The sixth year of the Aberdeen Downtown Art Project recently announced its top prize winners. The Project is a collaboration between the Aberdeen Area Community Foundation (AACF), the Aberdeen Area Arts Council and the Knight Aberdeen Fund of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Ten artworks were installed on ten business windows in downtown Aberdeen. They were chosen from dozens of submissions to a Call for Art with a theme of “People & Places.” A judging panel selected the artworks to be displayed.
At an artist reception in June, the winners of the prizes were awarded as follows:
- First Prize: Lance Smith, Dance of Bliss, Northeastern Mental Health Center, 14 S Main Street
- Second Prize: Elizabeth Kaan, Lasting Legacy, Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, 516 S Main Street
- Third Prize: Connie Gisi, Julip, Brown County Health, 402 S Main St
Out of more than 340 votes for the People’s Choice Award, two artists received the same number of votes, accounting for nearly half of the total. The winners were: Bethe Martian, Connected, Capitol Theatre, 415 S Main St., and Lance Smith, Dance of Bliss, Northeastern Mental Health Center, 14 S Main Street.
The other artists whose work is featured are Madison Aguirre, Amber Couch Dallmann, Connie Gisi (two works selected), Mark S. Hedges, Emily Jensen, and Heqiang Lin. Artworks may also be found at the Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau, Anytime Fitness (2), Shoe Science, Sears Lofts, and Sweat Zone.
Receiving third prize was Connie Gisi (center). She is flanked by Lindsey Swenson (AACF), Grace Chipman (AAAC),Jay Hopkins-Entzel and Jessica Holscher (both AACC).
Aberdeen Area Arts Council Executive Director Grace Chipman oversaw the solicitation of art proposals and judging. The AACF received a grant from the Knight Aberdeen Fund for the project. The purpose of the project is to beautify downtown with local art.
Project judges included Maray Larson, Rachel Rabenberg, and Justine Kober.
The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce and Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau also support the Downtown Art Project.
About the Aberdeen Area Community Foundation
The Aberdeen Area Community Foundation was established in 1984 as a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a goal of creating a long-term funding source for charitable causes in the local area. With careful investment, the fund will continue to grow and enhance quality of life in the local area forever. This fund is one of 90 Community Savings Accounts in partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation. For more information, take a look around our website »
About the Aberdeen Area Arts Council
The Aberdeen Area Arts Council enriches community life through the arts by connecting, sponsoring, and encouraging art opportunities through education and experiences.
About the Knight Foundation Aberdeen Fund
In 2004, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation created the Knight Aberdeen Fund with the South Dakota Community Foundation to support Aberdeen. Funded with $2 million, it has made more than 80 grants totaling over $1.3 million to more than 50 area organizations.
About the South Dakota Community Foundation
SDCF is a public non-profit organization established in 1987. SDCF, with offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen administers 1,300 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed more than $40 million in grants in 2024 which made a tremendous difference in communities statewide. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors. If you have a specific cause you would like to support or would prefer to give for the general good of our state, please visit https://sdcommunityfoundation.org/giving to learn more or call 1-800-888-1842.