The Spearfish High School Activities Department is excited to announce the Fine Arts Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductees. This year’s honorees are Michael Knutson (Class of 2005) for his achievements in Visual Arts, and the late Kurt Bauer (Class of 1977) for his contributions to Theater Arts.
About the Fine Arts Hall of Fame
The Spearfish High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame was established to recognize men and women who have excelled professionally in the fine arts. Honorees are celebrated for their impact, leadership, and commitment to artistic excellence across a wide range of disciplines.
Recognized Fine Arts Categories
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Music: Instrumental and Vocal
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Visual Arts: Painting, sculpture, pottery, photography, printmaking, graphic design, computer graphics, jewelry, drawing, fiber art, and architecture
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Theater Arts: Opera, stage, film, television, sound, lighting, and directing
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Dance: Ballet, jazz, and modern
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Literature: Playwrights, poets, journalists, and authors
Nominations for the Fine Arts Hall of Fame are open to the public and are reviewed and voted on by a selection committee.
2025 Inductee: Michael Kent Knutson (Class of 2005)
Michael Kent Knutson, known throughout his early years in Spearfish as Mikey, has built a distinguished career defined by artistic excellence and a deep commitment to arts education. His work reflects the vital role visual arts play in shaping cultural identity, strengthening communities, and empowering individuals to engage meaningfully with the world.
Roots in Spearfish and the Arts
A Spearfish native, Knutson was raised in a household deeply immersed in art and education. His father, James Knutson, served as an art professor at Black Hills State University, while his mother, Paula Manley, taught K–12 art in the Sturgis School District and is known for her surreal-realist painting style.
“Growing up with two art educators as parents meant the arts were simply part of everyday life,” Knutson said. “So many of my teachers had studied under my dad, they assumed I would be good at art, expected it even. I guess you could say I grew up trying to live up to the hype.”
As a child, Knutson was actively involved in the local arts scene, assisting with community events such as the Spearfish Festival in the Park and youth exhibitions at the Matthews Opera House—experiences that helped shape his creative path.
Education and Professional Career
Knutson earned his Bachelor of Science in Art from Black Hills State University, followed by a Master of Fine Arts from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. During graduate study, he developed a cinematic, narrative-driven style that has become the hallmark of his work.
His artwork has been exhibited at numerous institutions, including:
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University of Kansas
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Kansas State University
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Wichita State University
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Colorado State University
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New Mexico Highlands University
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Black Hills State University
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Great Plains Art Institution at Sinte Gleska University
Knutson has also created major public artworks, including the Majestic Butterfly Mural at the Finney County Municipal Court Building and the Ancient Tortoise Mural at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.
A frequent presenter at national conferences such as College Art Association (CAA), Foundations in Art: Theory and Education (FATE), and the Kansas Art Symposium, he has also served as a juror for organizations including the Tallgrass Artist Residency, Smoky Hill River Festival, and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Educator and Arts Advocate
Currently, Knutson serves as a Professor of Art at Garden City Community College, where he has spent nearly a decade strengthening arts education and advocating for cultural access across rural Kansas. He has been named Professor of the Year twice by his institution and serves as President of the Garden City Arts Board of Directors.
His commitment to art activism reflects a belief that visual arts are a powerful social force—helping communities tell their stories, challenge assumptions, and imagine new possibilities.
A Lasting Connection to Home
Despite a career that has taken him across the Great Plains, Knutson’s connection to Spearfish remains deeply personal.
“Spearfish and the Black Hills will always be home,” he said. “I’d love to make it back someday. That landscape and community have shaped everything I am today.”
Induction Ceremony Details
Michael Kent Knutson will be inducted into the Spearfish High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame on Friday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Spearfish High School Auditorium.
He joins Kurt Bauer, who was inducted earlier this year during the Fall Choir Concert, as members of the Class of 2025.