The Department of Public Transformation (DoPT), Dakota Wicohan, and Racing Magpie collaborated to co-design the Dakota Community Artist-in-Residence (CAIR) program — a pilot project supporting artist-led solutions to community challenges impacting the Upper and Lower Sioux Communities during the COVID-19 crisis. For the pilot Dakota CAIR program, three Dakota artists based in the 18-county Southwestern Mnisota region, Pezihutazizi Oyate (Upper Sioux Community) and Cansa’yapi (Lower Sioux Indian Community) were selected to work for two weeks “at-home” to utilize their artistic practice to design and implement a creative project addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on their community.

The SMAC Gallery is honored to share the artwork from this residency involving Fern Cloud, Talon Cavender-Wilson and Lisa Nez, plus some additional works from the artists.

The SMAC Gallery will be open to limited visitors following the Governor’s orders. If you would like to see this exhibit in person by appointment: email info@swmnarts.org.

*Plan to visit this exhibit virtually: See the link above to experience the entire showcase and talk with the artists*

The Dakota City Artist in Residence project was co-designed by Dakota Wicohan, Racing Magpie, and the Department of Public Transformation, with support from the Southwest Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (SWRSDP) and with a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council made possible by the voters of Minnesota, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.