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Art Project Exploring Rural America Stops In SD

Ashley Hanson

An artist making a documentary about rural America stopped in Rapid City. The project titled Public Transformation explores political divides around the country by sharing stories.

The Public Transformation bus is visiting towns with less than 10,000 throughout the U.S. including the Pine Ridge Reservation. Ashley Hanson is the founder of the documentary project. She planned a route that stretches from San Francisco to Washington D.C. over six weeks.

Hanson says this project was inspired by recent sweeping generalizations made about people in rural areas.

“The core is looking at art and how art can connect people across differences because it’s been such a divisive election season and because we are pitted against each other on political party lines, class race, geography—all of it.”

Hanson interviews artists and community development leaders to tell stories from inside rural areas. 

“Many of the artists that I specifically met with, not saying that this is true of all artists, but really do see themselves as a part of civic life and a part of that community—that they have a role in helping to develop their community’s pride or propose or the next generation, really, of rural America.”

She says she hopes the finished project helps rural areas find a way to hold onto their culture while embracing the modern age.

“We are innately resistant to change. And I think that that’s kind of a stereotype and a truth in rural America. But how do we invite folks into the conversation to say can we look at how we can progress our communities into a healthy, vibrant, lively place while still maintaining our traditions and our values and what that might look like for us.”

Hanson says she plans to travel through February 10th and has scheduled exhibitions in Minnesota for later this year.