FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 18, 2010

CONTACT:  Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000

Capitol Centennial Art Show: Second Piece Unveiled

PIERRE, S.D. – The second of dozens of new works of art commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the South Dakota Capitol will be unveiled this weekend in Rapid City.

A State Capitol watercolor created by Hill City artist Jon Crane will be shown for the first time at a public reception on Sunday, May 23, at Heron’s Flight Studio, 211 Founders Park Drive. The reception runs from 2-5 p.m., MDT.

Crane’s watercolor is part of a collaboration of work being developed for the Capitol Centennial Celebration.  About 30 South Dakota artists are coming together to create a tribute to the South Dakota Capitol.  The South Dakota Heritage Fund, the nonprofit financial partner of the State Historical Society, is coordinating the art project.

“Having Jon Crane involved in this historic project benefits all South Dakotans,” said Heritage Fund President Patricia Miller. “He has preserved history in an affordable piece of art.”

This weekend’s reception in Rapid City will feature other artists involved in the Capitol Centennial Art Show, signing of limited-edition prints, and activities for kids.

Crane’s watercolor is the second piece of the Capitol Centennial Series to be unveiled. A painting by Rapid City artist Angela Marie Poches was unveiled in March during the kickoff event for the centennial.

Art on Tour

Receptions for Crane and Poches, as well as other participating artists are scheduled throughout the summer. Each of the artist receptions listed below is open to the public.

Dacotah Prairie Museum, Aberdeen

Friday, June 4, 7-9 p.m., CDT

Goss Opera House & Gallery, Watertown

Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., CDT

Sertoma Butterfly House, Sioux Falls

Sunday, June 6, 1-4 p.m., CDT,

The final showing of the complete Capitol Centennial art series will be held during the Capitol Centennial Celebration at the State Capitol in Pierre on June 19 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., CDT.  The artwork will be auctioned that evening. People unable to attend the auction will be able to bid on the art online.

For a full listing of participating artists and more information about the Capitol Centennial Art Show, visit www.sdheritagefund.com or call (605) 773-6346.

For more information about the June 19 centennial event, go to capitol.sd.gov

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The South Dakota Heritage Fund is a private charitable nonprofit that seeks funding to assist the South Dakota State Historical Society in programming and projects to preserve South Dakota’s history and heritage for future generations.

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.