FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 5, 2016

CONTACT: Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us

May 7 Smithsonian Saturday program at Cultural Heritage Center to focus on American Art

PIERRE, S.D. – The Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society will host a program from the Smithsonian American Art Museum entitled “Nineteen American Masterworks” with Art Historian William Kloss on Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m. CDT in the Education Room at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. 

There will be no charge to attend the program, and there is also free admission to the museum on those Saturdays.

The May 7 program, “Nineteen American Masterworks” was originally broadcast by the Smithsonian American Art Museum on June 24, 2015. The program features masterworks produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America, which was a "coming-of-age" period in American art. Kloss explores the works from Gilded Age, impressionist, and Ashcan school painters.  

“We are excited to offer a diverse and creative programming schedule for Smithsonian Saturdays,” said Jay Smith, museum director, “Last month we featured the genius of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and in May we feature classic American artwork from the turn of the last century and an intellectual discussion of American art. Artists, as well as those interested in American history will find this program to be fascinating.” 

Visitors should note that the State Archives is also open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month, making it a great day for the whole family to enjoy a variety of activities at the Cultural Heritage Center on Smithsonian Saturdays.  

The South Dakota State Historical Society became a Smithsonian Affiliate in January 2013 and is the only affiliate in South Dakota.

-30-

About the South Dakota State Historical Society

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, 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.

About Smithsonian Affiliations

Established in 1996, Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. The long-term goal of Smithsonian Affiliations is to facilitate a two-way relationship among Affiliate organizations and the Smithsonian Institution to increase discovery and inspire lifelong learning in communities across America. More information about the Smithsonian Affiliations program and Affiliate activity is available at https://affiliations.si.edu.