explore the effects of public art in their communities. Premieres and audience discussions were held at DWU on June 25, 2024, in the South Dakota Broadcasting Studio (SDPB) in Rapid City on July 10 and at The Journey Museum in Rapid City on September 18. SDPB aired the film on October 3, 6, and 7, 2024. The documentary, along with “A Study Guide on Public Art,” will be available to schools, colleges, and local community organizations for use in their arts programming. The project was made possible by grants from the South Dakota Humanities Council (an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities) and the South Dakota Community Foundation, with support from Dakota Wesleyan University, and Drs. Lesta and Mike Turchen.
