Michael Aasness with Now and Then
We love seeing what our midwest nice artists are up to! We’re excited to share solo exhibition, Now and Then, with work by Michael Aasness at Ritz Gallery on the South Dakota State University campus ✨ Michael was featured in our nice;01 exhibition.
About the show:
The SDSU School of Design is pleased to announce its new alumni gallery exhibit “Now and Then” displayed in the Ritz Gallery in Grove Hall on the campus of South Dakota State University. The solo exhibition features the work of art educator Michael Aasness, who is the 6-12 Art Instructor at Sioux Valley School District in Volga, SD.
Artwork will be on display from Dec. 9, 2024- Jan. 17, 2025. An opening reception is planned for Monday, December 9, from 4- 6 pm, with artist remarks at 5 pm. The solo exhibition features a wide range of artworks, including paintings, mixed media, sculptures, pottery, and a gallery process wall. The Ritz Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Michael Aasness is a 2017 graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education and Painting Certificate. Michael has been the 6-12 Art Instructor for Sioux Valley School District since 2017, and is currently in his eighth year teaching. In the 2020- 2021 school year, Michael was named "Teacher of the Year" for Sioux Valley School District, and was nominated for South Dakota Art Educator of the Year.
As an artist, Michael continues to exhibit his artwork professionally throughout the Midwest. This includes a number of solo and group exhibitions throughout his career. The alumni exhibition “Now and Then” follows up his most recent show “TEACH” held at this past fall at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in New York Mills, MN, which featured the work of art educators Michael Aasness, Peder Butenhoff, with a nod to Jim Borgreen.
"I am honored and thankful to share my artwork in an alumni solo exhibition at my alma mater- SDSU. Throughout my teaching career I have continued to create artwork and exhibit my work professionally, always continuing to learn and grow in my craft. The artworks displayed in the exhibition “Now and Then” features artwork created throughout my teaching career, and reflects various imagery around me including memories, objects, landscapes, and different perspectives.”
An opening reception is planned for Monday, December 9, from 4- 6 pm, with artist remarks at 5 pm. The Ritz Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The gallery is closed on weekends, state holidays, and during SDSU's winter break: Dec 19-Jan 12. M-F gallery hours resume with the start of the spring semester on Jan 13, 2025.