1985. Guache on Paper. 9 by 14 inches.

I participated in the Sioux Falls Sidewalk Arts Festival for only one year. I like the festival, am proud of its heritage, and am happy the Washington Pavilion keeps it alive year after year. However, since most of my work is done via commission or is donated, my art inventory is rarely large enough for display at festivals or galleries. But in 1985, when the Sidewalk Arts Festival was run by the Civic Fine Arts Center, I created several pieces to display at the Sidewalk Arts Festival. This piece was part of my collection. The Civic Fine Arts Center brought in Carl Grupp* as a judge, and he awarded a few blue ribbons to individual pieces appearing in the festival. To my surprise, this piece won a blue ribbon.

*Carl Grupp: visionary leader in South Dakota's art scene and one of the Midwest's preeminent artists and educators. In 1969 he began his career as an art professor with Augustana, where he helped to inspire, develop, and guide the careers of several generations of artists who have gone on to become major forces in South Dakota, the region, and beyond. He faithfully served as professor of art and Chair of the Art Department (1986-1995, 1996-2002) until his retirement in 2004. Carl participated in over 100 regional, national, and international art exhibitions, with dozens of one-man shows.