Collecting Nebraska Exhibit at the Great Plains Museum of Art

Now that 2017 is drawing to a close, the Nebraska sesquicentennial events are coming to close. This makes me a bit sad. While there will always be events that celebrate Nebraska found across the state, the feeling of celebration of all that is great about our state may gradually dwindle down. But for one more month, you can experience that feeling of beautiful Nebraska at the “Collecting Nebraska” exhibit that is found at the Great Plains Museum of Art.

Normally exhibits are brought in from other places. Since “Collecting Nebraska” is a part of their permanent collection, I can share you with actual images this time. Narrowing down what to show you was a bit of a challenge. I think I could have taken a picture of each piece of artwork because they were all so varied and interesting. “Collecting Nebraska” represents well. But not only would showing every piece make for a REALLY long blog post, you would have no reason to go see the artwork for yourself.

That is ultimately my goal. I want you to go down and wander. In case you have never been to this museum, all you have to do is go across the street from the Lied Center in downtown Lincoln. And there is even a connected parking garage. The gallery is smaller, so you may even be in and out while you still have time on your free hour of parking.

Right when you walk in to the left, you will see pictures taken by Michael Forsberg. If you are not familiar with this Nebraska conservation photographer, you need to be. His pictures are amazing. His intentionality is inspiring. And his center photograph happens to be the one that was picked by the US Post Office to be Nebraska’s sesquicentennial stamp. Isn’t his “Evening Passage” a beautiful photograph.

My feature image happens to show one of the oldest paintings owned by the museum. Herman Schwabe painted “Nebraska from the Iowa Side” in 1872. His perspective of Omaha near its beginning is a beautiful rendition. Definitely a different view than what you see today.

Since my Grandpa and Uncles were farmers, this “Generations” painting also spoke to me. The fact that time continues to pass as the seasons pass by is very true of those involved with agriculture. The land continues to change as people also continue to grow. Since Artist Mark Mosseman used his own father as the model, that made the painting even more meaningful.

Besides photography and paintings, a few bronzes are also on display as a part of “Collecting Nebraska.” One Nebraska location that I hope to visit someday is the Mignery Sculpture Garden near Bartlett. Getting a sneak peak of Herb Mignery sculptures was enjoyable. His bronze pieces are distinctive and symbolize the struggles of the West.

How to see “Collecting Nebraska”

Please do take the time to go see the exhibit for yourself. These are the hours posted on their website.

Open Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Closed Mondays, Sundays, holiday weekends, and between exhibitions | Free admission They are closed November 23-35 for Thanksgiving.