Access to Artistry

Finding space for new and aspiring artists to get their feet in the door isn’t always a particularly easy prospect — but it’s one that April VanLeirsburg, founder of Sioux Falls’ Van Art Studios, hopes to continue making a reality.

April VanLeirsburg

Heading into its third season this spring, the gallery space, which calls the lower level of a Phillips Avenue apartment building in downtown Sioux Falls home, prides itself on being a “zero-risk gallery,” or one that doesn’t request an upfront fee from artists for showing.

“For a lot of people, the galleries in Sioux Falls aren’t an option for them,” VanLeirsburg said. “I wanted to provide a showcase for local artists who couldn’t necessarily get in anywhere else. That’s kind of what it’s become.”

The gallery owner is an artist herself, as well, in addition to owning a local residential, commercial and new-construction painting company. This latter fact came in handy when she encountered the opportunity to renovate the space that Van Art Studios now occupies.

“I got lucky. My sister owns the building,” she said. “She didn’t necessarily have the funds to renovate that portion of the space, because she had renovated 40 units in the building. So I renovated it, as well as the south side, which is also commercial, and in exchange I’m able to use the gallery space for free. That was huge.”

The location itself is outfitted with gallery space, in addition to office and studio spaces adjoining, which VanLeirsburg hopes to fill with local makers who can open their doors and showcase their work in progress when in-season shows are happening.

“It’s a big stepping stone,” she said. “It’s so hard to get into the big galleries — it takes forever to get that name established. This is a way to get out into the public affordably without having to have that sort of résumé.”

For first-timers, VanLeirsburg is happy to offer guidance for fledgling artists’ first shows at Van Art, including tips on professionalism, framing, sellability and other aspects of developing a successful exhibition.

“For a lot of the artists, it’s their first show,” she said. “The enthusiasm that that can create is amazing. One friend of mine — I didn’t even know she painted — she showed me some of her stuff, and I was just blown away. She’s incredible. Between the time period of me giving her a space for her first show to the following year, she had pumped out over 30 paintings. And now she’s selling like crazy on her own, which is great. So it’s also inspirational for these artists to do more and get excited about what they’re doing.

For VanLeirsburg, painting has always been something of an outlet for her — with major health benefits. “I’ve been doing art since a very young age. It was just kind of therapeutic for me. I’ve found it’s a lot like counseling for myself and for any of the artists I’ve met. Especially in my teen years, I used to draw and paint all the time, because it just chilled me out, relaxed me and helped me work through stuff.

“If you’re not someone that’s comfortable with therapy or can’t make it to sessions or it’s just not your thing, art is a great outlet. Anything you can get lost in and let go of the spiral of the mind is a positive. It’s a great way to get thoughts and feelings out. I feel very strongly that it’s a therapy session for most people that do it.”

And though starting businesses and having kids sidelined her own artwork for a time, she found herself drawn back in during the pandemic. With children schooling at home and working on art projects for classes, she started painting again and rediscovered the joy.

“I thought, ‘I’d love to open an art gallery, and Sioux Falls is kind of lacking in that department, especially in affordable ones,’” VanLeirsburg said. “You’ve got so much time and money invested in the materials, that you want to be able to at least recuperate some of that, if not take it to the next level. Most artists are trying to do that — they want to do something special with their art. And it takes a way in. This is hopefully a way in.”

In addition to regular shows, the studio plays host to charity events, with past art shows benefiting organizations like DakotAbilities, South Dakota Survivor Task Force and Garfield Elementary.

In the first few years of Van Art Studios’ existence, VanLeirsburg has been gratified by the response to its presence, with featured pieces ranging from paintings to sculpture to miniatures to handmade jewelry.

“I think for the public, a lot of people have been waiting for something like this. A lot of people want original art, but they can’t afford a $1,000 painting or aren’t willing to spend that,” she said. “So being able to have an original piece is great. Some of these starting artists are just so talented — so you get a great piece at a great price and you’re supporting the local community.

“Anybody can go into HomeGoods and buy some printed canvas, right? But this is an original, and you never know who’s going to get big.”