MONA

Spirit: A Celebration of Art in the Heartland 2018

MONA North

Photographs © Nic Lehoux
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Discover the story behind the Art of Nebraska

MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART

DISCOVER THE STORY BEHIND THE ART OF NEBRASKA

NOW OPEN!

The Museum of Nebraska Art showcases dynamic exhibitions featuring works from MONA’s esteemed permanent collection alongside powerful creations by contemporary artists. As the only museum in the state solely dedicated to championing the art and artists of Nebraska, MONA has redefined its visitor experience with new exhibition spaces, enlarged areas for public programming, enhanced amenities, and improved accessibility.

2401 Central Avenue, downtown Kearney, NE.
Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays and major holidays

FREE ADMISSION

ARTreach

MONA’s ARTreach program provides exhibitions to various communities throughout Nebraska. The ARTreach fees include delivery to the exhibition venue, installation of the show, labels and didactics, educational support as needed, and deinstallation and return to MONA after the exhibition’s close. With professional assistance in managing the exhibition each step of the way, ARTreach exhibitions share MONA’s collection with a variety of venues across the state. To learn more about ARTreach, please call the Museum at (308) 865-8559.

PROGRAMS

MONA serves as a catalyst for visitor learning and enjoyment through its exhibitions, docent-led tours, hands-on workshops, and artist talks bringing the art of Nebraska to life. Our ARTreach program provides traveling exhibitions to communities all over the state.

Feature Exhibitions

Magic and Loss: Charley Friedman and Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Gina Garden

May 3-July 20, 2025 Magic and Loss is a collaborative exhibition by married artists Charley Friedman and Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez exploring themes of creation, destruction, and transformation through distinct but interconnected bodies of work. Together, their work creates a mystically transformed space in the Museum’s new John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation Gallery for an immersive and Read More

In Search of Ourselves: A Reinstallation of the Museum of Nebraska Art’s Permanent Collection

Posted on April 28, 2025May 2, 2025 by Gina Garden

May 3, 2025- July 2027 This reinstallation of MONA’s permanent collection surveys the entirety of the collection through a thematic lens—a significant shift from the Museum’s previous approach of presenting the collection chronologically by four eras: artist-explorers, early Nebraskans, modern artists, and art of today. In Search of Ourselves dives deeply into various areas of Read More

MONA’s Annual Appeal – 2024

Posted on November 10, 2023September 25, 2024 by Rick Schuessler

Make an Impact on the ART of Nebraska Support MONA’s Annual Appeal. MONA’s programs provide a unique platform for the arts, bringing people together, and encouraging critical and meaningful engagement. Three easy ways to give: Online: At mona.unk.edu By Mail: MONA | 2401 Central Avenue | Kearney, NE 68847 Phone: 308-865-8559 Your gift ensures that Read More

The Lives of Objects: Still Lifes from the MONA Collection

Posted on October 18, 2023February 21, 2024 by Gina Garden

Still life is a genre in art, otherwise known as a category of subject like landscape or figurative, that depicts human-made or natural objects. At first mention, the term may invoke images of flowers in a vase or an arrangement of fruit, but the broad definition of still life means the genre has seemingly endless Read More

Ruth G. Waddy: A Printmaking Prophet

Posted on October 18, 2023February 29, 2024 by Gina Garden

Ruth G. Waddy (1909-2003) came to artmaking later in life, during her early fifties, as an effort to build stronger relationships with artists and improve her advocacy skills. As a result, Waddy created artwork in response to the world around her, incorporating political and social commentary related to the Black community to which she belonged Read More

