Annual CWS show to feature student art

The 31st annual Artists of the Plains Show and Sale will take place this weekend and, for the first time, will have exhibit space reserved for Augustana art students.

The Artists of the Plains is a show created by the Center for Western Studies as part of their mission of preserving the cultures of the Northern Plains. This year, the show will feature 24 regional artists at the Holiday Inn City Centre on Feb. 18-20.

"It's gotten quite a good name for itself," Tim Hoheisel, the director of outreach and communications for the CWS, said. "We have a good reputation in the community and that attracts a lot of attendees."

Eager to attract more students to the show, the CWS decided this year to dedicate a portion of the exhibition space to Augustana art students, something the Center hopes will become an annual event.

"We have a great art program here on campus and we wanted to showcase it," Hoheisel said. "It will give them something to add to their resumes, that they've been in a real show."

Senior art major and CWS intern Kayla Hathaway was part of the planning for this event and believes it will give students a chance to become more involved in the CWS.

"A lot of students don't know what the Center for Western Studies is, or what they do out in the community," Hathaway said. "Events like the Artists of the Plains Show will help broaden students knowledge about CWS programs, and encourage them to get involved in more events at the Center."

According to Hathaway, students will also gain invaluable experience by meeting and observing professional artists.

"It will give them a chance to interact with artists who are showing their work now, experience what it will be like to be an artist after they graduate," Hathaway said.

Also new to the show this year are classes and lectures from participating artists including Jerry Fogg, Nancyjance Huehl, Les Voorhis, Ed Thomas, John Offutt and Lynn Burnette.

The idea for these workshops came from suggestions by many artists wanting to create a more interactive experience.

"This is an experiment," Hoheisel said. "We thought that instead of just browsing the art, you can actually hear the artist talk about their medium."

This year's show contains a variety of two and three-dimensional art from regular attendees like award-winning wildlife artist Joshua Spies and newcomers like 1995 Augustana alumnus Chad Nelson.

Nelson is an artist and printmaker and is currently teaching art at Brandon Valley High School. In keeping with the spirit of the show, Nelson has found inspiration in the Northern Plains.

"My work does certainly reflect this area I take lots of photos of the area and sometimes incorporate them into my work," Nelson said. "Particularly the the Eminija burial mounds and trees near Brandon, S.D."

Like the Augustana students participating in the show this year, Nelson hopes that this show will allow to him to connect with other artists in the region and gain some exposure in the community.

"I am hoping to bring my work to a broader audience and network a little," Nelson said.

The Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale will begin Friday at 5 p.m. in the International Room of the Holiday Inn City Centre. Friday night attendees will get the chance to vote in the people's choice awards, which will be presented at 8 p.m. The show will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information and a workshop schedule, visit augie.edu/cws.