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Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD

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Home Welcome To Art Alley - Rapid City, South Dakota Site
~Rapid City Info~ Located from 6th to 7th. St. between Saint Joseph and Main In Downtown Rapid City ~Black Hills Info~
Join the Myspace Black Hills Artists and Musicians Group - Click Here

YOU
are part of The Art! "It was like I was walking through a valley of color."
Jim Stevens

Jim Stevens does unusual and somewhat mind boggling art. His studio is upstairs in the Buell Building to the right in this picture.


Art Alley is an open air art galley in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. Anyone can paint on canvas or offer paper drawing to be placed on the alley walls. Murals are painted on some buildings with the owners permission.

" You Are Part of the Art " is the Art Alley theme extending into cyber space.
When you walk through the alley you become part of the Art Alley story. The pictures taken in Art Alley represent part of that story also. Not only do the walls of the alley fill the lens of most visitors but professional photographers take wedding, graduation, and other event pictures in the alley. People pose in the alley, They ham it up in the alley. They take pictures of their trucks and cars and vans and motorcycles and even their pets in the alley. Many of these are uploaded and shared.

" You Are Part of the Art " is the Art Alley theme extending into cyber space.
When you walk through the alley you become part of the Art Alley story. The pictures taken in Art Alley represent part of that story also. Not only do the walls of the alley fill the lens of most visitors but professional photographers take wedding, graduation, and other event pictures in the alley. People pose in the alley, They ham it up in the alley. They take pictures of their trucks and cars and vans and motorcycles and even their pets in the alley. Many of these are uploaded and shared.


Shawn, Mike, and Terry AKA Sugar Free Jazz Trio hanging in Art Alley

Suspects - Band in Art Alley
Blues
Will Waller: Keyboards,
Bernd Winkler: Bass,
Bob Fahey: Lead Guitar,
Jon Margolis: Drums,
Greg McDonald: Lead Guitar

Black Hills musicians that got thrown together to play a gig and decided to make it a Wed night "boys night out" which turned into an aclaimed local jazz/blues staple. So instead of bowling, they play music. Last world tour encompassed Spearfish, Deadwood, Sturgis, Piedmont, and Rapid City. No more international tours planned, but would be willing to consider one...

Art Alley friends are part of the art.


Derek:
"hey thanks for adding me. I helped paint the asphault part of it. Im glad i got to help contribute to it."
You being glad that you're a part of Art Alley is a feeling I think most of us have. Your contribution was way cool but even those that have never been to Art Alley can be proud to be a friend. It is being part of something that brings a lot of different people together. Thanks, Derek, you reminded me this is a great thing that is happening here.
19 years old
Whitewood, SD, South
Status: Single
Here for: Friends
Orientation: Straight
Hometown: Pierre
Body type: 6' 0"
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Children: Someday
Occupation: Full-Time Job

Art Alley doesn’t set in isolation. It is part of an art and music scene happening in downtown Rapid.

Art Alley is filled with attitudes and emotions. From hope to despair, love and hate, joy and pain and even some philosophy or bordem are on display as art, graffiti and "writings on the wall".

Alone

"This girl was crying into her notebook in art alley. I loved the look and I don't think she ever even noticed me."
by Las Vegas Danielle

Around Art Alley there are shops, restaurants, pubs, the presidents, plays and more. Art Alley might be the star but it is getting to be fun in downtown Rapid City.

You know what I want to remember? Good times in Art Alley.
AMUN ARTISTRY
Joe's a Pro
He is doing some nice work. I love the light on this piece. You just got to start looking at dumpsters a little harder. ;-) I spent some time walking Art Alley this afternoon and was very impressed with the art movement that is going through that block long alley. It's refreshing to see such work being presented in a public domain.
Needless to say, I took quite a few photographs of the varying pieces. I would love to help in any way to keep this alley full of amazing art by so many people. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. If that means some photos for flyers or anything you put out, let me know and I could see what I can do.
I have many more pictures, the 14 up now are just the beginning. I hope to do some more shooting soon as well.
Keep up the amazing work.
Joe
Alleys are more likely to retain historical evidence of changes than building fronts. Art Alley is surrounded by over 100 year old historical buildings. The alley displays its brick work, stairways, and infrastructure changes that have happened over the decades to the inquiring eye.

