“The Goods” opening at the Dahl
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 JonesÂ
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Thanks for the great comment on The Goods. The Dahl Staff and Rapid City Arts Council were really pleased with the event. After all was tallied, with the donations of brilliant art from the artists, donations of fine food from the caterers and exceptional wine from Johnson Brothers Wholesale Liquor, the event raised almost 13K.
I caught a new art show on the Travel channel this week. It is called Art Attack with Lee Sanstead. If this show has been on awhile this was the first time I saw it. Check it out on Sunday morning!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I attended the “Goods” party and made an observation that has me wondering if the Dahl is really reaching out to the “community”. I mean, doesn’t the “community” mean all peoples? I counted only 3 maybe 4 persons of color there and one of those was the “hired”, I think, entertainer. Now, 3 or 4 persons of color out of 250 plus attendee’s? Doesn’t anyone see anything wrong with this picture? Where is the diversity? We have one of the largest Native populations around and only a few attended the “New Art Centers” party. When we say community who is included? I don’t know, I guess I notice these kinds of things I wonder if anything will ever change around here.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I find Kevin’s comments interesting not because The Dahl needs to defend its minority patronage, but rather because minority patronage maybe needs to defend itself.
From October 24 to December 7, The Dahl showcased Keith Braveheart, a Native American. I can’t imagine a more enticing lead-in for Native Americans to visit, join, and then participate in the Dahl, including “The Goods” (November 14), which was inclusive of the Braveheart exhibition.
One must ask, what is the definition of “reaching out?” One of the biggest Dahl events of the year showcased itself around Native American art, yet that event lacked Native American participation?
There’s a difference between “reaching out” and “dragging in.” One is voluntary and the other is kidnapping.
What more would Kevin have done?
December 16th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hello there,
I am the newest community blogger and just wanted to stop in and say hello!
Come on over and visit if you get a chance.
Deirdre
January 8th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Kevin, I appreciate your comments. And yours too Anton.
As director of the Dahl I would say that there is ALWAYS room for improvement. In our defense I would also say that the popularity of the event on top of everything going on in construction took us somewhat by surprise. Before tickets were even printed people were calling to reserve spaces. And, as it was a first event in the new space–we were very cautious of trying to do too much too fast.
Kevin–you are a person who is getting involved in the Dahl. And I’m sure that you will have great ideas about how we can market better to the Native community. Let us get this building open and we’ll all work together to make it happen. Linda Anderson