Phyllis W. Packard is a painter, weaver, and artist whose career spans sixty years. My Missouri River Valley is an exhibition of her more recent tapestries, needle felt paintings, and watercolor weavings. Packard’s works are based on the land, water, and sky of the prairie and South Dakota, particularly the idyllic view of the Missouri River valley she has out her home workshop windows.

Her watercolor weaving landscapes are designed and woven on a loom with fine cotton, silk, and linen fibers, utilizing historic coverlet patterns. The pieces are stained with watercolor wash to gain an atmospheric emphasis or simply to highlight elements. Packard’s needle felt pieces are wool fleece from South Dakota and Nebraska sheep. Likewise, her tapestries are often woven with natural dyed hand spun wool and silk.

Over the years, Packard has been on faculty with University of South Dakota, Yankton College, and Worthington Community College in Minnesota. She also spent many years as part of the original South Dakota Arts Council program Artist in the Schools “traveling company,” working in schools and communities throughout the state, including all SD reservations.

Vermillion was recently voted “best small town art scene” in America in a USA Today readers’ choice poll, and that’s in no small part thanks to Packard’s legacy. She was a founding member of the Vermillion Area Arts Council (VAAC), one of the first arts councils in South Dakota. Many of today’s successful arts nonprofits in town started as VAAC programs, including Vermillion Community Theatre and Vermillion Area Dance Organization.

You’re invited to join the artist for her reception, Saturday, March 15, from 3pm to 6pm.

My Missouri River Valley will be on display in the Coyote Gallery at 12 E. Main, Vermillion, until April 27. The gallery is open Thursdays–Sundays, during the attached Coyote Twin Theater’s business hours.