Idea: When your friends or relatives visit give them a tour of Art Alley. There's no other place like it.

The air was soft, the stars so fine, the promise of every cobbled alley so great that I thought I was in a dream. - Jack Kerouac


Art Alley's special Friends That Help
Todd Rigione and his girlfriend, Judy Looyenga, started Art Alley by painting pictures over graffiti on power poles. Todd's idea was brilliant. (Here's the backdoor into his huge Art Alley Canvases that he sells wholesale to studios as backdrops. These are so cool wall size pieces of art.)
Todd's Madcamp Background Art
The Loft
Todd's Bed & Breakfast off Art Alley You're right by all
the action and it is
perfect for a romantic get away.
Dennis of the Factory has done a lot of work in the alley, too. Besides his art (The backward fist and word "Revolution" are his) Dennis has helped lots of people mount their art. He's a rebel in a real cool sort of way. The Factory is the Myspace of downtown. There you're already part of the scene. The Factory Salon

Seen in Art Alley
Revolution
We Are All Dreaming
BORED
This Is Art Alley
Love
Stop Painting Over Other's Art
Because Its On
The Brass Rail Lounge
BOOM
Trust Your Desires
Indian Power
The Factory
This Serendipitous Exchange
Fists High We Sing Into the Night
The Music Lives
No Parking
Please Push This Button
Up, Up and Away
Forgive, Understand Not
Private
Welcome to Art Alley, Doc
Luci In The Sky With Diamons
Todd sees more than the art and the graffiti in Art Alley. He sees the Alley itself as a living piece of art. I have to agree with him. When I am in the Alley taking pictures, I promise, there is always something going on. Somebody's always doin' something in the alley.
Space is made up of corridors and alleys - John Buchan
I haven't been there fifteen minutes without seeing someone walking thought the alley looking at the art and many times taking pictures. Hey, did I mention the garbage trucks? :-)
Art Alley is an experience uni q ue to each person.
Idea: Tell about an experience in Art Alley?

Around Art Alley
Dahl Fine Arts Center They bring kid's workshops to Art Alley. They help to make Art Alley what it is. Galleries & Store too.

Elk's Theater Giant Screen. Very comfortable seating. Their sound system will pop your corn.

Firehouse Brewing Co Beer created right before your eyes. Dinner theater every Saturday night
West River Gallery Fine artists representative of the Black Hills and South Dakota (that's what it said) Owner's a cool guy.
The Clock Shop Like a Clock and Watch Gallery, Museum, and Store all in one. A visit is worth your time.
James Van Nuys Gallery This man's work with light is world class and even ranks up there historically. And he's here, right by Art Alley! Blows me away and he supports Art Alley too.
The Celtic Shop Charlie the owner makes it authentic and fun.

Prairie Edge . is an absolute must visit. Lakota art and ... Hard to believe the collection they have.

Black Hills Community Theatre
Performed in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Coyote On A Fence Feb. 8 - 24, 2008 by Bruce Graham
Does a lousy upbringing excuse heinous crimes? Is there room for mercy and repentance within the judicial system? And if Americans really knew the inhabitants of death row, would they want to see them die? Illiterate but likeable, Bobby Reyburn is a funny young guy who loves to do impressions. He's also a member of the Aryan nation, a racist predator convicted of a horrific crime. John Brennan is educated and arrogant, a serious writer who may only be guilty of doing society a favor. As each awaits his fate, one evokes sympathy, the other derision. In vivid scenes, Coyote of a Fence explores the disturbing question: Can one be innocent though proven guilty? This penetratng new drama offers no clear verdict, just utterly compelling theatre.

