Washington Pavilion retail store converts to artist residency space

May 7, 2026

Washington Pavilion Management Inc. is taking a new approach with space it originally leased downtown as a retail store.

Alcove, which offered a variety of art- and science-themed merchandise, sold its final inventory earlier this year at The Steel District. In its place, Washington Pavilion Management is offering the space to artists on a rotating basis.

 “We started asking, what can we do to utilize it to support our mission but in a different way,”  CEO Darrin Smith said.

After more than a dozen conversations with artists, “a theme quickly emerged,” he said. “That was an artist residency program, and a very flexible one.”

The idea came together to offer the space as a working studio, for art shows, retail sales, classes or “however they want to use it,” Smith said. “And also to try and give a wide variety of artists the opportunity — not just the most well-established names but all levels. The rest has unfolded organically.”

Photographer Andrew Peschong was the first artist in residence for March and April.

“He did some receptions, sold pieces and did some classes on how to take professional-looking photos,” Smith said.

Next up are artists Marlee Hayes and Sara Mulder, who began their residency May 1.

Mulder, who moved to Sioux Falls in 2007 from Iowa, recently transitioned to full-time painting after a 23-year career as an art teacher.

“It became clear that my passion for growing the business, meeting the demand and sharing creativity through my own art was the path forward,” she said.

Her work features saturated color and blends realism with an expressionist approach, often focusing on Midwest landscapes, florals and still-life compositions.

“I’m inspired by confident brushstroke and how it interacts with shape and space on the canvas,” Mulder said. “I’m always seeking a balance between a finished look and loose, linear marks.”

She was already familiar with Alcove, having previously exhibited work there, and said the transition to a residency felt natural.

“The space is made to display art and invite people to enjoy that work,” she said. “Alcove is a great addition to the Sioux Falls landscape, offering potential as a space for sharing the arts.”

During the residency, Mulder plans to host exhibitions, open-studio time, painting classes for all ages and collaborative events with other local creatives.

“There will be something for everyone,” she said. “Some events will require a purchased ticket while others will be open to the public.”

For Mulder, the residency concept addresses a broader need in the community.

“Sioux Falls needs space for artists to create and display their work,” she said. “It’s a winning situation whenever artists can work in an inspiring space, display their work and place themselves in a visible location.”

Marlee Hayes, a Sioux Falls native, brings a different perspective shaped by work in film production and years of leading art residencies across South Dakota.

Her background includes studies at Columbia College Chicago and the University of South Dakota, along with professional experience in Chicago and Minneapolis. She also has served as an artist-in-residence at the Sanford Cancer Center since 2016.

“I use art to foster connection and healing,” Hayes said. “That experience continues to shape how I approach community engagement.”

Her work is primarily abstract and process-driven, using acrylics and mixed media to explore contrast and movement.

“I’m drawn to the balance of noise and calm — layers and movement that reflect the beauty and chaos of everyday life,” she said.

Hayes said the opportunity to work in Alcove carries personal meaning.

“I took art classes as a young child at the Washington Pavilion, where I was first introduced to abstract art,” she said. “Partnering in this way feels like a full-circle moment.”

She plans to use the space as both a studio and a gathering place, offering open-studio hours, workshops and children’s summer camps.

“I’m excited for it to feel active and welcoming — a place where people can watch work unfold, step into the process and feel inspired to make something of their own,” Hayes said.

Like Mulder, Hayes sees the residency as filling a gap in the local arts ecosystem.

“Residencies create opportunities for artists to experiment, connect with new audiences and grow their practice,” she said. “Locally, this fills a real void by offering visibility, community engagement and a supportive environment.”

The artists held their first workshop earlier this week — a floral painting event that will be repeated in the weeks ahead.

Registration for ticketed events can be found at MarleeHayes.com and SaraMulderArt.com. Additional updates also will be shared through the artists’ social media channels.

The artists will work out of the space at 151 E. Fourth Place, Suite 180, for May and June. Here’s an early look at their calendars:

Sioux Falls artist Brad Kringen has committed to the space for July and August and might share it with other local artists.

“We’re in talks with some well-established artists for those late summer and fall months,” Smith said. “They’re excited, we’re excited and now we’re trying to figure out who goes in for what period of time.”

Terms vary for each artist. The Washington Pavilion continues to pay the rent and utilities for the space, with artists contributing as determined for each arrangement.

“So we are definitely supporting this residency program but doing it in a way where artists have skin in the game and it works for all parties,” Smith said.

Artists interested in participating can contact Smith through the Washington Pavilion.

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