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	May 2025
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1	2	3 MONA Grand Reopening Celebration MONA Grand Reopening Celebration Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 3, 2025 - 11:59 pm Location: 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) to Reopen with Grand Celebration on May 3, 2025 The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated reopening on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Following an extensive expansion, restoration, and renovation, MONA will unveil its revitalized historic building and a brand-new 23,000-square-foot expansion, marking a new chapter for Nebraska’s art and cultural community. The reimagined museum will showcase dynamic exhibitions featuring works from MONA’s esteemed permanent collection alongside powerful creations by contemporary artists. As the only museum in the state solely dedicated to championing the art and artists of Nebraska, MONA has redefined its visitor experience with new exhibition spaces, enlarged areas for public programming, enhanced amenities, and improved accessibility—all located at its historic home at 2401 Central Avenue, downtown Kearney, NE. Opening Weekend Celebration To commemorate this milestone, MONA invites the community to a day of free festivities on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Guests of all ages will enjoy: Hands-on art-making activities Interactive experiences Live performances by local artists and musicians This grand reopening promises to honor MONA’s legacy while offering an inspiring glimpse into its future as a hub for creativity and community connection. For more information about the reopening and upcoming events, visit mona.unk.edu or follow MONA on social media. More details... •
4	5	6 MONA - Open Studio MONA - Open Studio Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 6, 2025 - 11:59 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: Open Studio Community Studio May 6, 13, 20, 27 \| All Day Free Event (Registration required) Limited to 25 participants · Bring your own art supplies, or use the suppliesand art prompt provided. · Featured Artist Prompt for May: Round TripTime by Barbara Takenaga More details... MONA Book Club MONA Book Club Starts: 10:30 am Ends: May 6, 2025 - 11:30 am Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: MONA Book Club Gary E. Zaruba Library May 6 \| 10:30-11:30 AM May - The Art Collector’s Daughter by Derville Murphy More details... • •	7 The Art of Well-Being Series Presents: The Art of Presence – Yoga with Lori Cody The Art of Well-Being Series Presents: The Art of Presence – Yoga with Lori Cody Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 7, 2025 - 11:59 pm Description: The Art of Well-Being Series Presents: The Art of Presence – Yoga with Lori Cody Founders Gallery May 7, 14, 21, 28 \| 9:30-11:00 AM A unique experience blending yoga with MONA’s artwork to cultivate mindfulness and deep connection through movement and visual storytelling. Limited to 20 participants Open to individuals ages 15 and up. Cost: $50 members / $60 non-members (all four sessions) Drop-In: $15 (single class) Register Here More details... ARTisTRY: Australian Hinge Book Making with Deanna Jesse ARTisTRY: Australian Hinge Book Making with Deanna Jesse Starts: 1:30 pm Ends: May 7, 2025 - 2:30 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: ARTisTRY: Australian Hinge Book Making with Deanna Jesse Community Studio May 7 \| 1:30 PM Limited to 10 participants Open to individuals ages 15 and up. Cost: $25 members / $30 non-members All supplies provided Register Here More details... • •	8	9	10 First Saturday – Guest Artists: UNK Wrestling Team First Saturday – Guest Artists: UNK Wrestling Team Starts: 10:30 am Ends: May 10, 2025 - 12:00 pm Description: First Saturday – Guest Artists: UNK Wrestling Team Join the UNK wrestling team for a morning filled withcreativity and art-making! Community Studio May 10 \| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Wrestlers will join children (ages 5-14) for collaborative painting sessions. Free Event (Registration required) Limited to 25 participants Register Here More details... •
11	12	13 MONA - Open Studio MONA - Open Studio Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 13, 2025 - 11:59 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: Open Studio Community Studio May 13, 20, 27 \| All Day Free Event (Registration required) Limited to 25 participants · Bring your own art supplies, or use the suppliesand art prompt provided. · Featured Artist Prompt for May: Round TripTime by Barbara Takenaga More details... •	14 Homeschool Art Homeschool Art Starts: 10:30 am Ends: May 14, 2025 - 12:00 pm Description: Homeschool Art Community Studio May 14 \| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Open to Homeschool students between the ages 5-14. Limited to 15 participants Cost: $30 per student/$50 per family One parent/guardian will need to accompany each family group. FULL - REGISTRATION CLOSED! More details... Collection Connection: “Artist Explorers” with Karen Park & Sandy Mahalek Collection Connection: “Artist Explorers” with Karen Park & Sandy Mahalek Starts: 1:30 pm Ends: May 14, 2025 - 3:00 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: Collection Connection: “Artist Explorers” with Karen Park& Sandy Founders Gallery May 14 \| 1:30 – 3:00 PM Free Event More details... • •	15	16	17
