Pictured Above: "Falls Park" by Hector Curriel
Crossing Horizons: The Contemporary Artwork of Hector Curriel and Juan Beltran
The Center for Western Studies is proud to present “Crossing Horizons: The Contemporary Artwork of Hector Curriel and Juan Beltran,” a vibrant exhibition celebrating creativity, culture, and connection.
Originally from Peru, Hector Curriel showcases twenty stunning pen and ink drawings on Masonite board. Working entirely in black and white, Curriel captures a wide range of subjects, including influential Native American leaders, South Dakota figures such as Joe Foss and George McGovern, prairie wildlife, tribal traditions, and the Sioux Falls skyline. His work highlights both the beauty and the stories that shape life on the Plains.
Juan Beltran, originally from El Salvador, brings a burst of color to the show with five acrylic paintings on canvas. Beltran’s work is full of energy and emotion. His bright colors and expressive style offer a beautiful contrast to Curriel’s detailed linework, creating a conversation between their two artistic worlds.
Together, these artists invite viewers to see how art can cross borders of geography, culture, and style while finding common ground through shared expression.
“Crossing Horizons” will be on display from Monday, October 14, through Thursday, February 27, in the Madsen, Nelson and Elmen Galleries of the Center’s Fantle Building at 2121 S. Summit Avenue in Sioux Falls. An artist reception will be held Wednesday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
The CWS has several display cases throughout the galleries that exhibit materials on a variety of changing themes. The current exhibits are:
Veterans on Campus: A Legacy of Support at Augustana
From the earliest days of World War II to the complex legacy of Vietnam, Augustana’s students, staff, and administration showed a consistent and active respect for military veterans. Exploring mid-century policy and support networks, this exhibit by intern Calli Radel turns focus to those students who arrived on campus having already answered the call to serve. Their presence changed the institution. And Augustana, in turn, rose to meet their needs.
Jennie Berdahl's Wedding Dress
Together with interpretive text by intern PattyJo English, the dress Jennie Berdahl wore when she married author Ole E. Rolvaag in 1908 is now on exhibit. Rolvaag and Berdahl met while students in the academy division of Augustana College in Canton, South Dakota, graduating in 1901 and 1903, respectively. Rolvaag continued his studies at St. Olaf College but maintained correspondence with Berdahl and proposed to her in 1903. For many years, the dress was displayed in the Berdahl-Rolvaag House, one of the buildings comprising Heritage Park, managed by the Nordland Heritage Foundation. The dress was one of several items CWS staff selected for transfer to the center’s collections when Heritage Park closed in 2022.
The Sioux Falls AAUW: Expanding Women's Opportunities
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a national organization focused on advancing gender equity through education and advocacy. From 1923-2020, the Sioux Falls branch worked to expand women's and children's opportunities locally. Members provided support that helped elect the first women to the city's school board, helped establish the state's first mental health center, and advocated for the expansion of public school facilities, among other accomplishments. As we approach the America250 celebration in 2026, this exhibit by intern Erica Carmody explores the group's work advocating for community action on behalf of women and children.
The World Comes to Campus: A History of International Students at Augustana
During the 2024-25 academic year, international students made up 10% of Augustana's student body. Hailing from 54 countries, they are part of a long tradition stretching back to the university's first Norwegian student in 1946. In honor of America's 250th anniversary, and the ideals of freedom and self-determination, this exhibit by CWS intern Amanda Schlampp highlights the history of international students on campus.
Roy Miller: The Journeys of a Barge Pilot
During a steamboat trip to the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, 11-year-old Roy Miller decided to become a barge pilot. He began learning under his uncle, famed steamboat pilot William "Steamboat Bill" Heckman, and after serving as an apprentice on the steamer Chester, was licensed in 1914. This display by intern Abby Mitchell explores Miller's 45-year career operating on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
