South Dakota Governor’s
Third Biennial Art Exhibition "Endless Imagination"

The Dacotah Prairie Museum is proud to present the Governor’s Art Exhibition, “Endless Imagination”, which opened in Aberdeen on Friday, July 25th and will remain open until September 30, 2008. The exhibition is the third installment of the exhibition in the six years since Governor M. Michael Rounds has taken office. Governor Rounds states: “The Biennial was conceived...as a means to recognize and encourage South Dakota artists, to promote the state’s unique artists identity, and to celebrate our rich cultural heritage and endless creative potential...Jean and I are proud to present the artists and artwork selected for Endless Imagination...”

The exhibit consisted of 54 pieces of artwork by South Dakota residents in a wide variety of media and subject matter, representing both 2-dimentional and 3-dimentional art. All artwork was selected by a panel of three judges with an eye for “Endless Imagination”, this year’s theme. The exhibit began at The Journey Museum in Rapid City in February, 2008, and then traveled to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings. After leaving the Dacotah Prairie Museum in September, it will continue to the University of South Dakota Art Galleries in Vermillion and end its touring schedule at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Several local artists have been juried into this exhibition and they include:  Nick Fisher of Aberdeen with his soft pastel painting, a graphite and pastel drawing by Larry D. Negated of Watertown, and an acrylic painting by Nicole Fisher of Aberdeen. Other artist selected for this outstanding show are: William Mends, Anita Erickson, Jodi Jennies, Jeff Freeman, Christopher Meter, Joy Crane, John Henry Peters, Jean Selvy-Wyss, Martin E. Red Bear, Jeff Gulbransen, Mark Stemwedel, Janet Hotrod McGlaughlin, Greet Bodyguard, Michelle Eschew, Lisa Shoemaker, Tom Eastern, Anna Youngers,Joshua Watts, Martin Hon Gerhard, Bryan Holland, Renee M. Boatel, Jean Peter-Lars, Steve Babied, Mario Lira, Joseph T. Night, Philip Michael Hook, Ron Johns, Jean Laughter, Betty L. Beer, Ray Tysdal, Eli Show, John Banasiak, Johntinothy Pizzuto,Randall Roger,  Patricia S. Roberts-Pizzuto, Denise Aubrey, Scott Parsons, Joe Owe, Julie Niskanen, Paul Scholar, Susan Heggestad, Tim Stele, Faith Bender, Bruce Preemie, Paul Peterson, Roxanne Ahlers, Lynn Throe, Dray L. BruceCassandra Wit, Gloria Spinal, Bonnie Hartpence, Vi Colombo.

It is hoped that in time, this exhibition will grow to even more fully represent the incredible diversity of art that exists in South Dakota. Just as our state is home to a fascinating mix of peoples, geography, and diverse cultures, it is also home to an amazing variety of artists.

For information on past exhibits in the Lamont Gallery, please click here.