FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mon., April 27, 2026

CONTACT: Katlyn Svendsen, Global Public Relations & Content Services Senior Director, Travel South Dakota

Artists to Lead Creative Aging Programs Across South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) has announced its “Creative Aging SD” artist grant recipients for the current fiscal year. This year, seven artists from across the state will lead hands-on creative programs designed for older adults in communities throughout South Dakota.

SDAC’s Creative Aging SD program, currently coordinated by Ari Albright of Belle Fourche, continues and expands the work of the former Art for Life program managed by Anne F. Hatch, SDAC’s traditional arts coordinator. By bringing these efforts together under one umbrella, the program increases access to creative opportunities for organizations, communities, and individuals across the state.

These programs highlight creativity and provide sequential learning across multiple art forms, including storytelling, music, movement, writing, visual arts, traditional and folk arts, and shared community projects. They offer space for participants to learn something new, reflect on their experiences, and connect with others in meaningful ways.

Each artist will lead multiple art sessions in settings such as senior centers, healthcare facilities, tribal communities, and local gathering spaces. Participants age 55 and older will explore creative skills, share stories, and take part in hands-on activities that build confidence, connection, and a sense of purpose.

2026 Creative Aging SD Teaching Artists:

• Anna Robinson (Spearfish, film) – guiding through films by decade (1910s-1960s), incorporating film trivia and shared storytelling, culminating in a short community documentary
• Eliza Blue (Bison, dance and music) – leading traditional partner dances with live music in a welcoming, intergenerational setting
• Zon VanTran (Minnehaha County, music) – offering engaging music sessions that encourage participation, memory, and connection
• Amanda Vasek (Geddes, visual arts) – guiding participants through drawing and painting using a variety of materials and approaches
• Deborah Mitchell (Rapid City, visual arts) – supporting reflective artmaking inspired by personal stories and life experiences
• Bob Newland (Hot Springs, photography and writing) – helping veterans share their stories through portraits and written reflections
• Rosemary Buchmann (Martin, visual arts) – leading a collaborative textile and design project celebrating community and shared history

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.

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