FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Monday, April 06, 2015
CONTACT:  Tony Venhuizen or Kelsey Pritchard at 605-773-3212

Gov. Daugaard Appoints Lamphere As Artist Laureate

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has issued an executive order naming South Dakota artist Dale Lamphere of Sturgis as South Dakota’s Artist Laureate.

Lamphere will be South Dakota’s first artist laureate since the death of renowned Native American artist Oscar Howe.  This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Howe’s birth.

“South Dakota has a rich tradition in the arts, and I hope that reestablishing the artist laureate position will emphasize that heritage,” said Gov. Daugaard.  “Dale Lamphere is an outstanding sculptor, and I know he will be an advocate for the arts and for South Dakota artists.”

Dale Lamphere has been a professional sculptor for more than 45 years.  Among his prominent works in South Dakota are the State Capitol rotunda’s sculptures representing wisdom, courage, vision and integrity; the “Spirit of Dakota” sculpture at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron; and “Dignity,” a forty-foot sculpture of a Native American woman that will be erected on the river breaks near Chamberlain this year.

Under the terms of the executive order, Lamphere will serve a four-year term that ends on July 1, 2019.  Future governors will have the opportunity, every four years, to name a new artist laureate to promote the arts and represent South Dakota’s varied artistic traditions.

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Editor’s note: The official wording of Gov. Daugaard’s executive order is included on page 2.

Executive Order
South Dakota Artist Laureate

Whereas, the arts play a vital role in the lives and well-being of the people of South Dakota; and, much of that vitality is created and nurtured by talented South Dakota artists in a variety of arts disciplines; and,

Whereas, the creation of the position of South Dakota Artist Laureate will honor one of these artists who will serve as a spokesperson for the arts and inspire other artists to dedicate their work and productive careers to the service of community through the arts; and,

Whereas, 2015 marks the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Oscar Howe, South Dakota’s only previous Artist Laureate:

Whereas, South Dakota native, Dale Lamphere, has contributed to the culture and vitality of the state as a professional artist for 45 years; and, 

Whereas, Dale’s sculptures are found and may be appreciated throughout South Dakota, including the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre; and,

Whereas, Dale has completed over 60 major public commissions across the United States and his work is included in private collections around the world; and,

Whereas, Dale’s artistic quality and achievement have been recognized with numerous awards, included the Governor’s Award in the Arts for Distinction in Creative Achievement;

Now, Therefore, I, Dennis Daugaard, Governor of the state of South Dakota, do hereby appoint

Dale Claude Lamphere

as South Dakota’s Artist Laureate. This order expires on July 1, 2019.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of South Dakota, in Pierre, the Capital City, this ____________ of January in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fifteen.