One of the ways ABH members receive exposure is through the annual summer membership shows. These have rotated through different locations through the span of the organization’ s lifetime, eventually landing at the Dahl Arts Center as the primary venue for the exhibition.
“ It’ s a great space, and we’ ve had great attendance. We’ re really happy to be associated with the Dahl, which is where our 20th exhibition is this year,” said Tim.
In addition to the annual membership show, the ABH has also had shows across the region. Artwork was solicited from members and then transported to the show locations.
“ We ' ve had them in Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, East River, Sioux Falls. We try to hit regional art venues so people can actually attend and see the artwork in person, rather than viewing them online. And that ' s been a large component of our outreach,” said Tim.
Beyond the exposure, Tim said he has met and made a number of friends through the group.
“ I ' ve gotten to know them very well through studio tours, where we ' ve gotten together in each other ' s studios for conversation and visiting with them at exhibitions, at show openings, phone conversations and email conversations. Just networking with my peers has probably been the most rewarding experience of my journey with ABH,” Tim said.
Over the years, between 100 and 120 artists have come and gone through the ABH organization.
“ I think the most amazing thing to me is that we ' ve been together as a nonprofit of individuals that work by themselves primarily. We have no paid staff, and everything has been on a volunteer basis. Our members are not paid for duties. Just to keep a group together like that for 20 years is quite amazing to me. We don ' t have a physical presence anywhere, no building or office or anything. This is all strictly volunteer artists that are making a living and trying to get their work out there. It ' s been just quite remarkable to hold it together for 20 years,” said Tim.
However, ABH is coming to an end at the conclusion of the grand finale show Sept. 20.
Like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the organization. Exhibition schedules paused, public gatherings for art were limited and meetings were discouraged.
“ That just kind of took the wind out of our sails for a while. It takes a while to recover from something like that, and again, other groups are having the same experience,” said Tim.
Another factor in the decision was the rapid changes in technology and the aging of members.
“ We ' re kind of aging out of it. It ' s always been difficult to get younger people involved. They have energy and certainly the technical expertise that we may not possess. So it ' s been hard to get younger members in to replenish older members as they age out or do not renew their membership. We were lucky to make it through the last five years, thanks to a small group of dedicated members that have kept it going,” Tim said. As a result, the AHB 20th Anniversary and Grand Finale Show serves as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the artists, the masterpieces that have been created and the friendships that have been formed.
For Tim, the show is an opportunity to visit with peers. He said,“ Now that the show is ending, we may not be in contact as much anymore as we used to. So I will miss that part of it. It ' s just an opportunity to again, talk with my betters and maybe learn a few things and just enforce my friendship with them.”
To make space for as many of the past and present members as possible, ABH reserved the Sen. Stan Adelstein and Lynda K. Clark Gallery at the Dahl Arts Center, which is the largest gallery.
Barbara said,“ ABH members showcase the talents of a large pool of professional artists who are local favorites, many artists are renowned regionally and nationally for creative accomplishments.”
Some of the popular members of ABH have included South Dakota artist laureate Dale Lamphere, creator of the Dignity of Earth and Sky sculpture overlooking the Missouri River near Chamberlain; James Van Nuys, John Lopez and Jim Maher, sculptors of the City of Presidents statues in Rapid City; Peggy Detmers, creator of the‘ Tatanka: Story of the Bison’ sculpture in Deadwood; Jerry Croft,“ Saddle Maker to the Stars” and Roger Broer, winner of the 2025 Governor’ s Awards in the Arts for Creative Achievement.
The artists participating in the grand finale show include Loy Allen, Jovann Armstrong, Bryan Bortnem, Steve Babbitt, Steve Barba, Nancy Bowman, Roger Broer, Helen Goodman Champ, Jon Crane, Carmen Dolan, Bonnie Hasley-Dutton, Bill Feterl, Denise Fox, Jim Green, Becky Grismer, Kevin Haller, Mick B. Harrison, Erica Harvey, Seth Harwood, Carol Hilgemann, Roy Kramlich, Amy Lehman, Dennis Linn, Deborah Mitchell, Don F. Montileaux, Sandra Newman, Eileen Nistler, Tim Peterson, James Pollock, Sarah Rogers, Jessie Rasche, Cristen J. Roghair, Steve Roselles, Barbara Kieffer Rowe, Dorothy Snowden, Desy Schoenewies, Kathy Sigle, Jan Sohl, Gary Steinley, Sandy Swallow Morgan, Thomas Thorson, Marion Toillion, Deb Wallenberg, Ildiko Wagoner and Roger Wagoner.
“ I would encourage people to come see the show to see some of the best artwork that ' s available in the Hills,” said Tim.
To learn more about ABH or the grand finale show, visit artistsoftheblackhills. com, facebook. com / Artists-of-the-Black- Hills or instagram. com / blackhillsartists. myblackshillscountry. com Down Country Roads
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