Student art goes to state legislators

posted on February 8, 2012

Three Red Cloud High School students have had their artwork selected by the group "South Dakotans for the Arts" for the South Dakota Children’s Capitol Art Show. The three students – Amanda Standing Bear, Caroline Stadnick, and Marisa Snider – created images which the SDA will emblazon on tote bags. These bags will then be given to state representatives Kevin Killer, Ed Iron Cloud, and Jim Bradford. The art show is an annual tradition in the state capitol of Pierre, and the arts organization selects one image for each state representative so that each receives a tote.

Art teacher Leah Maltbie, now in her fifth year at Red Cloud High School, was responsible for selecting which student pieces would be submitted for consideration. She said, “This show is a great opportunity to advocate for the arts by pairing up our student artwork with our local legislators. These days, with the arts facing budget cuts, this show serves as a visual representation of how important the arts are.” Red Cloud senior Caroline Stadnick was excited to hear about the selection of her piece. In describing her painting, created using watercolors and acrylic, she said, “I painted this woman because I like to show the good sides of Native women, protecting their traditions and beliefs.” Stadnick says that while art is very important to her, she hopes to pursue a career as a linguist, having already mastered multiple languages.

The South Dakota Arts Council partners with the National Endowment for the Arts and the state of South Dakota to provide funds for grants to artists, arts organizations, community arts projects, traditional arts apprenticeships, and community symphonies and orchestras. The Capitol Art Show is considered one of their most important advocacy programs for arts education in South Dakota. In addition, the SDAC provides the state with the Artists in Schools and Communities arts residency program and a Touring Arts program. Red Cloud Indian School has been awarded funds through SDAC for past and current initiatives in the schools and the Heritage Center.

The artwork that the students made, can be viewed at the following links, and copies of the official tote bags can also be obtained here:

http://www.cafepress.com/sdarts.614650440 (Amanda Standing Bear, grade 11)

http://www.cafepress.com/sdarts.614650439 (Caroline Stadnick, grade 12)

http://www.cafepress.com/sdarts.614650438 (Marisa Snider, grade 12)