New archives photo exhibit opening at Cultural Heritage Center

PIERRE, S.D. — A new photo exhibit featuring South Dakotans at work will open at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre on Friday, April 8.

The exhibit, called “South Dakota Works,” will be open through April 26 and will feature 44 photographs from the South Dakota State Historical Society-Archives collections. The images are part of the State Archives Photo Digitization Project.

“The project has been underway since 2007 and in that time we have digitized and cataloged over 11,000 images,” stated Chelle Somsen, State Archivist.

The Photo Digitization Project is an initiative to make the photographic collections more accessible via the web, to decrease handling of the original photographs, and to improve the catalog records for each of the photos, according to Somsen. Those seeking to donate photographs to the archives or to sponsor a collection can contact the state archives at (605) 773-3804.

The exhibit grand opening will be held on Friday, April 8, from 4-6 p.m. CDT and will feature a 5:15 p.m. presentation by Chad Coppess, the senior photographer with the Department of Tourism. He will describe the changes in photography in the last 20 years, specifically digital photography. Bremser Photography, Bridgette M Photography, and Images by Erin will also be available.

Visitors are welcome to come and see the exhibit and visit with the vendors about any upcoming activities they might have that could involve a professional photographer, such as weddings, graduation, etc. Refreshments will be served and there will be free admission to the galleries during the reception.

For more information see http://history.sd.gov/archives or call (605)773-3804.

– From a State Historical Society news release