Guest Artists

Unless otherwise noted, all guest authors and artists programs will be found in the Arts & Ed Building.

Thursday, September 2

Barb Uhrig, Newell, SD
Dr./Chaplain Linda J. Johnson
Jean Patrick, Mitchell, SD
Kari Kay
Daily Writers Workshop

Featured Artist

Barb Uhrig, Newell, SD

9:00 am – 5:00 pm: One-of-a-kind hand sculpted art dolls
11:00 am and 3:00 pm: Western Art Fleece-Wool (Pure bread Cheviot Sheep) Program

Biography

Come step into the world of shepherdess and artist Barb Uhrig. Throughout her life Barb has been involved in art in various ways. Starting out with pencil drawings at the age of 3 she has went on to dabble in watercolors, pen and ink drawings, acrylic paintings on just about everything, hand tooled leather pictures and different leather accessories, one of a kind ceramic piece, different medias of sculptures and photography. She has even had a book of ranch poetry printed. Barb is a lover of the ranching way of life and after working on a ranch in Alzada, Montana off and on she realized this was the life and after marrying husband John, the couple found their home on the prairies of western South Dakota near the town of Newell. Here is where Barb’s inspiration is… her flock of purebred Cheviot Sheep. This one man shepherdess does it all, the vaccinating, sorting, lambing and even the shearing which she does by hand shears called blades. Another step back into time is when she takes the wool and spins it into yarn, then weaves rugs and table runners to go with her artwork. Since having her Cheviots, her artwork has taken a new turn and one she thinks will stay for a while. This is sculpting art dolls out of polymer claying and using the wool for hair and beards. The sculptures range from Santa Claus to shepherds, cowboys and Indians to whimsical ladies with hats. Barb also does all the costuming and assembling of the sculptures. This way the sculptures are truly one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Barb’s sculptures have found their way into many collectors’ homes from West Virginia and New York to Gillette and Salt lake City and various homes in between. Barb attends about four to five shows a year, some she has mixture of sculptures and other are only her Santa Claus dolls. Each sculpture may take from three days actual start to finish time and others take up to three months. In her spare time Barb can be found in her garden, sitting taking photos of her sheep and lambs or putting up hay. Barb is also on the board of the Newell Ram Show and Sale, and is the Chairman of the Fleece and Photo Show for the Ram Show. In the summer Barb is also seen at various county fairs as a 4-H poultry judge, which she has done for about 25 years.

Barb loves to have visitors come and her flock or to stop by a booth at a show and visit with her about her sculptures and the start to finish work that is involved in each. This summer her studio will finally have a new building to call home and she will be able to put her name door. Shepard’s Pride. A great name for an artist’s love for what she does.

Featured Author

Dr./Chaplain Linda J. Johnson

9:00 am – 5:00 pm: author of the book “Living in the Shadow of the Iraq Conflict"

This book is a memoir and covers her husband and son while they worked inside Iraq as a “force multipliers-military contractors” for the US Armed Forces as wheeled vehicle mechanics. (2005-2009)

2:00 pm: Memoirs and the Iraq War from a Family’s Perspective

Add the picture and photo of the book cover attached to the email

Biography

Linda is a South Dakota native and began a diary when her husband deployed to Iraq in Aug of 2005. They were living on the island of Kauai at the time, and that diary was the basis for her new book. They moved home to South Dakota during his deployment, and are now residing in Sioux Falls, the city they married in, 33 years ago!

The haunting truth about this story is that there is absolutely no support mechanism for the families of contractors. Oftentimes, families just create their own support groups to survive. Dr. Johnson is representing thousands of American contracting families by telling her family's story. Linda presents a challenge to the public to embrace these families and attempts to inform and educate from her perspective, one that is mainly hidden from America. The fact that over 90% of American contractors in the Middle East today are former military personnel ties the two communities together in a unique bond. Chaplain Johnson brings to the readership a book with the perspective of the families back home. Visit their website for more information on this very unique project. She will be available during the day for a question and answer and a presentation at 2:00pm.

Featured Children’s Author

Jean Patrick, Mitchell, SD

10:00 am: Face to Face with Mount Rushmore

To read and learn more about Jean Patrick, visit her website

Featured Children’s Author

Kari Kay

1:00-5:00 pm: Floppy Cat book signing and sales

Kari will bring to the fair Floppy Cat. Floppy Cat stories teach children to focus on our “can dos” instead of our “can’t dos” in life. Stories facilitate in giving children a “can do” attitude.

Floppy Cat Program: Time TBD

Biography

Kari Kay is a vivacious lover of life! Throughout her colorful life experiences as a success coach, author, entrepreneur, animal scientist, exercise physiologist, and mother, she has developed a unique ability to inspire and motivate people. Her energetic and insightful style teaches people how to bring out the best in themselves and others, and how to keep a positive spirit, no matter what the circumstances. Kari’s newest venture as a children’s author, inspired by one of her own personal pets, Floppy Cat, has created yet another vehicle for Kari to inspire children and adults to live their lives to the fullest. Floppy, her South Dakota farm cat, was born without any balance. But despite his serious challenges, he lived his life with a positive, never-give-up attitude, always looking for a fun and new adventure – just like Kari!