The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center is hosting a book signing of “Spirit Land,” a photographic tribute to Spearfish Canyon, by authors Jan and Bob Sisk, on Saturday, May 3, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in The Matthews’ Art Gallery.
Tom Matthews will be a guest at the signing, due to their family’s contribution to the production of the book. The book being offered comes both soft cover and hard cover, priced $20 and $50 respectively. The soft cover books are currently on sale at the gallery, while the hard copies will be made available on the day of the signing!
“Spirit Land” is an interpretive pictorial that celebrates the timeless beauty of Spearfish Canyon. Classic quotes, stunning scenes, and common plants and animals fill the pages to make it the perfect keepsake.
A tribute to the Matthews’ family
This first edition provides a beautiful tribute for the Matthews family, specifically, Thomas R. Matthews (1898-1946) and his wife, Angela Haire Matthews (1914-2008). Tom Matthews and his sister, Katherine Matthews Rucinsky’s contributions helped make this book possible, along with The Angela Haire Matthews Memorial Fund.
About Jan and Bob Sisk
Authors and photographers are lifelong South Dakotans. Bob was born, raised, and educated in Spearfish. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed a 27-year career as a high school biology teacher. Bob’s slide presentation prepared students for field identification of birds and plants. Jan is also a northern Black Hills native, born in Deadwood and raised in Lead. She was educated in Sioux Falls and taught taught high school English for 17 years.
The couple enjoys the best of two worlds: they live on the prairie near Newell and treasure their rustic cabin in the Black Hills.
“As longtime educators, we look forward to new challenges. Retirement has given us the opportunity to combine our talents, to appreciate and be amazed. We watch, wonder, and gather wisdom as we learn just a few more of nature’s many secrets,
remarks Jan.