The Black Hills as Home and Artwork: A Conversation with Dick Termes
Dick Termes, the visionary behind the Termesphere, was the first artist to collaborate with MOVA Globes, helping to pioneer an entirely new kind of rotating design. In his latest creation, the Black Hills Termesphere, Dick returns to his roots, crafting a tribute to his lifelong home. We caught up with him to explore how South Dakota’s Black Hills have shaped his life, his work, and his one-of-a-kind Termesphere Gallery.
How long have you called the Black Hills home?
Dick Termes: I've lived here for nearly 74 years. My parents were based in the Black Hills before relocating to California during WWII for shipyard work—where I was born—but we returned, and I’ve been here ever since. Despite receiving various opportunities to move to larger cities or coastal regions, the Black Hills have always been my creative haven. There’s something truly special about this place.
In what ways has the Black Hills landscape inspired your artwork?
Many of my spherical paintings have incorporated imagery from the region, though it's more about the feeling the Black Hills give me. I’m at ease here, and that ease fuels my creativity. When I feel relaxed, I produce my best work.
Your Black Hills Termesphere showcases a collection of sites rather than a single scene. What inspired that approach?
When I think about the Black Hills, it’s impossible to focus on just one location. So many iconic sites come to mind—Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Spearfish Canyon, the Needles Highway—they all form part of the larger identity of the region. The sphere allows me to honour multiple landscapes and symbols in one cohesive piece.
How did you decide which landmarks to include?
Having spent a lifetime here, these are simply the images that naturally surface in my mind. They’re instantly recognisable to both locals and tourists. It felt right to include the places that define the area’s character and beauty.
What would you like people to take away from this globe?
I hope it serves as a visual invitation to visit the Black Hills—to see the sites for themselves and appreciate how rich and vibrant this area is. I also see it as the perfect keepsake, something meaningful that visitors can take home as a memento of their experience here.
Tell us about the Termesphere Gallery—how did it come about?
We built the Termesphere Gallery in 1994 as a dedicated public space to showcase my work. Before that, my home was the exhibition space, and visits were by appointment only. The gallery itself is a 36-foot geodesic dome, constructed specifically to display my spherical artwork. I also have a second dome studio where I paint—I've worked on spheres as large as seven and a half feet in diameter there.
Why choose a dome as the structure?
Back in 1972, I met Buckminster Fuller, the inventor of the geodesic dome. Spending a few days with him was transformative. He inspired me not only to build a dome but also opened my eyes to the geometric harmony between his architectural ideas and my six-point perspective in spherical painting.
What makes a visit to your gallery different from a typical art museum?
The gallery experience is immersive and unexpected. Visitors are often amazed when they walk in—it’s unlike any traditional space. I remember someone popping their head in to “take a quick look” and then staying for two hours. That happens often!
The art challenges viewers with its multi-dimensional perspectives, semi-transparent forms, optical illusions, interior architectural depictions, subconscious dreamscapes, and even solar-powered MOVA Globes featuring my Termespheres.
Want to visit?
If you’re travelling through South Dakota’s Black Hills, stop by the Termesphere Gallery at:
1920 Christensen Dr, Spearfish, SD 57783