MORE COMING


Motorcycles, Cars and Trucks in
Art Alley (Email Your Photos or link)

Party in Art Alley


The Music, Art and Party Scene
Downtown is picking up. This was
the five Year Anniversary Party for
The Factory.

Idea: Start or move
your business downtown.
Kids in Art Alley Make The News


Dahl City Life Arts Camp; Justin Pazara
of Fox News gives some press.
Idea: Stop Downtown for dinner
before your evening out.

My Interests

Downtown Parking Ramp & Leased Lots Free All Day On Saturdays!
Map (Walk a block 4 Art Alley)
Alley Pictures Make History
Art Alley is destined to become the most photographed alley in the world!


"You Are Part
of the Art"

I really like photography and wanted to do an interesting photo shoot. I got a couple of my friends and their family's together and we went downtown and took pictures for a few hours. ~chynna~
cj

Idea: Tell about your experience in Art Alley?


Art Alley News Links
4/28/06 Downtown Art Alley sparks debate
4/29/06 Art Alley a picture of issues
5/20/07 Come together By Dennis Halterman
5/20/07 Art Alley colorful curator
6/30/07 City contribution to Art Alley is money well spent
6/26/07 Matching funds for Art Alley resurfacing
6/13/07 Art Alley supporters try to pave way for more decoration
7/3/07 Rapid City Council approves Art Alley funds
8/14/07 Art Alley re-done
8/22/07 Downtown art alley now open

Alley Historical Photos
Check the albums Bro --------

" And like many things that start below the Establishment's radar, it has caught the eye of the mainstream and is edging into the galleries. "
From Takin' It To The Streets By Richard Lacayo 10/24/05


Is it art?
Compare!

Image -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8-
Waking Up In Art Alley

She woke up in Art Alley
not from her sleep the night before
but awakening from a dream about the day.

How is it that she noticed herself
so clearly
here in time
this very place?

Was it when
rather than passive
she searched for art?

Was it when
with the power of focus
she found novelty here?

Or it could just be
Art Alley

Up My Alley - Some FavZ
Strange Places - Strange Faces
Art Alley Angel
Dally in the Alley
Alley Toons
Alley Cats - Alley People
Alleyscape
The Alley Edge
In Your Face
Down Your Alley?
Signs of the Times
Between the Cracks
Good Graf - Tag Alley!
Alleys Around the World
KidZ

Collections Links

LasVegasDanielle
Smugmug
RC Weekly News (Scroll Down)
Rod Olson
MzFireKatt
The Factory
That one chick....
Lady Galaxy
Aerosoul video
Party People

Books:

*The Universe in a Single Atom, The convergence of Science and Spirituality* by the Dalai Lama*Attention, Theory and Practice* Johnson and Proctor*Attention, A Neuropsychological Approach* by Antony Ward

Heroes:

Art Alley By Night


Hi, Right now I am living in Illinois but come April mid May my family is moving to Rapid Vally. One of the first things I am going to do when we get there is come see your ^Art Alley's^ work. What I have seen in the photos is amazing. Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Holidays. Christie aka Lil Sh*t ^inserted
i took pictures on that alley a year ago i thought it was just 'an' alley but now i know what's going on. There's a place to feed my eyes..Briliant! indi
I took a walk down your cobbled path and found myself relaxed and taken away to a world where there's no time and no rush to get things done, no deadlines...just quiet. Just wanted to say thanks for being there today, I really needed you and you came through. =) *sigh* ~*Tonya*~
Hi! Oh man, when I heard you guys were on Myspace I got all sorts of excited! Art Alley is by far one of the coolest things in Rapid. Me and my friends make a distinced attempt to go there @ least once a month if not more. I love Art Alley and I'm glad you guys work hard at keeping it tasteful and fun and a great aspect to Rapid. Thanks =) Keep up the fantastic work. Take Care, Mon
Our new friend that has four friends living in Rapid City
Christafer is at: Ft. Benning, GA in the Army. Temporarily in Las Vegas. He is 26 and single
Graduation Photos
Idea: Send us Art Alley Graduation & Wedding Photos

