By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota
The South Dakota creative talent pool is deep and wide—and every artist in our state deserves recognition for the work each does in expanding the cultural boundaries of South Dakota. Occasionally an opportunity arises to shine a spotlight on a few representative artists, illustrating the quality of South Dakota art and giving us all a chance to appreciate the creative community that is our home.
A double opportunity is offered on February 17 with the broadcast of two 30-minute television programs that showcase a variety of South Dakota artists through the lens of another artist’s vision. On February 17, South Dakota Public Broadcasting will air Panorama of South Dakota, a collection of videos featuring the art and artists of our state. Commissioned by Arts South Dakota, the videos that comprise Panorama of South Dakota were shot by local filmmaker Dalton Coffey, and feature creative work unique to South Dakota. Spotlighted are hoop dancer Starr Chief Eagle, traditional flutist Bryan Akipa and the grain elevator murals in Faulkton.
The same evening, SD Public Broadcasting brings Lamphere Studios to the screen. While sculptor Dale Lamphere is practically a household name from his iconic Dignity on a hilltop near Chamberlain, Arc of Dreams spanning the river in downtown Sioux Falls, and statues representing the virtues of the people in the rotunda of the State Capitol, he is also a promoter of other artists’ work. Nothing illustrates his commitment to advancing other artists like Community Tapestry, a unique sculpture that frames and spotlights the creations of 20 artists in the main entrance of Monument Health headquarters in Rapid City. The 30-minute program being broadcast February 17 will focus on Community Tapestry and other recent works by Lamphere.
The artist spotlight broadcasts begin at 8 pm Central, 7 pm Mountain, on February 17 with Lamphere Studios and continue with Panorama of South Dakota at 8:30 pm. This is a fantastic chance to sample great videography and meet some of the artists who are defining South Dakota’s cultural landscape.
For more details on the programs and the Dalton Coffey videos, visit ArtsSouthDakota.org.
