It was an incredible night as The Matthews was honored with the Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition isn’t just about a single moment, it’s a tribute to the generations of artists, leaders, and community members who have made The Matthews what it is today.
Our Executive Director, Heath Johnson, shared a reflection on what this award means:
“I feel like the kid in the school group project who doesn’t do anything but shows up for the presentation and still gets an A. The truth is, The Matthews exists today because of the countless people who kept it going through the years, shaping it into the community pillar it has become. I’m just one of many who have had the privilege of carrying the torch, and my highest hope is to honor their legacy.
Their decisions made long ago laid the foundation for what The Matthews is today. We’re standing on the shoulders of giants.
Leading an arts and culture hub is more than just running a venue. It means providing a voice and a space for our community to express its humanity. That’s not a light burden to bear. It’s an honor that comes with great responsibility.
The people who recognized that responsibility and carried it forward deserve our deepest gratitude. From Thomas Matthews answering the town’s call for a performance theater, to Margaret Kelley refusing to let it be anything other than a theater, to those who continue that legacy today, The Matthews has remained a special part of Spearfish and the Black Hills region.
It’s an honor to be a part of this ongoing story and to work alongside our small but passionate team to give artists and performers a stage to share their talents.
This award isn’t just a recognition of the past, but a reminder of the responsibility we have to shape its next chapter.
To everyone who has supported The Matthews, past, present, and future, thank you. This place has been over 100 years in the making, and in many ways, its best years are still ahead.”
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead to the future. If you’d like to be part of shaping the next chapter of The Matthews, we invite you to donate, attend an event, or get involved. Your support, whether through attending a show, becoming a member, sponsoring a program, or simply spreading the word, helps keep The Matthews a thriving home for arts, culture, and community.
Thank you for being part of this story. The best is yet to come.
Presented by [far right] Lana Grout – Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member
