Arts South Dakota

40th Annual Stilwell Student Awards Exhibition
2026-01-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-02 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-04 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) and 11 more dates | John A Day Gallery, East Clark Street, Vermillion, South Dakota, 57069, United States
The Stilwell Student Awards Exhibition is an annual exhibit in the John A. Day Gallery at the University of South Dakota, recognizing the talent and creative work from MFA and BFA students in the Department of Art. The exhibit is named in honor of Former Chair and Professor of Art Wilber Stilwell, his wife, Gladys Stilwell, and the Stilwell family, who continue to provide support for the exhibition.

Mixology 101
2026-02-07 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Danger Von Dempsey’s at ATY, East Airport Drive, Watertown, SD, 57201, United States
It’s BAAACK! One of our most popular classes is back – it’s Mixology 101 with Patrick ‘ The Jigger Engineer’
Classic cocktails! Perfect pours! You’ll hear about the history of classic cocktails from the Age of Cocktail Parties & beautiful barware. Then get behind the bar to craft your own cocktail! Hands-on, high-spirited, & serious cocktail cred!

February's Paint-in: Stretching Watercolor Paper
2026-02-17 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Ronning Library, 3100 E 49th St, Sioux Falls
Ever wondered how to stretch watercolor paper? Stretching watercolor paper prevents buckling by pre-swelling and shrinking it on a rigid board using water and tape/staples, making it taut and flat for painting. GPWS Member Nancy Warner will demonstrate just how to do this!
No pre-registration required. Open to the public. Hosted by the Great Plains Watercolor Society.

Wild About Science: Mammals
2026-02-21 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Washinton Pavilion, 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, S, 57104, United States
This winter, let curiosity run wild! In collaboration with the Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium, our Wild About Science series brings live animals and family fun together one Saturday a month from November through March.
Furry and fascinating! February’s Wild About Science session focuses on mammals of all shapes and sizes. Your family will experience live encounters and interactive activities guided by Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium experts.
Included with museum admission — free for members!
11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Avera Stage Science, third floor of the Kirby Science Discovery Center

Pipes to Pedals: Tracker Organ Showcase (Concert)
2026-02-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Christ Church Episcopal – Lead, 631 W. Main, Lead, S, 57754, United States
Join us for Pipes to Pedals: Tracker Organ Showcase, a free community arts and heritage event at Christ Church Episcopal in Lead celebrating its 119-year-old tracker pipe organ. On Friday, Feb 27 at 7 PM, guest organist Andrew Earhart and local historians present an engaging talk + Q&A exploring the instrument and its story. On Saturday, Feb 28 at 7 PM, return for an organ concert performed by Earhart highlighting the organ’s distinctive sound and the church’s acoustics. Free and open to the public (donations welcomed).

Wild About Science: Invertebrates
2026-03-21 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Washinton Pavilion, 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, S, 57104, United States
This winter, let curiosity run wild! In collaboration with the Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium, our Wild About Science series brings live animals and family fun together one Saturday a month from November through March.
Crawl, buzz and wiggle into the world of invertebrates! Learn about spiders, insects and other creatures without backbones in this final Wild About Science adventure of the season. Explore their amazing abilities through hands-on activities and live animal demonstrations led by the Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium.
Included with museum admission — free for members!
11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Avera Stage Science, third floor of the Kirby Science Discovery Center

Surface Rhythms: MFA Thesis Exhibition
2026-04-06 - 2026-04-10 | USD College of Fine Arts, East Clark Street, Vermillion, South Dakota, 57069, United States
Surface Rhythms is an abstract art exhibition by MFA painting student Mariom Manjury Nishe from the University of South Dakota. The event presents artworks exploring emotion, rhythm, and memory through color, layered materials, and sculpturally shaped surfaces.
The exhibition invites viewers to experience contemporary abstract painting through texture, movement, and color relationships. The event is free and open to the public.

David Smith Watercolor Workshop
2026-04-29, 2026-04-30, 2026-05-01 | Calvary Chapel Sioux Falls, 4901 E. 26th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57110, United States
David Smith will be our guest workshop artist on April 29, 30, and May 1st.
Location: Calvary Chapel Sioux Falls, 4901 E. 26th St. Sioux Falls SD 57110
Cost: GPWS Members $318.60 (Ticket price $300 + tax) Non-Members $372.75 (Ticket price $350 + tax)
All levels of artists are welcome.
Maximum number of participants 20.
Registration will open on March 1st and close on April 1st
To avoid any additional fees, all payments must be made by check
After registering online, make checks payable to GPWS and send to PO Box 314, Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Registration not confirmed until payment is received.
David has displayed his work in galleries and museums across the US and his work has been awarded at the state and national level. He has received Signature Membership with the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America and others. To view some of his beautiful paintings visit his website at www.dsmithfineart.com
To prevent his paintings from becoming overly precise and to better convey a sense of energy, David employs a variety of techniques, including wet-into-wet application, glazing, pouring, spattering, and spraying. These methods keep his work fresh and spontaneous, effortlessly creating dynamic intermingling of color and texture.
David’s favorite subjects are drawn from nature. He finds inspiration both in his travels abroad and while exploring state and national parks. Painting subjects in compelling light, emphasizing the contrast between light and shadow, and revealing the jewel-like qualities that naturally emerge through the fluid movement of the medium all fuel David’s enthusiasm for creating his next work.
