SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Sponsored by South Dakota Arts and Humanities Councils
Discussion Session “VETERANS in the ARTS”
Art Exhibit of Paintings by Christopher Sweeney
Thursday, April 27, 4 pm at the Journey Museum
Presented by: Christopher Sweeney
Actor Chris Sweeney, a lead character (playing Nerburn) in Neither Wolf Nor Dog is a Silver Star recipient and veteran of the Iraq war. He will discuss “Veterans in the Arts,” telling how his art (acting, painting, poetry) fosters healing when dealing with traumatic events. Paintings will be displayed at the Journey Museum and Learning Center and at Warrior’s Work & Ben West Gallery in Hill City.
Panel Discussion “RACE and CIVILITY”
Follows the Screening of Neither Wolf Nor Dog
Friday evening, April 28 at the Elks Theatre
Panel members: Dr. Kent Nerburn, Bev Warne, Charles White Buffalo
Moderator: Charles Abourezk
The book Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Dr. Kent Nerburn was adapted to film by filmmaker Steven Lewis Simpson and released this year. The author wanted to ensure that the film conveyed the emotional and spiritual truth of the original
novel, enhancing the message of how we learn about each other in a respectful way, tolerate differences without judging or demonizing, and learn to live together in a civil manner. A panel discussion on the topic “RACE AND CIVILITY” will follow the screening.
Dr. Kent Nerburn is an American author, sculptor, and educator, holds a PhD in both Theology and Art and has been deeply involved in Native American issues and education. He developed and directed an award-winning oral history project on the Red Lake Ojibwe reservation in northern Minnesota. He has published 16 books of creative non-fiction and essays, focusing on Native American and American culture and general spirituality. He won a Minnesota Book Award in 1995 for Neither Wolf Nor Dog and again in 2010 for The Wolf At Twilight. His newest book, The Girl Who Sang To The Buffalo, was released in November 2013.
Directing Panel For Filmmakers & General Audience
Sunday, April 30, 5:00 pm at MOVIES in the LOFT in Hill City
Presented by Deborah LaVine
Deborah LaVine is the Directing Program Co-Director and teacher at California Institute of the Arts (CALARTS). An award winning theater and film director, Deborah’s most recent work is Lost Music, a lyrical exploration of loss and memory featuring Barbara Bain and written by Dale Griffith Stamos. The film premiered at the Cinema at the Edge Film Festival, winning the Jury Prize for best short film. Other works include the short film, Prairie Sonata, which screened at the Moondance Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado winning the Spirit of the Festival and Audience Favorite awards there. It has also played the Reel Dakota Festival, The Newport Beach Film Festival, and the Black Hills Film Festival. Deborah’s feature titled Wild Prairie Rose, which was filmed in South Dakota, will play at the Black Hills Film Festival.