Travelers driving north on I-29 towards Watertown may have a hard time believing what they are seeing on the horizon! Several miles south of the town, rising majestically from the prairie landscape a gigantic structure will begin to appear on the horizon.

This magnificent building, designed by Charles Redlin is the Redlin Art Center, the home of Terry Redlin's collection of original paintings.

The Redlin Art Center which opened in June 1997 is located just off of I- 29 (Exit 177) on U.S. Highway 212.

The structure is a magnificent 52,000 square foot brick building with white granite columns that reach 38 feet skyward. The design was inspired by the Egyptian Revival period and its huge granite columns resemble the large southern mansions of the Civil War period.

Once inside, the finishes change to polished granite. The main floor of the gallery is covered with more than 9,000 square feet of white granite tile.

The interior is decorated with over 24,900 square feet of granite from countries throughout the world including India and Africa.

The grand entrance welcomes you to more than 10,000 square feet of black Galaxy granite brought in from India. The same black granite can be seen behind the railings in the Gallery. The walls of the Gallery are lined with another 5,900 square feet of white Impala granite from Africa.

For those of you that don't get out much or haven't heard of Terry Redlin, he's a Master Artist, one of the countries most popular and widely collected wildlife and Americana artists. For eight years in a row 1991-1998 he was voted America's Most Popular Artist by U.S. Art magazine and in 1992 inducted into the U.S. Arts Hall of Fame.

As you stroll through the Gallery of the Redlin Art Center you'll find 150 of Terry's original oil paintings on display. At the time the center opened in 1997, every painting Terry had completed beginning in 1985 was permanently displayed in the gallery.

A huge supporter of wildlife and the organizations that work hard to preserve them, Terry's art work has raised over $40 million dollars for numerous wildlife conservation groups including Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

In 1999, the Art Center heard about an estate auction being held in Minnesota where 15 of Terry's older originals would be sold. Charles Redlin, Terry's son and President of the Art Center Foundation, felt they should purchase these originals and display them at the Art Center. Since his father had sold most of his paintings between 1977 and 1984, the center was unable to have an original work from each year of Terry's career. After purchasing these originals the gallery now has original paintings by Terry from 1978-1985.

Terry retired from painting in 2007 and even though he no longer paints, his paintings displayed at the Art Center depict some of nature's most beautiful scenes, reminding us of those glorious days gone by.

The Redlin Art Center, gallery & museum offers wildlife & Americana art lovers the opportunity to view some of Terry's finest works from throughout his career.

The Art Center not only displays Terry's original works but also has a gift shop and the Comforts of Home Cabin. They also offer free concerts and other art displays throughout the year.

During June 1-Aug. 9, 2008, the Redlin Art Center will host "Norman Rockwell in the 40's A View of the American Homefront," a collection of 44 framed tearsheets from The Saturday Evening Post, magazine covers. Included in the collection will be Rockwell's Famous "Four Freedoms."

On Saturday Aug. 2, 2008, the Redlin Art Center will be the home of a "free" concert given by the Oak Ridge Boys. The concert is held on the north grounds of the center where attendees can spread their lawn chairs from the rear of the center to the gazebos and the lake along the north parking lot. Past free concerts held at the Art Center were given by Lee Greenwood, Ronnie Milsap and Larry Gatlin.

Since the Redlin Art Center is Terry's gift to the State of South Dakota and all its visitors, there is no admission charge to the gallery! The Center is open year round with its hours of operation being Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday: noon-4 p.m.

As a native of Watertown, I travel home to film and visit on a regular basis. Every time I do, I stop by the Redlin Art Center, because there's always something new going on at the center and to have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Terry's art work.

If you haven't had the chance to stop by to see and visit the Redlin Art Center, you're missing the opportunity to see a splendid building and the outstanding work of one of America's finest wildlife and Americana artist.

For more information on the Redlin Art Center go to www.redlinart.com.

Gary Howey is the producer/Host of the Outdoorsmen Adventures television series which is seen throughout the upper Midwest. For more information on the outdoors, go to his web site at www.outdoorsmenadventures.com You can contact him at outdoorsmenproductions@hartel.net.