Jan. 7, 2025

This paid piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

As construction progressed at The Steel District in downtown Sioux Falls, it became clear that a large, white wall inside one of the buildings was a blank canvas.

Inside the mixed-use tower, which has three restaurants on the main level and offices above, Craig Lloyd, co-founder of developer Lloyd Cos., had the idea “to do a unique, local piece that would capture something that was represented around us,” said Chris Thorkelson, CEO of Lloyd Cos.

“This wasn’t something where a collage was going to do it.”

So Lloyd Cos. reached out to Washington Pavilion Management Inc. to help find an artist who could capture the vision and bring it to life.

Using the Washington Pavilion’s art consulting service – which helps ideate, curate and install artwork for businesses and even individuals – Lloyd leaders Thorkelson and Christie Ernst worked with the Washington Pavilion team to source an artist.

The Washington Pavilion recently enhanced its art consulting services, allowing its seasoned experts to assist with:

• Art selection and acquisition, including original photography, fine art, custom pieces and large installations.
• Curation.
• Custom printing and framing.
• Art conservation and preservation.
• Installation coordination.

With this Steel District project, “the Lloyd team really wanted something in this space that would stand out as innovative, creative and never-before-seen,” said Jana Anderson, curator at the Washington Pavilion.

“This is the main entrance to the office tower and restaurants, so it is the public’s first impression. We knew that whatever would be installed here should tell a story, utilize technology and have a wow factor.”

After exploring a few ideas and proposals, the team started a conversation with Sioux Falls photographer Wes Eisenhauer about the space.

“We had worked with Wes on a few other projects and know that he is innovative and experimental in everything he does,” Anderson said. “This is a challenging space, and we knew Wes could come up with something to meet that challenge.”

Eisenhauer came up with the idea to activate his photography through projection mapping, using a drone photograph of Falls Park along with video footage layered over it.

Changeable backlighting and aluminum panels create the look of a piece that cascades off the wall across the two-story stairwell.

“It’s kind of outside my comfort zone, but I went and looked at the area and had the idea,” Eisenhauer said. “I did most of the photography last summer during the flooding, so I got really cool abstract, bird’s-eye views of rushing water.”

Eisenhauer worked with Pride Neon to fabricate and paint the tiles, which span between 6 and 9 feet and “are hung off the wall, floating and backlit,” he said. “So there are a bunch of layers and ways to manipulate it over time.”

After tweaking placement and lighting, ultimately the vision was achieved, and “Currents” was fully installed.

“This was definitely a new endeavor for me, and I’m really happy with the end result,” Eisenhauer said. “It came out exactly as I envisioned it when I first walked into the space. There was a sense of relief after it was installed, seeing it for the first time when it was lit up and the projections were running.”

“I think it turned out really cool,” Thorkelson added. “It’s something that can be a highlight for people, even driving by or through the development.”

Anderson agrees.

“We were able to collaborate and connect a local artist to a company and create something truly special and one-of-a-kind in the Sioux Falls area,” she said.

The Washington Pavilion art consulting team has worked with the broader Steel District development for about two years, including curating work in the Lloyd Cos. corporate office and public spaces, in addition to working with other companies in the building to create and install art in their offices.

The team also helped with artwork installation inside the Canopy by Hilton hotel and continues to work on public sculptures and the expanded SculptureWalk that will be part of the outdoor spaces.

“We have been able to incorporate the work of many local and regional artists into this space. The Steel District as a whole really showcases the talent and stories behind our arts community,” Anderson said.

Other artists whose work has been incorporated include Liz Heeren, Quintin Owens, Michael Baum, Cristen Roghair, Molly Fulton, Tom Dempster, Paul Schiller, Anna Reich and Rick Love.

Ernst worked with the Washington Pavilion team on multiple elements of public art in the development.

“I enjoy working with the Washington Pavilion because they make art approachable, even for someone who isn’t an expert,” she said.

“They respect my ability to identify what I like and don’t like, which makes the process comfortable and engaging. On the projects we’ve worked on together, they’ve presented a variety of artists and ideas, allowing me to easily share my preferences.”

The team also is highly receptive to feedback, incorporating it seamlessly into the final product, she said.

“Additionally, they manage the entire installation process, making the experience smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.”

As an artist, “it’s helpful,” Eisenhauer said. “They’ve brought me a lot of opportunities. Many of the buildings at The Steel District have my photography hanging in offices and hallways, which is really cool, and then it led to this bigger project, which I really appreciated.”

Washington Pavilion’s art consulting services are available to any business or organization looking to add local or regional art to a new or existing space, or even to residents looking to purchase art for their homes.

“Our art consulting team at the Washington Pavilion really understands that art elevates our spaces,” Anderson said.

“The employee, client and public all engage with the art and design of a space, and we are working with our clients to create warm and inviting spaces that showcase special pieces that tell a story. That story might be about a family, a company or a place; and we design spaces and use artwork that aligns with that story.”

“Currents” will host a grand opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 14 in the lobby of The Steel District office tower, 150 E. Fourth Place.

To learn more about art consulting services through the Washington Pavilion, click here.