The Dahl Arts Center finished 2011 with a budget deficit, but new administrator Deborah Gangloff hopes to change all that red to black in her first year.

"Everybody knows that we are in difficult economic times, and the mood in the country seems to be grim, but I don't feel that way," said Gangloff, who will also be executive director of the Rapid City Arts Council. "I'm very optimistic."

The Dahl finished 2009 with an $80,000 deficit because of increased operating costs at the new, bigger building. Gangloff said there is still a deficit, though interim director Pepper Massey and the Arts Council board have reduced it.

Gangloff hopes the Dahl can open a gift shop and bring in more visitors in the coming year. She also wants to begin a mentoring program for young artists and encourage other artists in the area as the Rapid City Arts Council and the Dahl transition from building mode to sustain the new building, which opened in January 2009.

Gangloff takes over Jan. 2 and is looking forward to her new role. She said the arts seem to be flourishing in spite of economic setbacks.

"I feel there's a real optimism that hopefully we can continue to grow," she said. "I'm really jazzed about the future and what we can do in Rapid City, especially together." - story by Ruth Moon, photo by Ryan Soderlin

Watch a video interview with Deborah Gangloff

Bringing art and people together to strengthen community became more than a Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) mission statement today when the FAW Crew (a group of graffiti artists) and Black Hills Harley-Davidson presented a check for $2,000 to WAVI.

In March, Al Rieman, owner of Black Hills Harley-Davidson, approached RCAC interim executive director Pepper Massey with the idea of dressing up his shop with art. A large blank wall in the Harley dealership's lower level presented a perfect canvas and Al’s idea was to make it look interesting, like Art Ally.

Dahl Arts Center’s curator Mary Maxon had been working with Siamese, spokesperson for the FAW Crew, who do much of their work in Art Alley, to see if they were interested in the Harley project. Siamese contacted colleagues Demo, 2Tone, Lanes, and Close, who agreed to let their creative juices flow.

“We were pleased to work on a project like this for a company like Harley-Davidson,” said Siamese. “They are a true icon of the American dream. When forward thinking businesses provide opportunities like this, they are supporting their local arts community, and that's a very honorable thing.”

Once the project was completed, the FAW Crew requested that Al give their commission check to WAVI rather than to the artists. By donating their commission the FAW Crew hoped to accomplish two things: help dispel some of the preconceived notions that graffiti artists are vandals or thugs with no consideration for their communities; and inspire people to find a way to use to use their skill and passion to enrich the communities they live in.

“We are people with a deep and rich culture. We love graffiti,” stated Siamese. “It also happens to be very marketable. If people are willing to pay us to do what we love, why wouldn't we use that money to help others? When we heard about WAVI, it was a done deal. To support a service that helps women and their children get away from difficult, and often dangerous situations, is a great feeling. Thanks to WAVI for the work they do.”

Siamese also thanked the RCAC. “They are Rapid City's cultural back bone. Without them, this wouldn't have come to fruition.”