Jaclyn Arens
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B-Y Electric member Robbie Jelsma recently completed a mural to commemorate Tabor’s 150th anniversary. Robbie was approached by Mark Povondra from the Tabor Chamber of Commerce about the mural. They worked together on the design and decided on a Tabor themed collage that included the old Cardinal mascot, a Tabor baseball player, Czech Days, and agriculture.
Robbie was born and raised on a farm outside of Springfield and graduated from Bon Homme High School in 2010. He played football at SDSU and studied Construction & Engineering Management, Business, and Graphic Design.
After graduating from SDSU, Robbie began working in project management for an engineering firm based in Chicago. He moved around the country for a few years while continuing his art business on the side. In 2018, he decided to move back to the Springfield area and pursue art full time.
When asked how he developed his skills, Robbie said, “I’ve always been artistic, but it was always a side hobby outside of school and sports. It’s always what I’ve done to center and express myself.”
Robbie’s primary art business is tattooing. However, he also does oil painting on canvas and writes poetry in addition to murals.
He began painting murals shortly after graduating from SDSU. The first murals he painted were in Brookings. He has also completed murals in Redfield and Sioux Falls.
Robbie enjoys projects where people have big ideas and allow him the creative freedom to make their dream a reality. He pushes himself on each project and gives the client a piece of himself in each work of art.
You can learn more about Robbie’s work and contact him through his website www.portfolio51.com or by following Portfolio 51 on Facebook and Instagram.
As a final word, Robbie said, “Just a big thank you to everyone who enjoys art and supports artists. Art does a lot for people on a personal and community level, especially through crazy times, economically or politically. I would like to add - I believe everyone is an ‘artist’ even if they don’t know it yet. Life is art.”