Gallery Glimpse: Cody Henrichs
By Cody Henrichs
Curator, Professor & Artist
Washington Pavilion
Art has been and continues to be fundamental to our humanity. The appreciation of art has played an essential role in building healthy, robust and diverse societies for centuries. Even during the most difficult social and economic times, art has been a unifying force; bringing people together and importantly fostering innovation as well as creativity.
If you had to define the community that represents the arts in Sioux Falls and the surrounding area, what might be the defining factors? What institutions, locations or artists drive our arts community? What is missing from the diagnosis? How does this concept of community help to define the culture of engagement support and participation for artists, collectors and art enthusiasts?
Do you show up?
This question can often make people feel a little cornered; it comes with a multitude of defenses of why you are too busy, too tired etc. In my experience, nothing can make or break the community like lack of participation.
When I was an undergraduate, I received one of the most helpful pieces of advice from a mentor. He said go to every opening you can, say hello to people you know, and especially those you don’t know, stay as long as you are comfortable, eat the cheese and drink the cucumber water.
Four of my undergraduate compatriots and I would attend every opening at Midway Contemporary Arts, the Walker, other colleges and any arts venue that might have the potential for new people, opportunities, collaboration and connection. My concept at that time was short-sighted, as I believed that I was creating opportunities for myself. In hindsight, I was supporting my community as a young and excited college student ready to learn. Nothing—and I mean nothing—can suck the air out of room like a poorly attended art event.
Sharing is caring.
The arts create wellness in our day-to-day lives by helping us process our lives individually and allowing us to come together collectively. Art-making and viewing art allows us to process our experiences. Art helps us to express and to understand the world around us.
We are unique in our human drive to create and engage with the arts. We define our human experience by the cultures we create and participate in. Culture, made up of customs, social interactions and activities, is fueled by the arts. Be it music, food or visual arts, culture and the arts are inseparable. We are a small community by any standard of measurement, especially in the arts; this is why each artist, arts organization and arts supporter contributes to the feeling of the community in a real way.
What is missing, and how can we be better?
For many years now, I have had only two real studio rules—(1) defy gravity and (2) leave it better than you found it. I think rule two is a little more useful. The opportunities that are available to us to support are endless it we look for them.
I have never heard anyone say, “No, I don’t want a studio visit, and I hope no one shows up for my talk.” Our involvement is the thing that allows the arts to grow and that gives that crucial output of public engagement needed to grow and develop new ideas. I hope to see you soon.
Cody Henrichs serves as the head curator for the Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center and as adjunct professor of sculpture for University of Sioux Falls. He’s an accomplished artist in his own right, with a Master’s in Sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design.