From the SculptureWalk, Arc of Dreams and other offerings in Sioux Falls to the 60-foot bull’s head at Porter Sculpture Park outside of Montrose and the National Music Museum in Vermillion, one-of-a-kind art awaits your discovery across the southeast leg of the South Dakota Arts & Sculpture Trail. Start with these featured stops, then discover more great places by exploring the grid below.
Sioux Falls
1. SculptureWalk
South Dakota’s biggest city takes art seriously. That’s why Sioux Falls' SculptureWalk has exhibited more than 836 sculptures from local and international artists since 2004. The collection of sculptures in downtown Sioux Falls is refreshed every spring, with around 80 new sculptures added every year — making visitation an annual event for art enthusiasts from around the world. As you peruse the sculptures, don’t be surprised if you’re drawn into some of the many shopping, culinary and craft brewery options throughout the city!
48 Hours Exploring the Arts in Sioux Falls
2. Washington Pavilion
Just a block off Phillips Avenue, downtown Sioux Falls’ main thoroughfare, is the Visual Arts Center at Washington Pavilion. Home to exhibitions of leading regional, national and international artists, the center’s eight galleries showcase works ranging from noted South Dakota artists to Andy Warhol and Rodin.
3. Shaine Schroeder Sculptures
While you’re downtown, don’t miss the work of Shaine Schroeder. This award-winning visual artist — who lived and traveled around the country before resettling in his hometown of Sioux Falls — created the gigantic mural at PAve restaurant (130 S. Phillips Ave.), the confetti mural (400 S. 2nd Ave.) and the massive art display in the back patio of M.B. Haskett Delicatessen (324 S. Phillips Ave.).
4. Arc of Dreams
Installed in 2019, Arc of Dreams is a 70-foot-tall, 300-foot-long stainless steel sculpture that spans the Big Sioux River in downtown Sioux Falls. The center of the arc has a 15-foot gap at its highest point above the river, representing the leap of faith dreamers must take to see their dreams become reality. Plenty of artists have taken that metaphorical leap, resulting in sculptures and other art that can be found throughout the city commonly referred to as “The Heart of America.”
Unsurprisingly, that’s not all of the amazing places to experience art in Sioux Falls. Creativity is alive and well at the EastBank Art Gallery (401 E. 8th St.), Post Pilgrim Gallery (2121 E. 10th St.), Ipso Gallery at Fresh Produce (400 N. Main Ave., Ste. 100), and the Center for Western Studies (2121 S. Summit Ave.) and Eide/Dalrymple Gallery (2001 S. Summit Ave.), both on the Augustana University campus.
Vermillion
As the home of the University of South Dakota, Vermillion has seen countless artists hone their craft and pursue their dreams. Embrace that creative spirit by wandering the USD campus and Vermillion’s downtown to encounter statues of legendary figures (William Shakespeare, Doc Farber), celebrations of spirit (“Moon Dance,” “Dove Spirit”) and a detailed representation of the university’s mascot, the coyote (“Legacy”). Visitors are sure to find many reasons to #LOVermillion as they explore beautiful parks, historic sites, and artistic hubs and venues.
Experience the history of musical instruments at the world-renowned National Music Museum. See art and history intertwine at the Oscar Howe Gallery in Old Main on the USD campus, the W.H. Over Museum or at the annual South Dakota Shakespeare Festival.
As you explore Vermillion’s charming downtown, keep an eye out for the Vermillion Community Mural Project on the east side of 10 E. Main St.; “Missouri Weave” by artist Dick Termes on the west side of 2 E. Main St., or the Untitled Rick Johns mural on the north side of 5 S. Market St.
Yankton
Yankton’s location along the mighty Missouri River led to the creation of the RiverWalk, a collection of outdoor sculptures in the city’s Meridian District. The sculptures in downtown Yankton and on the Meridian Bridge Plaza celebrate history, nature, spirituality and the innocence of childhood. Take in the RiverWalk’s artistic excellence before experiencing the beauty of the Missouri River and nearby Lewis and Clark Lake as well as exciting recreational, dining and cultural surprises along the way.
More great art stops in southeast South Dakota:
- An essential roadside attraction, The World's Only Corn Palace towers above the small town of Mitchell, showcasing annually changing murals made of corn and grains.
- Between Sioux Falls and Mitchell, keep your eyes open for the larger-than-life animals rising from the prairie at Porter Sculpture Park in Montrose.
Art & Museums in the Southeast Region
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