Open hARTt

There’s something about a space that’s so ideally, perfectly suited for a particular use that it’s almost like fine art. In the case of hARTt Studio, it just happens to literally be art. The location, founded by local Sarah Larson, is meant to be a space for joy, connection and, unsurprisingly, heart.

Sarah Larson

“I’m an ally through and through,” Larson said. “I believe in kindness and heart and just being a good human. There are many things through life that have affected me, but I think the grandest thing was moving from the west to back home in South Dakota. 

“I was trying to find my place here and wanting to find my community here and create some sort of place that felt safe for all. I wanted that, craved that and needed that, also. I wanted some sort of community place where all are welcome and all are safe. It shouldn’t be hard.”

After some time with her spouse and child living in San Francisco, Larson and family moved back to Sioux Falls, a place that has some history with her extended family, as well. In fact, Norse Hall, the building that houses hARTt Studio, has a connection to Larson’s own father.

“There’s a lot of history here — my dad threw illegal dance parties in the basement in the ‘60s, because you couldn’t dance on the campus at Augustana,” she said. “There was a huge music scene that happened in the ‘90s, and Green Day played in the basement. Hi-Fi Hair moved in a couple years ago. 

“There are artful things happening in the building, and the hope would be that we could continue to grow through these walls and in this space and protect it. There’s so much history here, and it’s just enough off of downtown that we’re still in it. This is where we feel at home.”

Both of Larson’s parents are artists, so it’s always been a part of her world, from trips to Minneapolis art galleries growing up, to spending time painting in her dad’s studio, to dancing and music.

Larson’s husband, Jeff, owns and operates Hi-Fi Hair in the space next door to the studio, and the experience upon entering both spaces is a clear connection to artistry and caring for one another. These are values Larson carries close to her heart.

“I think because you should have the right to love whoever it is you want to love and be the person you’re meant to be, there should be support for that,” she said. “Having family and friends who are gay, meeting Matthew Shepard’s mom — there are moments in my life where it just feels like there’s something really important that needs to happen. If we don’t speak up, who will?

“When I look to my daughter, I want her to know that life can be kind and open and that she is loved, there’s love for her friends, for our LGBTQ2S+ youth and adults. I want to stand up and fight for that to make sure it happens. And I’ll continue trying until it does. I’m a fierce ally with hope — and it feels broken. I think we need to come together and somehow build passion and compassion and just be good humans. It doesn’t seem that hard. And I don’t have the answers — but if I could contribute kindness in some kind of way and a seven-year-old understands that, if only adults could, too, what a world we could live in!”

The programming in the space aims to accomplish just that. Originally conceived as an open-heart project through the Change Network, Larson submitted an idea for a collaborative art project, with funding through the Bush Foundation.

“Everyone who participated was given the same materials, bringing together community, love and openness,” she said. “We encouraged people to bring them home and then come back with their pieces. We had a gallery opening and it was amazing. I think I made 30 kits, and 25 came back. And what was represented was pretty powerful — all ages, a lot of youth involved. I think that is sort of what helped me get this started. And now hARTt Studio is sort of a continuation of that — we advocate, we love, we create art, all things I love to do.”

hARTt Studio partners with other area organizations, such as Free Mom Hugs, the Transformation Project and Sioux Falls Pride, as well as hosts free art projects at its table on a regular basis. In addition, Larson hopes to offer expanding workshops and classes, as well as offer the space up for private events. The space also plays host to a retail component, with supplies and pieces available for purchase from brands and individuals that “share unity and support good.”

And thus far, the feedback on the studio has been heartening.

“I think that there is joy. It’s been nice, because people return, and that’s good,” Larson said. “That’s what you want. You want people to have an experience that they’d like to have again. Personally, I feel like sitting at a table, creating something, using your hands, having a conversation or dialogue. I’d like to be able to reach more kids and figure out what it is that they need. They’re super self-sufficient and know more than we do in so many ways — more emotionally intelligent — so if they show up, then I feel like we’re doing okay.”

So what’s next for Larson’s endeavor just south of the Washington Pavilion in downtown Sioux Falls? She’s keeping her ear to the ground and her heart open.

“I’m trying to listen to the community, see what the needs are and then go from there,” she said. “We’re doing some trans knit-alongs, we’re doing some trans youth workshops — just bringing people together through art and sharing.

“My hope is that we’ll continue to connect and meet more people. I’m open to learning, too, so as long as we get people in the space, supporting people’s needs, I feel great about it.”