Korsten Arts

28/08/2026

"Perseverance is an active principle, and cannot continue to operate but under the influence of desire." -William Godwin

Somewhere in the middle of a cell-free zone in South Dakota, there's a small, but once bustling town that thrives no more. At its peak, there were 300 residents living in Capa, a picturesque, remote community that grew up along the railroad.

The Great Depression took its toll on the area, as did construction of a highway that took a different path.

By 1960, passenger trains no longer traveled through, starting a rural exodus in the area. The 1976 closing of the post office prompted most of the remaining residents away...all but one, Philip O’Connor, who lived in this home. A descendent of original settlers, he persevered longer than everyone else.

Now, there are only memories, along with remnants of a hotel, a few homes, a barn, the school and a church.

Canon USA

27/08/2026

"An artist is not special. An artist is an ordinary person who can take ordinary things and make them special." -Ruth Asawa

This particular morning presented an entirely ordinary scene as it was unfolding into something extraordinary.

Driving east on I-90 toward Worthington, MN the countryside was thick with fog, and the morning sun was just starting to burn through it. After turning north on Hwy 60, the morning glow was pierced by several objects beginning to appear in the distance near Brewster. It was the town's rural grain elevator and the railroad tracks that service it glistened in the morning glow...the scene was magical...

Would you agree?

Canon USA National Park Photography Expeditions

26/08/2026

The world lost a one-of-a-kind cultural icon today…

— Artwork by Michael de Adder

17/08/2026

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." -Robert Louis Stevenson

Today we are enjoying the harvest from seeds we planted earlier, as two images from our "Payday in the Heartland" series were accepted into the "Living Space" online global exhibition by Artdoc Photography Magazine. We love that this work, which is so meaningful to us, is proving to also be meaningful to others around the globe.

The images selected are in the comments below.

National Park Photography Expeditions

Living Space is a global online photography exhibition exploring the spaces we inhabit — cityscapes, interiors, architecture, and everyday life.

08/08/2026

"If you do not expect the unexpected you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail." -Heraclitus

If you are aware of the Greek island of Santorini, you no doubt know some of the island's most recognizable features are the traditional Greek Orthodox churches perched on the cliffs of the caldera. Their iconic and vibrant blue color contrasting with whitewashed walls and the Aegean Sea defines the experience most visitors seek to find and photograph.

Another feature of the island (and Greek islands in general) that isn't discussed very often is the colorful doors that ooze with individuality and character. They're everywhere and literally no two are the same. We'd be happy doing a whole study on these doors.

In this image, we captured an area with those uniquely colorful doors with an added bonus of the shadow of a Greek Orthodox church's dome...it's not a dome as you would expect, this is a different story. :-)

Canon USA | | | | | | | Santorini

07/08/2026

“Stretching endlessly under the open sky, the cornfield glows like a golden ocean. Every ear of corn tells a story of patience, sunshine, and nurturing soil.” — Corey Draskovich

Can an image of a cornfield be viewed as art? We no longer wrestle with that question because we know that behind each expansive field there are stories that carry weight and meaning, the basis of all art.

In this image, there is beauty in the rolling terrain...the colors, textures and lines leading our eyes to the horizon. At one time long ago, an early settler looked on this same land and said, "I will build my life here, in this place. And maybe, just maybe, my heirs will do the same."

A barn, a silo, and other buildings were built along with a home to support their dream of making a living in this very place. And trees were planted to shield their family from the cold north winds brought by winter on the plains.

This image doesn't just represent the efforts of the field's current caretaker, but all those who cared for the land before, and all those who will care for it into the future.

Canon USA | | | | | Arts South Dakota | South Dakota Arts Council | National Park Photography Expeditions | Farmers Life

14/07/2026

"Colors answer feeling in man; shapes answer thought; and motion answers will." -John Sterling

On the chromatic shores of the Greek island of Mykonos, visitors are invited to experience a moment where vibrant architecture meets the golden glow of sunset. This photograph captures a row of colorful seaside buildings perched above calm waters, each reflecting its own character through rich reds, blues, yellows, and whites. This image celebrates the quiet beauty found where land and sea converge, revealing the unique charm of this coastal setting.

Canon USA Color DiscoverGreece.com Visit Greece

13/07/2026

We are excited to "officially" kick-off our art photography exhibit entitled "Payday in the Heartland | The Dance" at this Friday evening's artist reception at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls.

Details on the schedule for the evening have just been released and we are scheduled for an interactive talk and Q&A at 6:30pm in Gallery 301. We will also be available to visit about this landmark project throughout the evening.

This is a casual, come-and-go event, so please come as you are able; we hope to see you there!

National Park Photography Expeditions Arts South Dakota South Dakota Arts Council Sioux Falls Arts Council

08/07/2026

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” –Nelson Henderson

Using intentional camera movement and artistic processing techniques, we created this image of people walking into a woods...who they were we don't know, but sitting with this image feels personal and deeply emotional. Emotional in what ways? We'll leave that to each of you...

Canon USA National Park Photography Expeditions Arts South Dakota South Dakota Arts Council

07/07/2026

Huge congratulations to our talented Mentor Program graduate team, Scott and Marilyn Korsten, who just had a piece selected for an international exhibition!

Their stunning photo, "American Rainforest 05," has been officially selected for Gardenia 2026, a juried international smart exhibition hosted by Exhibizone (based in Vancouver, Canada).

In “American Rainforest 05,” the Korstens masterfully capture the ancient, majestic soul of the Ho Rainforest through a dynamic use of light and texture. The golden moss blanketing the massive tree roots beautifully highlights the duo's exceptional eye for detail and composition.

This is a well-deserved recognition of their vision, dedication, and artistry, and we are so proud to see their work featured on the global stage. Please join us in celebrating Scott and Marilyn on this amazing milestone!