We’ve almost made it through January – and the future is looking bright with upcoming arts opportunities. The Watertown Current looks forward to featuring community cultural events and individual accolades each week. Keep on sharing!
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Watertown High School art teacher Noelle Vainikka has a new solo art show called “Impulse” on display in Madison at the Mundt Library on the Dakota State University campus. “Impulse” is an exhibition about spontaneity and the psychological effect that advertising and marketing have on our consumer habits. With her use of color, pattern, and materials, Vainikka’s work explores and documents the (sometimes dark) humor and joy of everyday life. She observes how we shop and consume the almost endless products available to us.
Her advice to others interested in creating art is to not be intimidated by expensive tools or supplies. “Art can be made with anything,” Vainikka said of her process. “Don’t let the high price of the most expensive oil paint stop you from painting. You can do a lot with a ream of printer paper and a pencil or Sharpie and crayons.”
“Impulse” is on display now through March 20, with a closing reception date to be announced.
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Meet up with fellow photographers at the Watertown Camera Club, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Lake Area Tech’s Archway building, Room 1202. This month’s theme will be “blue.” Meetings are open to all interested in cameras and photography.
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The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will again perform at the Goss Opera House in downtown Watertown.
Looking ahead, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, April 11, in the Reliabank Theater at the Goss Opera House. Music Director Delta David Gier, who is known for engaging communities through classical music, is also a champion of living composers. Individual tickets (ranging from $30 to $55) are available online at www.thegossoperahouse.com or can be purchased at Maud’s Mercantile, located in the Goss Opera House.
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Nancy Hausman
Two local artists will have winning paintings displayed during the Dakota MasterWorks Art Show this week at the South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA) Legislative Reception in Pierre. Nancy Hausman of Estelline earned both first and second place in the Acrylic Painting category with “Gorgeous George” and “I Love a Rainy Night.” Doris Symens Armstrong of Watertown placed first for her oil painting, “Sleepy Time on the River” and third place for her pastel work, “Sunshine on My Shoulders.” The juried 2024 MasterWorks Art Show (coordinated by SDHCA) features works created by artists who are 60 years and older. The competition attracted more than 150 entries from around the state.
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Feeling a little “cabin fever?” Maybe it’s time to get out of the house and work on a super-sized puzzle! The Watertown Regional Library (160 Sixth St. NE) invites folks to stop by and spend some time on its community puzzle, located near the newspapers and magazines.
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“The Star Show,” a special edition of Arts Night at the Pub featuring visual and literary art works by multiple area artists and authors, will open at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, at Dempsey’s ATY, located at the Watertown Regional Airport. Information on submitting works of art for the show can be found at www.northernprariearts.org.
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A Songwriter Roundup is set for April 11-13 at Buffalo Ridge Resort in Gary, S.D. Participants will learn from Nashville songwriters Jan Buckingham and Joseph Wandass. The weekend event, hosted by Nashville recording artist Gina Powers, offers local writers a chance to collaborate with fellow creatives and write songs. For more information, or to register, go to: https://buffaloridgeresort.com/songwriter-weekend-clinic.
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Lawrence Diggs
The “Electronic Poetry Garden” meets online at 8 p.m. each Thursday, giving area poets an opportunity to share their work and talk about the world of poetry. New participants can email coordinator Lawrence Diggs at public@Ldiggs.com to receive login information. All are welcome.
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A free screening of “Free for All: The Public Library,” followed by a community discussion, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Community Room of the Watertown Regional Library. This documentary tells the story of the pioneers who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to everyone. All are welcome to attend.
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“Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.” – Anni Albers
(Twila Schmitt writes to keep you up-to-date with arts opportunities in and around Watertown. Have a suggestion? Want an item included in the next column? Email twilaschmitt@gmail.com.)