Introducing Art Alley
A new first-floor gallery space designed to highlight local artists in an open, accessible setting.
Reflections of the Season – A Holiday Art Show
A creative challenge for all local artists! Let’s fill the Art Alley space with different interpretations of what the holiday season means to you. An open invitation! Submit here. Deadline for delivery is November 20th.
Current Exhibit – Kellen Anderson – Alcohol Marker Illustrations
“Dakota Territory Illustrated”
My name is Kellen Anderson and I’m a 21-year-old artist from Watertown, South Dakota. I am mostly self-taught, but I have been guided by several close friends and attended college or Studio Art at Black Hills State University for two years. I live in Watertown with my boyfriend and two cats, where I draw inspiration from the world around me and online with my many friends from around the globe.
My alcohol marker illustrations create a sense of nostalgia that help communicate a relatable feel for topics that seem incredibly foreign at first. Exploring diverse themes such as LGBTQ+, race, and religion through a historical lens. I create characters that feel familiar to people that anyone would meet in real life, then show their journeys and allow others to put themselves in their shoes.
Using alcohol markers creates a soft, warm feel, reminiscent of vintage storybook illustrations. This warmth and familiarity allows my viewers to feel more comfortable viewing a subject that might otherwise be difficult to explore. I start with a loose colored pencil sketch, then go over the lines in ink pens while trying to maintain the alive, dynamic feeling, and complete the piece by coloring with my markers using painterly techniques, combining traditional illustration with classical artwork.
As a history enthusiast, I’m also constantly frustrated that the history of women, people of color, and LGBTQ people are often ignored and forgotten, and I hope that with my art I can shed light on them. We have so much to learn from the past and it can always apply to ourselves and how we treat others.
“Art Alley brings creativity into the everyday flow of our building,” said Jamie Mack, Executive Director of the Goss Opera House. “It’s about making art easy to discover and creating meaningful connections between artists and our community.”