A South Dakota Celebration: Oscar Howe, Art, and the Corn Palace 

In celebration of Native American Heritage, our 7th and High School art classes undertook a special project centered on the life and monumental work of Oscar Howe (1915–1983). As a distinguished member of the Yanktonai Dakota tribe and a native of South Dakota, his contributions hold particular significance for us here. Students studied his distinctive, dynamic artistic style and learned about his direct connection to the famous Mitchell Corn Palace. We discovered that Howe created designs for the Corn Palace exterior, prompting us to explore the history of this unique agricultural structure. Inspired by this local landmark and Howe's use of local themes, students then created their own unique mosaics. These art projects were directly inspired by the Corn Palace and were crafted using a tactile palette of different agricultural seeds, including various types of corn, sunflower seeds, peas, and wheat, allowing students to connect with local heritage while experimenting with texture and design.