Show Features Paul Schiller, Gerry Punt, & Julie Punt

SIOUX FALLS – “South Dakota The Beautiful,” a showcase of fine art photography and pottery illustrating South Dakota’s unique earthly beauty, is the current exhibit at Augustana’s Center for Western Studies. The exhibit features artists Paul Schiller, Gerry Punt and Julie Punt.

“South Dakota The Beautiful” is a show designed by nature photographer Paul Schiller to dispel the myth that South Dakota is dull, flat and boring. You can’t travel South Dakota in any season and not be amazed by the simple and majestic beauty that abounds throughout this great state. This show endeavors to give viewers new perspectives on this wondrous state.

Gerry and Julie Punt’s creations in pottery add real dimension to the show, illustrating the colors, shapes and textures of this land we call South Dakota. You will also find statements throughout the show from known South Dakotans that speak of the beauty of this great land. Overall this show is the beginning of a forthcoming book by Schiller that will expand on the show’s highlights.

The exhibit will be on display in the Madsen, Nelson and Elmen galleries at the Center through December 31, 2008.

Permanent exhibits at the Center include the “Fantle Scandinavian Exhibit,” The Froiland Plains Indian Exhibit,” and the “Jim Savage Woodcarving Studio and Exhibit.”

The Center for Western Studies is located in the Fantle Building at 2121 S. Summit Ave., Augustana College. Hours are 8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-5:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The Center is closed holidays. Call (605) 274-4007 for more information – www.augie.edu/cws. The Center is free and open to the public.

About the Artists…

Paul Schiller
Paul Schiller was born in Parkston, SD, and grew up in Yankton graduating from Yankton High School in 1964. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of South Dakota in 1969 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. At USD, Paul was a photographer, feature writer, and editor of the Volante. After graduation he pursued his career as a photographer and news writer for The Yankton Press and Dakotan before serving as Information Officer for the U.S. Army’s Third Armored Division in Germany.

After his service in the Army, Paul returned to South Dakota to work in advertising and in 1976 co-founded Lawrence & Schiller Advertising and Marketing in Sioux Falls. In 2000, Paul returned to his roots as a fine art photographer when he and his wife, Koni, created Acts of Nature, an innovative imaging company specializing nature images for “interior landscaping.”

Paul has led an active civic life which has been recognized by USD with the Alumni Achievement Award, and by the American Advertising Federation with their Silver Medal Award. Among his many service activities, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Sioux Empire United Way, the South Dakota Symphony, Junior Achievement of South Dakota, and the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau.
He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Washington Pavilion of Arts & Sciences and is chairman of the Board for the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

Gerry Punt
Gerry Punt graduated from the University of Sioux Falls in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art. After teaching at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, for a year, he joined the Augustana College art faculty in 1983. Since then he has been teaching all levels of ceramics and was promoted to associate professor in 1993. He was also named artist-in-residence in 2000.

Gerry has shown his work across the region including at the Washington Pavilion, Dahl Fine Arts Center in Rapid City, South Dakota State Art Museum in Brookings, the Willard Gallery at Kansas State University, and Augustana’s Eide/Dalrymple Gallery.

Julie Punt
A Sioux Falls native, Julie Punt received her Bachelor of Arts degree in art from Augustana College in 1995. Since that time, she has primarily been a studio artist and has taught many workshops and classes on hand building with clay. Julie has her own ceramic work in several galleries including: Eide/Dalrymple Gallery, Augustana College; Visual Arts Center of the Washington Pavilion; North Dakota State University; Frogman’s Press and Gallery in Beresford, SD; Koch Hazard Architects and the Weidenaar Gallery in Sioux Center, IA.
 

Phone: 274-4007
Fax: 274-4999
www.augie.edu/cws