Shortgrass Arts

Courtesy of the Capital Journal

PIERRE — The Short Grass Arts Council art show will kick off this year’s exhibit with an artist reception starting at 5 p.m., at the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It is a good opportunity to meet the artists,” said Short Grass Arts Council board member Carol Schneiderhan.
About 40 adult artists will show their work as well as 40 area students.

There will be students from Riggs High School, Georgia Morse Middle School and for the first time, Stanley County High School.
“We are really excited,” said Schneiderhan.
“(Carol Schneiderhan) really bent over backward to help me get things going” for the art show, said Stanley County High School art teacher Audrey Nelson.
Nelson asked each student in her classes to submit one piece of art for the show. She has 20-25 students entering pieces into the show.
“I’m really excited to get these kids out there and get them going,” said Nelson. “And hopefully keep them motivated to continue with art even if it is just a hobby after they leave here.”
For a $10 fee, the adult artists were invited to bring five pieces to showcase in any category of their choice.
The categories for art this year are close to the same as previous years, said Schneiderhan. But there will be some new things to see — or buy — this year.
“There will be two dresses, two purses and one hooded scarf made out of recycled material,” for show and sale said Schneiderhan.
A new category this year has also been added to the growing art show.
Quilling, or “cut paper” is long strips of different colored paper cut and rolled into coil shapes and glued into a pattern onto a paper.
From jewelry to watercolor, this year’s art show promises to have something for everybody.
There will also be ballots available for the public to cast and name their favorite piece in each category.
The tallies will be completed by 3 p.m., Sunday, said Schneiderhan, and a blue ribbon will be given to a piece of artwork in each category.
The art show will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Admission to the art show is free.

Juell Johnson Jazz Festival finds new home at Kings Inn

Courtesy of the Capital Journal

PIERRE — For 19 years, Larry Johnson has been bringing local musicians together in the name of his father, Juell Johnson.
Saturday night promises to do the same and add surprises for jazz festival goers. The Juell Johnson Jazz Festival will start at 7 p.m., Saturday, at the Kings Inn Convention Center.
“This year, the festival is a lot later,” said Johnson. “And because of the lateness, we wanted to try something different with the venue.”

Instead of showcasing the local jazz talent at the Grand Opera House as in years past, the festival has been moved to the Kings Inn Convention Center. Johnson hopes it will provide the audience with a more-relaxed atmosphere where they can grab a drink if they choose.
“For the most part, the festival has been pretty formal and in some ways that is not what jazz is. It is meant to be laid back.”
The line-up for the concert includes Over Forte′, South Madison Street Blues, Surprise Package, the Jim Szana Trio, a Dixie-land band, as well as several soloists.
The sponsors of the festival, the Short Grass Arts Council, would like to have a dance floor for the audience members who bring their dancing shoes to the event.
It hasn’t been cleared yet, but if the group gets the     go-ahead, there will be time for dancing after the concert is over.
“People like to dance to the big band,” said Johnson. “We will try to go … have an actual dance time of about an hour where people can get up and enjoy some very danceable music.”
Over Forte′ has played for area residents for many years and in doing so has gained a lot of music
“We’ve been able to get a large library of very danceable music. A lot of it is from the 1930s-1940s, but we also have music from the 1920s to the present,” Johnson said.
Saturday night promises to bring down the house at Kings Inn Convention Center with local volunteer musicians. This will be one festival jazz fans won’t want to miss.
Tickets for the event are $7 and can be purchased at the door. A cash bar and snacks will be available.
The doors open at 7 p.m.

Welcome to our little corner. We have one purpose in mind and it drives our existance and obviously this web site. We are here to promot the arts in Pierre and Ft. Pierre South Dakota by hook or by crook. To that end, please avail yourselves of this forum to help make your arts event or program known to the public.

Check out this blog from time to time for musings and ranmblings from the board of directors and comments from interested parties. We welcome your input.

There are new and exciting things going on at SGAC.  Check back regularly for info