To break free from the winter blues, which were in full effect, I got out of the house to do some exploring. At the end of an evening of thrifting, a woman ringing us up suggested we check out the Sioux City Art Center. It didn't ring a bell right away. But as we pulled up, I remembered having drove past it a few times while on my drive abouts in Sioux City and thinking I needed to stop by.
The minimal exterior design of the building was a bit deceiving to the amount of visually stimulating work curated inside. The minute we walked in and were greeted by the lively receptionist, I knew it was going to be a fun and inspiring experience. Being in this space was priceless: we were surrounded by artwork, able to walk around this beautifully and naturally lit space. We took the time to marvel at the different materials and techniques of each piece.
As a visual artist, I tend to forget the importance of visiting creative centers and museums. I have gotten used to researching artwork online and experiencing it digitally. But there is something exceptional about viewing artwork face-to-face that the digital world is incapable of capturing. Being in a room with intricate drawings, vibrant paintings, and life-size sculptures invigorates my senses and sparks my ideas. From the stunning permanent collections to the current exhibitions, Youth Art Month Exhibition, and Art of the Brick, this center allows visitors to interact with the work. Art of the Brick was such a fun, engaging, tactile, and thought-provoking exhibit. My inner child was elated to see LEGO's come to life, as I explored every angle of the 360 view of each piece. I was also amazed at the attention to detail, color palette, and variety of curated work in the Youth Exhibit. These, both, are a MUST see!
Finding these spaces in and around South Dakota, makes me feel right at home. I know there is a creative community in the Midwest and I am on the hunt to soak it all up.
These experiences are a NECESSITY to keep my creative juices flowing, to experiment with materials, and to move past creative blocks.
I'm excited to begin sharing these mini posts with you all that feature places in and around South Dakota. It's fun to challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone and explore these places. I hope you all enjoy discovering these interesting places with me and begin to explore your own surroundings.
