Marghab Linens: Madeiran Embroidery
January 25, 2010 - April 1, 2010

Madeiran embroidery is limited to the use of 18 basic stitches and one technique in order to be labeled as "Madeira". The government ensures that only traditional embroidery methods are used. The 18 stitches have been used by Madeiran women for over 250 years with virtually no modifications to materials or methods.

The embroidresses are paid for their work based on the difficulty of the stitch and the number of stitches per embroidered piece. Young embroidresses learn the easier stitches such as Granitos from their mothers or in the government fun embroidery school.

The linens exhibited in this gallery were made in Madeira from 1933-1980 by Marghab Linens Ltd. co-founded by Emile and Vera Way Marghab.

Images of Place: Paintings and Poems Gary Steinley & David Evans
COMING SOON

While professors at South Dakota State University, Dave Evans, South Dakota's poet laureate, and Gary Steinley, South Dakota landscape painter, have long enjoyed one another's work. In 2003 they co-taught a weeklong workshop "Celebrating Rural Life through Painting and Writing". Thus began Images of Place: Paintings and Poems. Steinley's paintings are literally 'images of places' in South Dakota. Dave Evans then used these paintings as "virtual landscapes," writing a poem inspired by the painting and incorporating his own memories of what he has experienced and read. His poems are the result of his interaction between painting and a memory.

Harvey Dunn: What Lies Beneath
COMING SOON

It was not uncommon for Harvey Dunn of his contemporaries to re-use canvases. Most of his paintings and illustrations in the SDAM collection do, in fact, have multiple paintings; one on top of the other! Through modern science X-radiology and original markings on the canvas/frames, conservators and curators will be able to document and identify the first painting placed on the canvas.

Volunteers Carole Johnson and Sue Grant are heading a research project to inventory original periodicals and publication tear sheets that include articles with Dunn's illustrations. X-radiographs will be included in the exhibit along with the original periodicals and other information regarding this exciting (and ongoing) research project.

Art of the Basket: Native American Baskets from SDAM collection
COMING SOON

The Art of the Basket consists of items from the SDAM collection. The exhibit will be co-curated by museum staff and the Thursday Thinkers research volunteer group. Basketry has been part of Native American cultures for centuries. Grasses, bark, roots, ferns, and twigs have been transformed into works of art. The variety of methods and materials used for basketry is like most Native American art. Different tribes use different materials, techniques, and shapes, often times determined by the availability of natural resources and intended use. The artistry of the makers is illustrated in the shape, texture, design, and creativity evidenced in each basket.

Governor's Biannual Exhibition
COMING SOON