Simplified: The city this week celebrated the opening of the Carver Gallery, a free, public art gallery featuring exclusively local Sioux Falls artists. Here's what you need to know about how it all came together.

Why it matters

  • More accessible public art is one of many goals outlined in a recently approved citywide arts and culture master plan, and Arts Coordinator Maren Engel said the Carver Gallery checks a few boxes in the plan – namely, supporting local artists and creating free ways for the public to experience art.
  • Mayor Paul TenHaken initially opened the gallery, named after Sioux Falls art advocate Charlotte Carver, in 2019. But, in part due to the pandemic, it fell to the back burner until recently, Engel said.
  • Now, though, the art on display in the Carver Gallery will be updated every six months featuring Sioux Falls artists. The first display features 12 local artists across a variety of mediums, including Caitlin Pisha, who said she's honored to be participating in a gallery celebrating Carver and her contributions to the local arts community.
"I was so excited when I saw this call for art, especially with the plan to purchase pieces for the City's collection," Pisha said. "It shows that the City cares about artists and sees the value of what we do."

Tell me more

The inaugural exhibition was selected by a jury including Carver's daughter, Catherine Carver Dunn, also a prominent name in the arts world.

  • That jury also selected one winning piece, "Lighthouse" by Breanna Fischer. The city will purchase that piece and add it to its growing collection of artworks.

Another aspect of the Carver Gallery is the People's Choice Award. Anyone can vote online for their favorite piece in the gallery, and the winning artist will get to share more of their work in a solo exhibition in the gallery this winter.

  • The city will also purchase the winning piece for its collection to display in other public buildings around town.

What happens next?

Voting for People's Choice will be open throughout the summer. The Carver Gallery is open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the gallery spans the first floor of City Hall.