​​Arthur Amiotte is an internationally recognized Lakota artist, author, and educator. Born in Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and raised in the area, Amiotte graduated from Northern State University before embarking on a monumental career that fundamentally shaped contemporary Native American fine art. He established his long-term residence and art studio in Custer in 1986.His work—characterized by highly intricate collages, ledger-style drawings, and mixed-media paintings—explores the profound concepts of Transformation and Continuity.

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Amiotte’s art captures the historical transition of the Lakota people through the reservation

era into modern life, synthesizing traditional aesthetics with contemporary themes. Over a

distinguished career spanning more than six decades, Amiotte has served on numerous national arts commissions and co-founded landmark regional programs, including the hospice care system of the Black Hills. His original masterpieces are housed in premier museums, galleries, and private collections worldwide.

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Michael "Mike" Halversen is an accomplished fine artist and muralist based in Custer, SD. Heavily influenced by the rich artistic lineage of the Northern State University fine arts community, Halversen specializes in large-scale public artworks that celebrate High Plains narratives, regional heritage, and collective community storytelling. Halversen has activated multiple spaces throughout the Black Hills with his public work, including custom mural installations for Skogen Kitchen, and other locations. His technical mastery of exterior masonry paint applications, combined with a deep respect for historical iconography, ensures that the Arthur Amiotte Tribute Mural will remain a bright, durable landmark for decades to come.

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Muralist Assistant & Collaborator: Trent Long

Trent Long is a talented fine artist and public muralist based in the Black Hills region who

has dedicated his skills to activating community spaces through visual storytelling. Long

has successfully completed multiple high-profile mural installations in the area, including

a prominent custom mural over at Maria's and a specialized large-scale project for a private

residence. Long volunteered his time to partner with lead artist Mike Halversen for the

Arthur Amiotte Tribute Mural project. His involvement brings represents the collaborative

spirit that great murals can bring to a community.

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Support Public Art in the Custer Area: Public art installations like the Arthur Amiotte Tribute Mural are made possible through the collaboration of local businesses, passionate artists, and municipal funding. The Custer Area Arts Council (CAAC) provides structural stewardship, insurance, and long-term surface preservation for landmark community projects.

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If you believe that fine art builds community bridges, honors our collective heritage, and

enriches our public spaces, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution. 100% of donations directly fund local artist stipends, staging equipment, and public art supplies.

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The Custer Area Arts Council extends its utmost gratitude to the following individuals and organizations who brought this project to fruition:

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• Arthur Amiotte, for his unmatched creative legacy and generous autonomous gift of copyright permission.

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• Mike Halversen & Trent Long, for their dedicated artistic vision and hard work prepping and executing the site installation.

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• Lynn’s Dakotamart, for graciously donating their exterior building facade to serve as a canvas for the community.

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​More about Arthur: If Arthur Amiotte's artwork feels familiar to you, there's a good reason for that. Arthur Amiotte’s work is highly celebrated, and his legacy as a master artist and scholar is well-documented across premier public institutions and national honors databases. You have probably seen his work before!

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Permanent Public Collections: Arthur Amiotte's artwork is represented in 26 public collections and hundreds of private collections globally. Key institutions hosting his permanent work include:

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• The Smithsonian Institution: His pieces are held by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., and his career includes historic exhibitions at the National Museum of the American Indian.

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• Major Art Museums: Permanent installations and collections are held at the Denver Art Museum (Denver, CO), the Joslyn Art Museum (Omaha, NE), the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Minneapolis, MN), the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, and the Whitney Gallery of Western Art at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, WY).

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• Regional & Tribal Centers: His work is featured prominently at The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School (Pine Ridge, SD), the Aktá Lakota Museum at St. Joseph's Indian School (Chamberlain, SD), the South Dakota Arts Council's Art for State Buildings collection (Pierre, SD), and the Sequoyah National Research Center (Little Rock, AR).

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National & Global Awards and Fellowships: Amiotte has received an impressive array of dozens of prestigious awards recognizing his creative and academic contributions. 

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• Lifetime Achievement Award (1999): Honored as both an Artist and Scholar by the Native American Art Studies Association.

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• Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fellowship (1997): Awarded the "Artists at Giverny" residency fellowship, allowing him to live and work at Claude Monet's residence in Giverny, France.

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• Getty Foundation Grants: Recipient of major foundation grants in 1994 and 1995.

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• Bush Leadership & Artist Fellowships: Recipient of a Bush Leadership Fellowship

and an Artist Fellowship from the Bush Foundation.

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• South Dakota Honors: Received the South Dakota Governor's Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in the Arts and was named Artist of the Year by the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

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• Honorary Doctorates: Holds three honorary doctorate degrees for his lifelong dedication to art and education, including degrees from Oglala Lakota College (Kyle, SD) and Brandon University (Manitoba, Canada).

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Prestigious Appointments: His global and national stature is further highlighted by several major federal and museum appointments:

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• Smithsonian Institution: Served as a temporary adviser to the director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

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• Presidential Advisory Council: Appointed to serve on the Presidential Advisory Council for the Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., from 1979 to 1981.• U.S. Dept. of the Interior: Served as a Commissioner for the Indian Arts and Crafts Board in 1988.

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Where to Learn More Online: To review extensive online galleries, digital catalogs, and recorded interviews regarding his historical ledger and collage art, you can direct patrons to the following resources:

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• The Akta Lakota Museum Artist Profile: Akta Lakota Museum - Arthur Amiotte Profile

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• The Wheelwright Museum Exhibition Archive: Wheelwright Museum - Arthur

Amiotte: Collages​​