BROOKINGS, S.D. - Oct. 2, 2014 - The much-anticipated South Dakota Governor’s Biennial Art Exhibition, highlighting artists from across the state, opened this week at the South Dakota Art Museum. Of the 420 pieces submitted for the South Dakota Governor’s Sixth Biennial Art Exhibition, only 53 were selected for this traveling showcase of South Dakota artwork. The South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings has the privilege of being the first of five locations throughout the state to display these artworks, each created by artists living and working in South Dakota. The exhibit will be showcased in the museum through Jan. 4, 2015.
Five South Dakota State University faculty members—Diana Behl, Jeannie French, Peter Reichardt, Kristyn Weaver and Molly Wicks—had pieces selected for the Governor’s Exhibition. Behl was awarded an honorable mention for her piece titled “holiday.”
Chris Atkins, Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program Coordinator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, served as the single juror charged with choosing works for the exhibit. “As the South Dakota Governor’s Sixth Biennial Art Exhibition will show, South Dakota has many talented artists, working with varied and diverse practices,” said Atkins.
“The mission of recognizing, encouraging, promoting and celebrating South Dakota artists and the artistic identity, heritage and future of the state is very important to me,” said Jodi Lundgren of the South Dakota Art Museum. “There aren’t many artists in the state making a living with their work and encouraging them to keep up the good work is important for them as well as for developing patronage and appreciation on the part of visitors.”
The biennial exhibition began in 2003 with a goal “to recognize and encourage South Dakota artists, to promote the artistic identity of South Dakota and to celebrate the cultural and artistic heritage and future of South Dakota.” Thanks to a grant from the South Dakota Arts Council, in addition to being able to produce a catalog and work with other museums in traveling the exhibition throughout the state, the South Dakota Art Museum can purchase pieces from the governor’s exhibition to add to the museum’s permanent collection.
“This way, we get to preserve our artistic heritage, and the artists get to make some money from a sale. It’s a win-win,” said Lundgren. "I'd like to thank? the South Dakota Arts Council as well as Governor Daugaard for his endorsement and support of the exhibition."