How artwork became ‘heart work’ for South Dakota artists

This paid piece is sponsored by the Children’s Home Society.

Jon Crane has loved art since he was a child.

“I was always the kid in the back of the class in trouble for doodling,” said the well-known South Dakota artist. “It was just a natural thing.”

Crane grew up in New Jersey. After serving in the Air Force, he decided to pursue a career in art. “I put my time in and have avoided a real job for 47 years now.”

Today, Crane lives with his wife, Gail, in Hill City. Twenty-some years ago he had a gallery in town — now owned by another person — where he did watercolor demonstrations. When he was finished, a friend named Denny McKay would auction off the painting, with the proceeds going to a different charity each year.

One year, the charity receiving the donation was Children’s Home Society of South Dakota. A fundraising campaign for a Creative Arts Endowment was underway to pay for arts education, which was not covered by state funding.

“Denny McKay came to us, and he said: ‘You know, I love the Children’s Home. They’re a great organization. Would you mind if we made this into a bigger event?’” Crane said. The Cranes agreed.

Now in its 17th year, the annual Jon Crane Children’s Home Society Benefit Auction has become a unique signature event in Rapid City.

It has expanded Children’s Home Society’s network of supporters, volunteers and friends. And it has raised nearly $1 million for the Creative Arts Endowment and Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center.

Heart work of Richard DuBois

Crane wasn’t the only prominent South Dakota watercolor artist interested in Children’s Home Society. Richard DuBois, a Black Hills native who taught art at Black Hills State University for 35 years, also had a soft spot for the Children’s Home Society kids.

After his retirement, DuBois continued to teach painting to individuals and groups from his home studio.

And in 2007, DuBois and his wife, Rose, began hosting groups of children from Black Hills Children’s Home.

“We would have a vanload of children come to our home,” Rose DuBois said. “Richard would buy them little art kits that had the paints and the brushes and the aprons and the little water bottles … and taught them how to paint.”

The same year, a handful of DuBois’ painting students created an informal group called Dick’s Chicks. They took classes from DuBois until his death in 2014.

“We made a decision as a group that we wanted to move forward painting together to honor Richard’s legacy,” artist Melissa Wood said.

And out of Dick’s Chicks was born the Dream Team, which was a group of artists who made a commitment to teach art to kids at Black Hills Children’s Home.

“Richard would talk to us about Children’s Home, and so we were aware of the work and how passionate he was about helping these kids,” Wood explained. “And we wanted to pass down what he gave to us so generously.”

Every year since DuBois’ death — except during the pandemic — Dream Team members have volunteered to teach art at Black Hills Children’s Home. Their visits give children special opportunities to express themselves through art and to learn new skills.

Assistant director of schools Tara Chayka saidt children treasure these experiences. “We’ve had kids over the years who have discovered a talent within them that they didn’t even know they had,” she said. “We get to see little artists start to bloom.”

Community of artists, community of support

Many Dick’s Chicks and Dream Team members generously donate work and volunteer for the annual art auction.

Each year, more than 20 artists donate their work to help raise funds for Children’s Home Society. The event includes dinner and an exciting silent auction. Tickets sell out every year.

When the Creative Arts Endowment campaign goal was met, Children’s Home Society brought on a visual arts teacher and music teacher at its two campuses in the Black Hills and Sioux Falls.

“Art helps our kids to heal, to grow and to find themselves,” said Lisa Compton, Sioux Falls Children’s Home art teacher. “It’s that silent voice having an opportunity to come out.”

For the past several years, funds raised from the art auction benefit Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center, a Rapid City-based program providing forensic interviews for children who have been abused or witnessed extreme violence. The program is 55 percent funded by donations.

Through their artwork and their generosity, both Crane and DuBois helped spread awareness of Children’s Home Society and its mission. Their efforts have brought together a community of artists and art lovers who support children through instruction, role modeling and fundraising.

Learn more here about the annual Jon Crane Children’s Home Society Benefit Auction, which was held Sept. 29, and view a video about the event.