FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2005

CONTACT: Carla Seybold, (605) 279-2665

Artists Expand Horizons During Wall-Badlands Art Expo 

PIERRE, S.D. – Art enthusiasts can learn from some of the country’s best artists during the Wall-Badlands Art Expo, Sept. 6-10. Set against a backdrop of the majestic, inspiring landscape of Badlands National Park, the expo features a week of workshops taught by three nationally-known artists.

Rapid City native José Padilla will instruct a two-day workshop on airbrushing techniques. A five-day watercolor workshop will be hosted by Frank LaLumia, a signature member of Plein Air (outdoors) Painters of America, from Trinidad, Colo. John Hulsey of Lawrence, Kan., whose work has been featured in numerous national publications, will conduct his five-day workshop on Plein Air oil painting. 

“Badlands National Park, with its far reaching vistas for perspective and beautiful color palette, makes the perfect place for a Plein Air experience,” said Carla Seybold of the Wall-Badlands Chamber of Commerce. “The Wall-Badlands Art Expo gives novice and experienced artists a chance to expand their talent in a natural and inspiring environment.”

The expo begins with an opening night mixer and a guided tour of a $3 million private Western art collection. The week closes Sept. 10 with an evening banquet, during which art by students and instructors will be on display. Pre-registration for the expo is required and must be submitted by Aug. 5. 

Visit Wall-Badlands.com or call (605) 279-2945 to enroll, or visit TravelSD.com for travel packages.

The Wall-Badlands Art Expo has been designated a “Great Event” by the South Dakota Office of Tourism. The Office of Tourism provides assistance to event coordinators and supports promotional efforts for designated events in order to boost visitor spending and to increase the economic impact in host communities. The Great Events campaign is one component of the 2010 Initiative, which includes doubling visitor spending to $1.2 billion by 2010.  

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