MELANGE-Summer 2019

ART
Art
A
Art—in all its forms—has long been a cornerstone of life in the
Black Hills of South Dakota. From the Passion Play to the Black
Hills Playhouse, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse to the tiny
little galleries sprinkled throughout our Hills communities, if you
stop to look around, art is EVERYWHERE.
And it’s more than beautiful paintings and sculptures. Art is in
food. It’s in architecture. It’s in music and fashion and photography
and design. Art makes us feel. It helps us understand ourselves and
communicate with the world around us.
It also improves mental and emotional health, fosters higher
intelligence, and has a positive impact on the economy. In
2018, the arts contributed more to the national economy than
agriculture or transportation and employed nearly 5 million people.
In fact, the National Governor’s Association touts the benefits of
art and creative industries as a critical factor in economic growth
and prosperity.
In a nutshell, it’s important. And we’re here to tell you about it.
Unique opportunities to experience, create, and appreciate art are
popping up all over the region. Like, for instance, the graffiti festival
happening a few hours outside of Rapid City. And the world-famous
animator visiting a tiny little downtown gallery. Not to mention the
many art walks, art nights, and art workshops. If you are a creator
or an art lover… even if you’re an art neophyte… there’s something
here that will spark you, inspire you, delight you. Don’t believe us?
Read on. And then check out our calendar pages in the back, or find
us online, for more scintillating ideas.
8 melangeblackhills.com | SUMMER 2019
MÉLANGE | a mix of Art fun 9