While Mount Rushmore may be the most stunning example of visual arts in South Dakota, the state offers much more to arts-minded travelers. Visitors will find a number of interesting art museums, galleries, and exhibits to enjoy. Artists in the Mount Rushmore State have made their mark on the art world, too.
Mount Rushmore
Since its completion, Mount Rushmore has become not only the world's largest sculpture, but a symbol of American patriotism. Millions of people every year come to see the 60-foot tall faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved into the stone of the Black Hills.
It all began in 1923 with an idea by Doane Robinson, the State Historian of South Dakota, to attract tourists to the state. Senator Peter Norbeck and Congressman William Williamson played instrumental roles in acquiring federal approval and funding for the project. John Boland also helped with fund raising, as well as keeping the project on budget.
In 1924, Robinson wrote to sculptor Gutzon Borglum, hoping to hire him to head up the project. Borglum was an excellent choice, as he had already achieved success with sculptures of renowned people. And at the time, he was carving a massive sculpture of Robert E. Lee into Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Born in Idaho, Borglum had spent his childhood living in several Western and Midwestern states. After a promising start to his career as a young man, he studied art in Europe, where he became good friends with sculptor Auguste Rodin. Borglum's European years included successful shows in Paris and England, and his works even ended up in Windsor Castle for the enjoyment of Queen Victoria. He returned to the United States in 1901 and began developing his own American style of sculpture.
Interested in Robinson's proposal, Borglum brought his 12 year-old son, Lincoln, to South Dakota with him in 1924 to scout locations for the sculpture. When problems between Borglum and the Stone Mountain project's businessmen led to his abrupt dismissal in Georgia, he was free to devote his time to the Presidential carvings. He and Lincoln returned to South Dakota in 1925, settling on Mount Rushmore as the best location for the monument.
Work began on the mountain sculpture in 1927. Hundreds of workers helped blast and carve the stone over the following years. Lincoln Borglum was among them, beginning as an unpaid laborer and gradually working his way up to positions with more responsibility. When Gutzon Borglum died in March, 1941, Lincoln took over as the monument's primary sculptor. After a few finishing touches, Mount Rushmore was finally completed in October, 1941. Lincoln Borglum then served as the first National Park Superintendent at the monument.
Museums and More
If Mount Rushmore leaves you wanting more art to see, you won't be disappointed. Although Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Custer boast the most vibrant art scenes in South Dakota, a lot of communities throughout the state house locales to view or buy art.
The South Dakota Art Museum, located in Brookings, plays an important role in preserving the artistic heritage of South Dakota. To this end, SDAM promotes the diverse backgrounds and histories that make South Dakota art what it is today. The museum includes six galleries, which have featured exhibits from artists such as Harvey Dunn, Bryan Holland, and Giedre Montvila. As well, their South Dakota Collection houses over 600 pieces by South Dakotan artists, including Ada Caldwell, Carol Hepper, and Signe Stuart.
Watertown's Redlin Gallery is dedicated to preserving and displaying the art of South Dakota artist Terry Redlin. From 1991 to 1998, he was named America's Most Popular Artist by U.S. Art magazine. His paintings center around nature motifs like wildlife and outdoor scenes, often set at twilight. The gallery also features South Dakota's first planetarium. The Redlin Gallery is an attraction that begs to be experienced.
The Prairie Edge Trading Company & Galleries, located in Rapid City, prides itself on displaying one of the best collections of authentic Plains Indian arts and crafts. In addition, it carries Native American music, books, and other products. The gallery has been in existence since the early 1980s.
For something really interesting, visitors should be sure to check out the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Sciences, located in Sioux Falls. This facility houses the Husby Performing Arts Center, the Kirby Science Discovery Center, the popular CineDome Theater, and the Visual Arts Center. Each of these include a number of different displays and exhibits. The purpose of the Visual Arts Center is to promote art to individuals of all ages. Six galleries feature continually changing exhibits, ranging from Native American artwork to regional art displays, and the permanent collection features art from a number of local and regional artists. In addition to exhibits, the Visual Arts Center offers fun classes for kids and adults in painting, sculpting, and drawing. At the center's free Raven Industries Children's Studio, children can make their own art at no charge.
Famous Visual Artists
Whether born and bred in the Mount Rushmore State or elsewhere, many artists with a South Dakota connection have enriched the state's art heritage.
Harvey T. Dunn was born in 1884 near Manchester, South Dakota. After briefly attending South Dakota Agricultural College, he moved to Chicago to study with Howard Pyle at the Art Institute of Chicago. However, after two years of study, Dunn opened his own studio and began a successful career in illustration, his work appearing in such publications as Harper's Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post. Many of Dunn's war illustrations are displayed at the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution. The South Dakota Art Museum houses approximately 90 of his pieces.
While Mary GrandPre may not be a household name, children across the country know her illustrations from the American versions of the Harry Potter book series. Born in 1954 in South Dakota, GrandPre graduated from both Pomona College and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In addition to the Harry Potter series, her work has appeared in a number of magazines, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, and The Wall Street Journal. She also worked as an illustrator for the motion picture Antz.
Oscar Howe graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a master's degree in art. A Professor of Art at the University of South Dakota from 1957 to 1983, he created a number of murals in the state, including one within the Carnegie Library dome. His influence on Native American modern art is also noteworthy. While he reflected his Sioux background in his art, he broke from the traditional mold most Native American artists worked in at the time. Howe's work and words argued that Native American art shouldn't be pigeonholed into one set style; instead, it should embrace myriad art forms, while still drawing on Native American experiences and motivations. Among his many career achievements, Howe was honored as the Artist Laureate of South Dakota.
Renowned artist and sculptor John Lopez is best known for his sculptures of horses. His work has been commissioned by the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame on two separate occasions. As well, he participates in the City of Presidents sculpture project, whose goal is to create and display life-size bronze statues on street corners in Rapid City. To date he has completed statues of Teddy Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Calvin Coolidge, among others.
Korczak Ziolkowski also deserves to be included here, because of his contribution to Native American history. With his experience in assisting Gutzon Borglum in carving the Mount Rushmore Memorial, Ziolkowski was approached by a number of Lakota Indian chiefs to work on a memorial to Crazy Horse. The Polish-American sculptor was responsible for designing, beginning, and partially sculpting the Crazy Horse monument in the South Dakota Black Hills. Work began on the monument in 1948 and continues today, even though Ziolkowski died in 1982.
These artists and more contribute to the many different art experiences to undertake in South Dakota. And, really, it's simply a matter of what gallery or museum one wishes to attend – the Mount Rushmore State has a variety of art from which to choose.
