Pictured: Anna Reich, Washroom, Sunrise, Wyoming, 2022, archival pigment print
Seven members of the Augustana community are featured as part of the juried South Dakota Governor’s 10th Biennial Art Exhibition traveling throughout the state of South Dakota in 2023-24.
Seventy-four works from 69 artists were selected to be part of the exhibition out of nearly 130 total submissions. Among them are the works of Scott Parsons ‘87 and Dr. Lindsay Twa, professors of art, Anna Reich, associate professor of art, Sharon Gray, director of instructional technology, as well as Augustana alumni Bridget Beck ‘00, Wyatt Dickson ‘18 and Emilia Van Ert ‘15.
“It is exciting to see Augustana represented so well in this biennial, which is South Dakota’s signal contemporary art exhibition. It is also heartening to see the excellent work of our alumni contributing to the vitality of our state’s art scene through their wide range of styles,” said Twa, director of Augustana's Eide/Dalrymple Gallery.
The mission of the South Dakota Governor’s Biennial Art Exhibition is to encourage and recognize South Dakota artists and promote the artistic identity of the state. The exhibition celebrates its cultural and creative heritage, and encourages a larger sense of connection across separate artistic communities. The biennial is intended to be a celebration of artistic excellence and diversity — exposing visitors to the quality and range of artistic practices taking place within the state.
The works in the exhibition include drawings, sculptures and paintings, as well as 3D printed ceramic forms, plastic assemblages, fabric landscapes and various forms of photography, mixed media, collage and printmaking. According to the exhibition catalog, the biennial is a "cross section of works exploring the landscape, body and perceptions of self."
The exhibition’s first stop includes the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota, through May 14, and then the John A. Day Gallery in Vermillion, from June 19 - Aug. 4, before moving on to the Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, from Aug. 25 - Nov. 12, before ending up in Rapid City, at the Dahl Arts Center, from Dec. 15, 2023 - March 30, 2024.
Made possible by the South Dakota Arts Councils, the 10th and largest biennial was juried by representatives from each of the participating institutions.