Art Alley - Up Close and Personal

Popular Alley Names

Viper Alley
Tornado Alley
Demon's Alley
Automation Alley
Silicon Alley
Printer's Alley
TIN PAN ALLEY
Freak Alley
Hurricane Alley
Blues Alley
Bowling Alley
Alley Cantina
Creeque Alley
Hogan's Alley
Blind Alley
Gasoline Alley
Jazz Alley
Podcast Alley
Antique Alley
Blood Alley
Art Alley

Alley - From Wikipedia:



A n alley or alleyway is a narrow, pedestrian lane found in urban areas which usually run between or behind buildings. In older cities and towns in Europe, alleys are often what is left of a medieval street network. In the British Isles an alley may be a right of way or ancient footpath in an urban setting. In Victorian urban development, alleys were built to allow for delivery of coal to the rear of houses. Alleys may be paved, or simply dirt tracks.Blind alleys have no outlet at one end.
Andrés Duany, American architect, urban planner and a leader in the New Urbanism movement, an effort to end suburban sprawl, has long espoused the use of alleys as leading to a better integration of automobile and foot traffic in a neighborhood. His firm Duany Plater-Zyberk (DPZ) included alleys in their design for Prospect New Town, a New Urbanism project.
Reduced usage of alleys can result in their decline. Under use, poor maintenance, poor night time illumination and narrow width may contribute to an increase in anti-social or illegal activities.


Professional Photographers have found Art Alley. Here Paul L.Meisel shoots Junal Gerlach Native American model

My Blog

MySpace Restrictions - Above 20,000 Friends

MySpace restricts some uses of email and comments for pages with more than 20,000 friends.  Because of those restrictions we are going to try to keep the number of friends to below 20,000.  ...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:10:00 PST

Tagging Is Not Art, But Graffiti Can Be by Dennis Halterman

What I enjoy best about Art Alley is the amazing opportunities it provides for growth to anyone who is willing. Maybe that was what we inherently had in mind when we first began -- finding a unique an...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:00:00 PST

Rapid City and Experimental Arts and Science

Degree of novelty is hard to describe.  For instance both Art Alley and the President Sculptures are novel.  Both compete in different categories for novelty.  One category where there ...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:09:00 PST

Out from under the radar - Including Art Alley

It is hard to not take Art Alley seriously when this Myspace page has over 6000 friends.  Art Alley has been under the radar but an art theme branding Rapid City could include Art Alley.Branding ...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:18:00 PST

Statistics 11-29-07 5000 Friends

Samples only include open profiles.  Large artist profiles are excluded.Over 20,000 alumni of South Dakota schools are on myspace and will be targeted in January, 2008. The below sampl...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:32:00 PST

Branding Rapid City  Lacking Novelty, Visitor Participation and Citizen Enthusiasm

Rapid City CVB and others have hired a consultant to help brand Rapid City.  Theme suggestions that the committee has come up with so far are: The PresidentsNative AmericanPatriotic Ci...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:11:00 PST

Statistics - We have 3400 Friends

Friends are starting to ask other friends to consider being a friend of Art Alley.  That is helping a lot.A few things should be noted:  The male/female ratio is related to the way I am invi...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:33:00 PST

What Makes Art Alley, Art Alley

I shutter to think about the question, "What is art?"  It's like eating too many fries.  One more time talking about it will just make you gag.But I do think some things about art are pretty...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:11:00 PST

Preseve My Art? Whats in it for me?

There seems to be a general desire for someone to want their art  preserved for some future. There may be exceptions. I can see a couple of reasons for that.  One is they would like people...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:29:00 PST

*That Will Be the Day* the music died

Art AlleyAt about 1:00 am in February 3, 1959, a plane with the serial number N3794N carrying three of rock music's brightest stars took off into a blinding snow storm and crashed into Albert Juhl's ...
Posted by Art Alley & Downtown Rapid City, SD on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:02:00 PST