Students debut ‘12 Days of Christmas’ display at McCrory Gardens’ Garden Glow

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Students from South Dakota State University’s School of Performing Arts have created a new holiday installation for McCrory Gardens’ Garden Glow, featuring “12 Days of Christmas” illustrations designed by associate professor Billy Wilburn.

This ongoing partnership, which began with a “Candyland” display six years ago, allows students to showcase their skills while realizing a client’s vision.

Students debut ‘12 Days of Christmas’ display at McCrory Gardens’ Garden Glow(Dakota News Now)

In Professor Wilburn’s scenic painting course, students mirror professional practices by replicating designs. Wilburn created a watercolor, Victorian-inspired set and assigned each student a numbered “day” to recreate.

They learned advanced blending and color-matching techniques before working together to complete 4-by-4-foot pieces for outdoor display.

With just 15 hours in class, the project emphasized vital skills like time and project management for their future careers.

“Scene painting is a great career choice for theatre,” Wilburn explained.

“There are great job options, and we have found that the more our students have advanced, varied skill sets, the more jobs are open and available to them when they graduate.”

Through the project, students gained hands-on skills, from time management to color theory, working for a real client, which opened doors for future opportunities in and beyond the theatrical field.

“What we teach in theatre is ultimately creative problem solving. … There is value in that,” Wilburn said. “There are so many ways that you can use your degree that maybe isn’t a traditional theatrical show, but is it a theatrical event? And Garden Glow is a theatrical event; it tells a story, and it is a themed environment.”

“You can go out and find work no matter where you are with your theatrical degree,” he concluded.