At last night’s opening of Dick Termes’  ”Termespheres” there was a good crowd and lots of up-beat “wows”.  50 pieces, hung at eye level from small chains, most of which were motorized from the ceiling and slowly turning in space.  It was strange navigating through the room with your vision blocked by various spheres and being captivated by one or more at the same time.  They gave Dick the mike and he explained some of them which greatly added to their attraction.  He has always haunted me throughout my career making “atmospheres” , clay spheres and spheroids thrown on the wheel with the sky glazed on them. http://www.youtube.com/Pthalo2I would go to an event with my work and people would invariably ask me if I had seen his work.At last, now I can say that I have both seen the work and met the artist.  I suggest you do the same and go to the Dahl and be amazed.   Don Jones 

We must be born with it.  A gene, or some mental wiring that says that art is some pretty imitation of nature scenes, flower arrangements, quaint villages,  and/or portraits.  Overcoming this wiring is usually the job of education or having a son or daughter who wants to become an “artist”  I spent my first year here subbing in the Middle and High Schools in art classes.  I can say that the art teachers here in Rapid do a wonderful job in teaching basic skills and ways of looking at historical and contemporary art.  So the problem is not in education.  For a long time, part of the problem was not having a proper venue to showcase challenging artworks for the general public.  Now that we have the new and expanded Dahl Art Center the problem of exposure should be solved.  Now we have to get folks in the door and actually looking at stuff they are not used to looking at.   The light paintings of Stephen Knapp may be a middle ground of sorts for those who like beautiful things and aren’t bothered by abstract shapes.  The work of Ross Rudel is another matter and maybe some explanation or more time spent pondering is in order.   Both artists can be seen at the new Dahl and they are worth the trip. Come out of your “comfort zone” a little and see some work that will get you thinking about what is art and what is beautiful.  Don Jones 

It was nice to get cleaned up and go to the opening Friday 14th at the new Dahl space.  I was told that some 250 plus people showed up.  Most if not all the major local  artists were there as well as collectors and other local luminaries.  The quality of the work was especially high, the food was excellent and 3 wine tickets per person got everyone in a good mood.                                                                                                                                                         I think the Dahl staff and volunteers are to be commended for putting this thing together and introducing the new space to the community.  It felt like big time to me and the new and improved Dahl will become the center for the arts in the area.                                        Nice job!!                                                    Don Jones 

South Dakota is a beautiful place, especially here in the Black Hills area.  I have seen many good artists with sculpture, paintings and crafts exhibiting in local area galleries.  I wonder how many of them are doing it full time?  Do they have to show in a larger market like Chicago or Minneapolis or Denver?  Can you make it here?Don Jones 

As some of you know, I’m a former clay artist currently refining my skills as an oil painter.  Last year I had a really good time at the Plein Aire paint out run by the good folks at Blue Dog Gallery.  This year is a very different kind of event and I would encourage all of you aspiring painters and professionals to participate.  Below is a copy of an email I received.  It references a project conceived by Jon Crane regarding the preservation of the Meeker Ranch.  This is where this fall’s paint out is happening:

First of all, I would like to thank you for your interest and support in the Meeker Ranch.  Your emails, calls, and letters let the Forest Service know that the public is truly interested in preserving places like this on public lands.Things are progressing.  Gail and I met with the Forest Service in May.  We came away encouraged, but we know that much must be done to make this a reality.  A nonprofit (501C3) group needs to be formed to partner with the Forest Service.  We are meeting next Thursday evening (July 24th) with a group interested in preserving the Gold Mountain Mine near Hill City in order to form an organization to help preserve these and other places in the Black Hills.  If you are interested in attending this meeting please email me at this address, and I will send directions.In September we are going to have an exciting event at the Meeker Ranch that will be open to the public.  John and Jan Humphrey, who own the Blue Dog Framer and Gallery in Lead have generously volunteered to move their GREAT BLACK HILLS PLEIN AIRE PAINT OUT to the ranch. This is an event where artists from around the region come to the Black Hills each fall to paint on location.  Many of the artists will be at the ranch from the 10th through the 14th of September.  Much of the artwork from the week will be sold at a “Wet Sale” on Sunday.  At least 30% of the proceeds will go toward the project.  We are hoping to have about 40 artists involved this year.  I plan to be one of them. Participation in this event is open to all amateur and professional artists, so If you know of anyone interested, have them call Blue Dog Framers at 605-717-0003. This will be a fun event for artists and the public.

You can call the Blue Dog for details and comment here for ideas as to help the community at large.

Thanks,

Don Jones