The South Dakota Art Museum has endeavored to host a variety of artists and their works since the founding in 1970.
This year marks the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. For the event, art museum staff wanted to design an exhibit to commemorate American culture.
“It’s titled ‘America in Art’” Museum Director Donna Merkt says.
The task of capturing the nature of America proved to be difficult. Early internal conversations about themes were vague, Merkt noted.
Each staff member held differing beliefs about pieces to select for the collection. Then, a public survey was proposed. A set of questions were posted across campus, on social media, and in the paper for people to answer. An influx of responses, all varying, surprised the staff members.
“People didn’t want to shy away from difficult conversations. That they realized the history of America and its current place is a very layered, complicated situation,” Merkt said.
The America in Art sign reflects this awareness. The mixture of classical and pop-culture font means to represent the community perspectives within the installation.
Staff reached out to Indigenous, African-American and local artists to feature.
Three smaller sections comprise the American in Art exhibit, all of which are titled from the Preamble of the Constitution.
The first section is named “We the People.” It highlights the perspectives, voices, and identities of the American people.
A large wooden figure stands in the corner of the section. It depicts a face, nails driven into the head and cords of ceramic beads trailing from the crown.
Bey is an African-American artist hailing from Pennsylvania.
His works often features influence from traditional African arts, and women within domestic scenarios during and after the institution of slavery.
The aforementioned piece, titled Domestic Commoner, recognizes power in identity.
Merkt said that despite not all coming from the same roots, every one of us starts from a beginning.
The second section, “Of the United States,” comments on land as well as place and power.
Pieces range from commentaries on the displacement of indigenous and enslaved people, to nostalgic Americana images.
The intersection of these themes prompts visitors to reflect on their beliefs and ideals. There is no single message that museum staff hope to be understood.
“Secure the Blessings of Liberty” contains works of conflicting themes and ideals.
The third and final section of “America in Art” considers promises of the nation that have fallen short for many.
“People have died for these ideals, that don’t extend equally to everyone,” She continued on to state that the most valuable part of the exhibition was the conversations it inspires.
The Art Museum’s goal has always been to be a host for diversity.
Both Merkt and Museum Education Curator Abigail Ramsbottom hope that visitors come away with a sense of empathy.
Out of the current four exhibitions within the Art Museum, “America in Art” is joined by “Flyover,” “Marghab Linens” and “New Arrivals.”
Flyover features artists Susan Turnbill, Kenny Putnam, Dale Lampere and Roger Broer.
The South Dakota natives all have established careers of their own, but wanted to stretch their limits with a collaborative effort.
Marghab Linens is a permanent installation within the museum.
Selected by SDSU Alumn Sharon van Riper, the displays feature a variety of embroidered works. Van Riper worked for 30 years in order to complete the selection, and often works on the museum Archives.
“New Arrivals” is a collection that has been acquired over the last five years
Some works were purchased by the museum or acquired through collectors like the Art Bridges Foundation.
“It’s not a show where you just look at one piece and expect to have one message. It’s about the conversations that are happening between the artworks and how people reflect on that.” Merkt said.