Article Body
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wed., Jan. 14, 2026
CONTACT: Katlyn Svendsen, Global Public Relations & Content Services Senior Director, Travel South Dakota
Governor Rhoden announces 2026 student art exhibition
PIERRE, S.D. — Governor Larry Rhoden announced 12 students who are being recognized for their artistic talents through the South Dakota Governor’s Student Art Competition. An exhibition of the artwork will be displayed in the Capitol Building in Pierre beginning Jan 9.
The Governor’s Student Art Competition exhibition will include work from the following students:
|
K-2 division |
School |
Grade |
Hometown |
|
Archer Aguirre |
O.M. Tiffany Elementary |
2 |
Aberdeen |
|
Harper Mohr |
Mike Miller Elementary |
2 |
Aberdeen |
|
Ada Veurink |
Sioux Falls Christian |
1 |
Sioux Falls |
|
3-5 division | |||
|
Lauren Konz |
Sonia Sotomayer School |
5 |
Sioux Falls |
|
Alissandra Leroy |
St. Francis School |
4 |
St. Francis |
|
Oliver Pharris |
O.M. Tiffany Elementary |
4 |
Aberdeen |
|
6-8 division | |||
|
Adela Ramirez |
ABO School District 58-3 |
8 |
Onida |
|
Kaitlyn Steinmetz |
West Middle School |
8 |
Rapid City |
|
Tatum Voorhees |
ABO School District 58-3 |
8 |
Onida |
|
9-12 division | |||
|
Emma Langerock |
Brandon Valley High School |
12 |
Brandon |
|
Samantha Morris |
Brandon Valley High School |
12 |
Brandon |
|
Emma Pearce |
Jefferson High School |
12 |
Sioux Falls |
A panel of nine professional artists served as judges for the competition. The top three ranked pieces in each age division make up the exhibition. View the exhibition brochure online at https://artscouncil.sd.gov/events/student_art_Main.aspx.
The Governor’s Student Art Competition exhibition will be open for viewing in the first-floor rotunda of the Capitol through October 2026. The Capitol is open to the public daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., including weekends and holidays, and for extended hours during Legislative Session. This exciting opportunity for student artists is a collaboration between Gov. Rhoden and the South Dakota Arts Council.
An office of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council's mission is to provide grants and services to artists, arts organizations, and schools across the state, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the State of South Dakota. The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Travel South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.
-30-