One Roll at a Time—Michelle Langemeier Explores Fantasy, Function, and Storytelling Through Ceramic Dice Towers

For Immediate Release: May 13, 2025
One Roll at a Time—Michelle Langemeier Explores Fantasy, Function, and Storytelling Through Ceramic Dice Towers

RAPID CITY, SD – The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is delighted to present One Roll at a Time, an Emerging Visual Artists exhibition by local multidisciplinary artist Michelle Langemeier, on view May 14 through June 30 in the Bruce H. Lien Cultural Café & Gallery at the Dahl Arts Center. A public reception will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 4–6pm, offering an opportunity to meet the artist, view the work up close, and purchase artwork from the exhibition.

Langemeier’s body of work features handcrafted ceramic dice towers—each one a sculptural homage to the imaginative worlds of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Langemeier began her creative journey in 2004, earning recognition in alternative process photography publications before transitioning to 3D art in 2020. Clay quickly became her medium of choice, offering a bridge between imagination and tangible form.

What is a dice tower? A dice tower is a functional gaming accessory used to ensure fair and randomized dice rolls during tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. Players drop their dice into the top of the tower, where they tumble through a series of internal ramps before emerging at the base. Dice towers are often used during pivotal moments of gameplay, when every roll counts and the stakes are high.

Langemeier's work invites players to reconnect with creativity, play, and storytelling. Her dice towers serve as both functional game tools and expressive art objects, reflecting the mystique of untamed forests, mythical beasts, and the surreal landscapes of our inner worlds. Most towers are available for purchase, offering players and collectors a chance to bring a piece of this imaginative world into their own.

Michelle Langemeier will also be leading Introduction to Handbuilding, a 6-week clay course beginning Monday, June 9. Designed for both beginners and intermediate students, the class offers a hands-on exploration of fundamental hand-building techniques like slab and coil construction. Each week, students will complete a unique project while learning key principles of form, balance, and proportion. Alongside developing technical skills, participants will engage in group discussions and critiques, creating a supportive environment for growth, experimentation, and creative expression. To enroll, visit rapidcityartscouncil.org/classes.

One Roll at a Time invites players and art lovers alike to reconnect with creativity, connection, and play—one roll at a time.

This exhibition is part of RCAC’s Emerging Visual Artists (EVA) program at the Dahl. EVA supports visual artists looking to gain experience working with art galleries and exhibiting their works for the first time. RCAC's staff works with the artist through the process, from selecting works, getting critiques, pricing, writing a statement, and creating and promoting the exhibit. EVA is currently accepting applications for the 2025 season and encourages artists to submit proposals of original works. To learn more about the EVA visit www.thedahl.org/eva.

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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.