HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS

Billboard campaign displays art of local creatives

Story by Katie Hunhoff

LADY BIRD JOHNSON famously tried to ban billboards along highways with the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. “Ugliness is so grim,” she said. “A little beauty, something that is lovely, I think, can help create harmony which will lessen tensions.”

Although Johnson had qualms about outdoor marketing, she might have loved Arts South Dakota’s “Home is Where the Art Is” campaign, which displays works from 12 artists on large billboards. Arts South Dakota began by collaborating with arts councils who wanted to be involved and were members of Arts South Dakota. Each council’s team invited local artists to submit ideas. Once images were selected, Arts South Dakota then placed the billboards within each community. Sprinkled through the pages of this magazine are the works of the chosen 12 artists.

Shari Kosel, Arts South Dakota’s Program and Communications Director, spearheaded the project. “In this season of political billboards we thought it was refreshing to see art along the roadways.”

Even Lady Bird would agree.

ARTS COUNCILS PROMOTE AND CELEBRATE LOCAL ART WHILE ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING THEIR CREATIVE CITIZENS.” — Jim Speirs