Information for Artists
Registration info
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Register online (preferred) or in person at our 2025 home base site at the Masonic Lodge in De Smet
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Before painting stop by our home base to have your canvas/paper stamped by HDS Board member.
Wet Sale
The wet sale is held on Sunday at the De Smet Event Center starting at 11 AM with awards presented at the conclusion at 2 PM. Artists will have a couple of hours to set up before the public arrives. Table and 2 chairs will be in place for each registered participant. Artists should bring their own easels/display set up. A commission of 25% of all sales will go to the Harvey Dunn Society to help defray costs of this annual event. PayPal system to be utilized for transactions and board will handle state taxes.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, August 7
All Day (8-5): Registration and canvas stamping at Masonic Lodge. 6 PM: Group Plein Air painting opportunity.
Friday, August 8
All Day (8-5): Registration and canvas stamping at Masonic Lodge. 8-10 AM: Quick Draw event in downtown De Smet. Meet at the Masonic Lodge. 5-7 PM: All artists are invited to the SD Art Museum for a reception hosted by the museum celebrating the Harvey Dunn Founding Gifts - an exhibit curated to mimic the 1950 Dunn exhibition at the Masonic Lodge in De Smet. Museum address: 1036 Medary Ave, Brookings, SD
Saturday, August 9
8-4: Registration and canvas stamping at Masonic Lodge. 10-11 AM: Youth workshop. 2-4 PM: Community Open House celebrating the 75th anniversary of Harvey Dunn's premier prairie exhibition. 6 PM: Artists' Dinner on Homestead Porch hosted by Harvey Dunn Society Board. Fiddle music entertainment!
Sunday, August 10
8-10: Artists set up for Wet Sale at the Event Center. Table and two chairs will be provided. Please bring your own easel(s). 10-2: Wet sale open to public. 2 PM: Announcement of award winners.
Event Sites
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Ingalls Homestead
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De Smet Event Center
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De Smet Welcome Center
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De Smet Library
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Remembrance Gardens at
De Smet Cemetary
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Masonic Lodge
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Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society
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Kingsbury County Courthouse
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in this Plein Air event?
This paint out open to all ages and abilities.
Is this a juried art event? Are there awards?
This is not a juried event. People's Choice, Artist's Choice, and Quick draw art awards will be voted upon at the time of the wet sale. This includes entries of individuals 18 and older. Youth participants present for the wet sale are entered into a drawing for a prize.
How do I register?
You can register online here or anytime during the event up until Saturday morning at the porch of the Ingalls Homestead site.
Is there a charge for registration?
All are welcome to this free event. There is no registration fee!
How do I get my art work stamped?
Prior to starting your piece your canvas or paper (or whatever you choose for your surface) will need to be stamped with our event stamp from the current year. Just present to the Homestead porch where any board member can assist you in this.
What art is eligible for awards?
Only pieces stamped and created during this weekend event.
How does the wet sale work?
Artists set up their works in the Event Center. Any works created during this event can be sold. Additionally, artists are welcome to have available up to 6 additional pieces for sale. All items for sale must have a price clearly listed.
starting in 2024, all sales will be handled by the Harvey Dunn Society at the main desk utilizing a Pay Pal system. A 25% commission goes to the Harvey Dunn Society which goes towards helping defray event costs.
Who can come to the artists' welcome reception held on Friday night?
Registrants and their guests are all welcome and encouraged to come to this fun get-together. Appetizers and beverages will be available along with a heavy serving of laughter. Check out the event schedule as to where this will be held.
Is there a charge for the Saturday evening meal?
The Harvey Dunn Society Board is happy to host this meal free of charge to all participating artists. We enjoy the opportunity to spend time with folks that have been returning to this event for years as well as meeting new friends for which this is their first visit. We welcome friends and family members that are accompanying the registered artist though ask that that information be included upon registration and note that there will be a free will offering jar set out for donations to help cover food costs for these additional meal(s). Thank you!