The Oscar Howe Art Institute, a two-week intensive art workshop, was initiated by Yanktonais artist Oscar Howe in 1960 early in his 25-year career as a USD faculty member. Howe is widely recognized as one of the leading Indian artists of his generation and continues to serve as an inspiration to aspiring Northern Plains artists today. For the past 18 years, the Howe Institute has hosted between 12 and 15 students to study Howe’s legacy and to expand their own artistic vision under the instruction of a staff of professional artists. The featured artists-in-residence for the 2008 Oscar Howe Institute included Donald Montileaux and Roger Broer, both nationally noted Indian artists.

According to Cory Knedler, chair of the USD Department of Art, participation in the Institute is highly selective and all students attend on full scholarships. He says participants work on a variety of skills with guidance from instructors, including drawing, cultural studies and intensive studio sessions.

"The students are highly productive and by the end of the two-week session, the students have produced many beautiful and expressive works," Knedler stated. "The closing exhibition offers the community an opportunity to meet the students, and to view the art they have created. At that time, many of the works are available for purchase affording the public a chance to acquire original artwork by young and promising artists."

For addition information about the closing exhibition and sale, please contact John A. Day, director of The University of South Dakota Art Galleries, at (605) 677-3177 or via e-mail at [email protected].

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