Bearwell: Big Read Rapid City Wraps Up

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2025
Bearwell: Big Read Rapid City Wraps Up
Final Event Celebrates a Season of Literature, Art, and Community 

RAPID CITY, SD — The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) proudly presents Bearwell: The Final Chapter, the culminating celebration of its 2025 NEA Big Read Rapid City program. The event will take place on Saturday, June 14, from 10am to 1pm in the Artists’ Market at the Dahl Arts Center. The community is invited to enjoy a warm and reflective finale to this season’s shared reading experience, featuring tea from local vendor Sun Pine Moon, live music, and free copies of The Bear by Andrew Krivak (available while supplies last).

In addition to celebrating The Bear, the event will also showcase a curated selection of books by local authors—giving attendees a chance to explore the literary talent of our region and connect directly with the writers who call the Black Hills home, including Susan Turnbull, Jodi Case, Julianne Doherty and Melissa Two Crow.

This year’s NEA Big Read initiative, centered around Krivak’s lyrical post-apocalyptic novel The Bear, sparked powerful dialogue and engagement across the Rapid City community. Through a robust series of programs and partnerships, the initiative reached audiences citywide, with:

• 900 books distributed to readers of all ages
• Over 100 books shared with local AARP members
• More than 100 children’s books distributed
• 30 public events hosted across 7 different venues
• More than 500 third-grade students from Rapid City schools engaged in guided tours of Wayfinder, a curated art exhibition at the Dahl Arts Center inspired by the themes of the novel

One of the most powerful aspects of the Big Read was witnessing how deeply artists connected with The Bear and translated its themes into visual form. The Wayfinder exhibition brought together a diverse group of creators whose work reflected personal, emotional, and philosophical responses to the text. Participating artist Lumi shared her experience:

“Participating in a show inspired by The Bear was both uplifting and thought-provoking. It was fascinating to witness the diverse ways in which each artist’s soul connected with different elements of the same novel—proof that while we may read the same words, our souls listen for different echoes. This collective exploration serves as a powerful reminder of how a single work can spark a cascade of creative interpretations which I am forever grateful to be a part of. The creative exchange that unfolds from one mind to another is endlessly fulfilling and profoundly inspiring.”

As a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read is designed to broaden our understanding of the human experience through literature. This year’s selected title resonated deeply with local readers, prompting reflection on themes such as environmental stewardship, generational knowledge, solitude, and human connection. 

“The Bear sparked meaningful conversations throughout our community and inspired us to explore its themes in unique and engaging ways,” said Aly Quinn, Events Coordinator at the Rapid City Public Library. “We’ve hosted 20 events so far—with 411 attendees—and will continue programming into June, thanks to strong community interest. From writing workshops and book discussions to special interest and collaborative events with partners like Custer State Park, the response has been outstanding. The book in its various forms has circulated 122 times in the past six months, a clear sign of how deeply it resonated with local readers.”

Reflecting on the overall impact of the program, Maggie Lepa-Wince, Marketing Director at the Rapid City Arts Council, emphasized the power of shared stories and the strength of community collaboration:

“Watching our community come together around this book has been incredibly moving. What began as a story about solitude and survival turned into something much bigger—an invitation to connect, reflect, and create. The collaboration with the Rapid City Public Library was especially meaningful and strengthened a relationship rooted in shared values. Literature is art, and this project proved just how much connection and creativity can grow from a single story.”

Bearwell: The Final Chapter marks not just the close of a grant cycle, but a celebration of what’s possible when a city comes together around a single story. The RCAC encourages all community members to stop by, enjoy a cup of tea, browse local artwork, and toast the close of a successful season of collective reflection and imagination.

While the Dahl Arts Center might not be the first place you think of when it comes to buying books, it’s a hidden gem for readers who want to support local voices. Authors are artists, too—and just like painters, sculptors, and musicians, they shape how we see the world. The Dahl proudly features a curated selection of books exclusively by local authors, celebrating the literary talent in our region and offering stories rooted in the landscapes, histories, and imaginations of our community.

While Bearwell: The Final Chapter marks the final Big Read event hosted at the Dahl Arts Center, the celebration continues with one more community gathering presented by the Rapid City Public Library. On Sunday, June 22, from 10am to 12pm, families are invited to Dinosaur Park Story Time, a free outdoor literacy event designed for young readers and their caregivers. Following a brief story time at 10am, children will receive Dinosaur Passports to explore themed activity stations spread throughout the park—each hosted by a different community partner like the Black Hills Raptor Center, the SDSMT Museum of Geology, and Dinosaur Park Gift Shop & and Visitor’s Center.

As kids collect stamps and enjoy crafts, parents can connect with organizations sharing exciting summer opportunities. Free popsicles await those who complete their passports, and trolley service from the downtown library will be available from 9am to 1pm to ease transportation. The library encourages attendees to park downtown and take the free trolley to the event to avoid traffic congestion at the Park.

Thank you for celebrating literary connection with us. For more information about the events or the NEA Big Read program, please visit rapidcityartscouncil.org/bigread.

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For More Information:
Maggie Lepa-Wince
Rapid City Arts Council
605.394.4101 x5
[email protected]

The purpose of the Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is to champion the power of art to bring all kinds of people together, making art more accessible, more integral and more inspiring for the communities we serve.​ RCAC was established by community leaders in 1968 and officially partnered with the city in 1974 to manage the Dahl Arts Center and expand arts and cultural resources. RCAC creates and supports diverse programming in exhibitions, performances, and educational classes. Supported by individual donors and organizations such as the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, John T. Vucurevich Foundation, the South Dakota Arts Council through the South Dakota Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts, and others, RCAC is committed to enriching the community's artistic and cultural experiences. Located at 713 7th St in Downtown Rapid City, the center offers free admission and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Discover more at rapidcityartscouncil.org.