Workshops & Special Events
Our workshops are taught and moderated by esteemed presenters. These workshops and other special opportunities are a draw for experienced and novice artists alike. See descriptions below. These offerings are all optional and are offered at no charge to the participants.
Schedule is subject to change, please contact us to ensure offerings.
Group Painting en plain air
Thursday evening, August 7
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5-6:30: Meet and greet! Join friends and fellow artists at the Kingsbury County Country Club for dinner/drinks (on your own).
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6:30 PM: Afterwards, head out as one large group or several small groups for some fun painting together at site of your choosing!
Quick Draw
Friday, August 8, (7:45) 8 - 10 AM. Arrive 15 minutes early for final instructions.
Pre-registration encouraged.
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Pre-register on line when you register for the 2025 Plein Air Paint-Out or just email Janae at harveydunnsociety@gmail.com.
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Meet at the Masonic Lodge - south end of main street (Calumet Ave). Quick Draw painting to take place along main street or within a couple of blocks.
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Gathering: Bring everything you'll need to our gathering spot at the Masonic Lodge where your canvas or sketch paper will be stamped and final instructions given.
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Painting will begin with the sound of the airhorn and will end with everyone's return to our starting spot at 10 AM. Works should be ready to hang when turned in at that time.
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Display: Completed works will be on public display through Saturday afternoon and then Event Center on Sunday.
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Wet Sale and Awards: There will be a separate display of all works created at the Quick Draw at the De Smet Event Center. A Quick Draw award (with cash prize) will be voted on by all attending the wet sale. All artists wishing to sell their work should have this priced by the start of the wet sale.
Copyist Event
Sponsored by the South Dakota Art Museum
Friday, August 8 with 2 separate opportunities available:
9AM- 12:30 PM OR 12:30 to 4.
During our Plein Air event the SDAM has an exhibit of all the works from the original 1950 Harvey Dunn De Smet Masonic Lodge exhibition. What an opportunity to see this collection and perhaps try your hand at "copying" some of the master's work!
Pre-registration through the museum is MANDATORY!
Call or
The museum Copyist Guidelines linked here should be reviewed ahead of time please.
As these works are not created en plein air, they will not be eligible for the awards at the Sunday wet show.
*NOTE: The museum will be holding a public reception on this same date from 5:30-7:30 in celebration of the Founder's Exhibit. All are welcome!
SDAM Reception
Sponsored by the South Dakota Art Museum
Friday, August 8, 5:30-7:30 PM
The South Dakota Art Museum on the campus of SDSU in Brookings will be hosting a public reception to celebrate their Founding Gifts including some of their vast collection of the works of Harvey Dunn. In honor of the 75th anniversary of their gift from Harvey Dunn, they have a display mimicking the 1950 De Smet Masonic Lodge exhibition. Dunn, an alumnus of SDSU (then college) gifted all but 3 of the works from that premier South Dakota showing. All works have been reunited for this unique display which is a must see for all those who admire the works of this masterful painter!
Outstanding exhibit! Please consider adding this to your weekend agenda
Youth Workshop
Instructor: Rachel Funk
When: Saturday August 9 from 9-10. Registration limited to 12.
If demand high, a 2nd workshop will be held: 10:30-11:30.
Site: Meet on the grounds of the Masonic Lodge in De Smet.
In event of inclement weather, please check Facebook updates.
Our ever-popular Kids' Workshop is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on young artists!
Ages 6-14 are welcome.
FREE. All materials will be provided.
Artist Demonstration: Pastel Painting
Painting the Sky - in honor of Harvey Dunn!
Artist Leader: Christine May (Cernetisch)
Saturday August 9 at 10 AM
Site: Meet on the grounds of the Masonic Lodge in De Smet.
In event of inclement weather, please check Facebook updates.
Demonstration on artistic technique geared for adult artist participants.
FREE. No preregistration required.
75th Anniversary
Community Celebration
Open exhibit: August 7-9, 8-5
Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 9 1-3 PM
Hosted by: Board of the Harvey Dunn Society
Location: De Smet Masonic Lodge
We are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 1950 South Dakota Dunn exhibit that took place in 1950 in De Smet at the Masonic Lodge. There will be a free display open to the public at the Masonic Lodge commemorating this remarkable event running August 7-9, from 8-5 on those days.
Come see reproductions of his original art that hung there 75 years ago along with stories and memorabilia of that amazing time.
A community open house and ice cream social will be held on Saturday, August 9 from 1-3 in special celebration of this anniversary. We may even have some fiddlers to pump up the party! Come join us!
Photograph of Harvey Dunn (bottom right), signing a handwritten note bequeathing this 1950 display of his works to his alma mater.
Saturday evening gathering & meal
Hosted by the Board of the Harvey Dunn Society
On the porch of the Ingalls Homestead, 6 PM
Free for all registered artists. Guests may contribute to the free will offering.
Fiddlers will be there to round out the good cheer of this ever popular good time!
Wet Sale & Awards
Sunday, August 10
De Smet Event Center
9AM: Artists can start showing up to set up their "booth" Bring your own easels/display boards. Breakfast for purchase will be available.
11-2: Open to the public. Voting by public and artists for awards.
2 PM: Awards presentation
2025 Workshop & Demo Presenters
Presenters each have years of experience and expertise in the art of Plein Air. This year's presenters also have knowledge and history painting in the unique landscape offered at the Harvey Dunn Painting on the Prairie. Be prepared to come eager and leave inspired after a session with any of these talented artists!
Rachel Funk
Rachel Funk will be instructing our very popular youth workshop this year. She is a working artist and comes to us with a lot of teaching experience as well. She is currently the director of the Brookings Arts Council
