605 Magazine

“Theater is a collaborative art form where you're always working with other people,” said artistic director of Prairie Repertory Theatre Billy Wilburn. “You're never working alone; you're always part of a team.” Started in 1970, the South Dakota State University theater group has a two-part...

The Brookings Summer Arts Festival (BSAF) is a testimony to what a good idea and a lot of hard work can do, says Shari Avery. As a board member and the committee publicity chair of the event, Avery is one of many volunteers who come...

For eight years, 605 has hit the highway (and interstate) to explore South Dakota in all its glory for the team’s annual road trip. In July of 2025, the 605 Sprinter Van (Vincent Van-Go) pulled into Brookings—the state’s fourth largest city with a population of...

For Chuck Bennis, a hobby turned into a legitimate business. “Whether it's illustrations or large scale work, it’s about making that connection,” said Bennis, who resides in Brookings. The popular South Dakota artist specializes in digital illustrations and caricatures, but is widely known for his mural...

“This first year is about listening, learning, and setting a solid foundation, while also identifying early opportunities where we can demonstrate impact and build confidence in this new, collaborative model.” On April 2, the community welcomed CEO of the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance Lori Frederick...

At South Dakota State University (SDSU), there is a culture of giving, says senior associate athletic director for development Ryan Christy. One alumnus who started this movement was Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in Northern California. A 1958 graduate, Lohr continued to...

It’s not every day you meet the “Rhubarb King.” Sanderson Gardens’ owner Jan Sanderson (in his infamous overalls) invited 605 onto his 40 acres of farmland in Aurora just east of Brookings. “When I first moved here, I was five miles out of town,” said Jan....

From a James Beard Foundation Award Winner to “cow to cone” ice cream, Brookings has something to satiate any appetite. 605 ate and drank our way through town during the three days, checking out family-owned eateries and longtime local and visitor favorites. PHEASANT RESTAURANT &...

Through artistry, preparation, years of study, and tireless work, three University of South Dakota (USD) Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students debut their graduate thesis exhibition shows in Vermillion prior to graduation. Surface Rhythms, Mariom Manjury Nishe’s MFA exhibition alongside Mariana Astete’s Reensamblaje, is on...

Susan Anderson says her story is not much different from other members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP). Four years ago she joined as a volunteer as a response to a question she asked herself—”Where is my faith visible in the...