Kevin Costner can't take sculptures with him when he sells Black Hills attraction

Supreme Court reverses lower court's decision in favor of South Dakota artist

Sioux Falls lawyer Andy Damgaard argued on behalf of artist Peggy Detmers at the South Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Detmers is suing actor Kevin Costner over the fate of sculptures she created in the 1990s. (David Bordewyk, South Dakota Newspaper Association)

Actor Kevin Costner’s hopes of moving several bronze sculptures from their location in the Black Hills took a blow this week. But until he actually does, he hasn’t breached the contract at the center of an ongoing dispute with the artist who created them for the movie and television star three decades ago.

The South Dakota Supreme Court Thursday reversed a trial court ruling that had allowed the famous South Dakota landowner to relocate the art pieces depicting bison and Indian warriors without approval from the sculptor, Peggy Detmers.

Detmers brought a suit against Costner after the actor sought a buyer for a Black Hills tourist attraction called Tatanka that houses the sculptures, commissioned by Costner in the 1990s. While Costner intends to take the sculptures with him when the property sells, Detmers contends her agreement with Costner stipulates the relocation of the art pieces requires the sculptures be sold with royalties being shared with her.

NEWS: Democratic executive director quits, accuses chair of mismanaging party