18	19	20 MONA - Open Studio MONA - Open Studio Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 20, 2025 - 11:59 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: Open Studio Community Studio May 20, 27 \| All Day Free Event (Registration required) Limited to 25 participants · Bring your own art supplies, or use the suppliesand art prompt provided. · Featured Artist Prompt for May: Round TripTime by Barbara Takenaga More details... •	21 Homeschool Art Homeschool Art Starts: 10:30 am Ends: May 21, 2025 - 12:00 pm Description: Homeschool Art Community Studio May 21 \| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Open to Homeschool students between the ages 5-14. Limited to 15 participants Cost: $30 per student/$50 per family One parent/guardian will need to accompany each family group. FULL - REGISTRATION CLOSED! More details... •	22	23	24
25	26	27 MONA - Open Stuidio MONA - Open Stuidio Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 27, 2025 - 11:59 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: Open Studio Community Studio May 27 \| All Day Free Event (Registration required) Limited to 25 participants · Bring your own art supplies, or use the suppliesand art prompt provided. · Featured Artist Prompt for May: Round TripTime by Barbara Takenaga More details... •	28 Homeschool Art Homeschool Art Starts: 10:30 am Ends: May 28, 2025 - 12:00 pm Description: Homeschool Art Community Studio May 28 \| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Open to Homeschool students between the ages 5-14. Limited to 15 participants Cost: $30 per student/$50 per family One parent/guardian will need to accompany each family group. FULL - REGISTRATION CLOSED! More details... •	29 DEMONSTRATION SERIES: Lampworking by Chris Haussler DEMONSTRATION SERIES: Lampworking by Chris Haussler Starts: 6:30 pm Ends: May 29, 2025 - 8:00 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: DEMONSTRATIONSERIES: Lampworking by Chris Haussler Community Studio May 29 \| 6:30 – 8:00 PM Limited to 20 participants Free Event (Registration required) Register Here More details... •	30 The Radiant Sky with Beth Cole The Radiant Sky with Beth Cole Starts: 1:00 pm Ends: May 30, 2025 - 4:00 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: The Radiant Sky with Beth Cole Community Studio May 30 \| 1:00 – 4:00 PM Limited to 12 participants Cost: $60 members / $70 non-members Open to individuals ages 15 and up. Workshop Description The sky gives us endless possibilitiesas painters. In this workshop you will create a painting based on the view ofthe sky during the golden hour as the sun sinks toward the horizon. Many timesthere is such a beautiful gradation of color from horizon to the crest of thesky at this time of day. This is what we will practice along with a fewfloating clouds. Who It Is For This is aworkshop for anyone who appreciates the sky and wants to learn more about how to create aglowing and radiant painting. Some painting experience will be helpful. You will learn how to . . . Simplify the subject Create a value thumbnail Tone your surface before painting Place elements with reference points Unify your paint mixes with a mother color Mix and match your paint colors Create atmosphere with layers of paint Enjoy the painting process What To Bring: *Beth will provide four sky photos you may choose from duringthe workshop. If you would like to use your ownsky photos, that’s wonderful. Please bring them with you. Sketchbook and pencil Brushes, I use flats 2, 4, 6 Palette knife for mixing paint Small empty jar with lid for odorless mineral spirits If you have oil paints to which you are accustomed, pleasefeel free to bring them. More details... •	31 The Radiant Sky with Beth Cole Community Studio May 30 \| 1:00 – 4:00 PM AND May 31 \| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Limited to 12 participants • Cost: $60 members / $70 non-members • Open to individuals ages 15 and up. • Workshop Description The sky gives us endless possibilities as painters. In this workshop you will create a painting based on the view of the sky during the golden hour as the sun sinks toward the horizon. Many times there is such a beautiful gradation of color from horizon to the crest of the sky at this time of day. This is what we will practice along with a few floating clouds. • Who It Is For This is a workshop for anyone who appreciates the sky and wants to learn more about how create a glowing and radiant painting. Some painting experience will be helpful. • What You Will Learn o How to…  Simplify the subject  Create a value thumbnail  Tone your surface before painting  Place elements with reference points  Unify your paint mixes with a mother color  Mix and match your paint colors  Cr The Radiant Sky with Beth Cole Community Studio May 30 \| 1:00 – 4:00 PM AND May 31 \| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Limited to 12 participants • Cost: $60 members / $70 non-members • Open to individuals ages 15 and up. • Workshop Description The sky gives us endless possibilities as painters. In this workshop you will create a painting based on the view of the sky during the golden hour as the sun sinks toward the horizon. Many times there is such a beautiful gradation of color from horizon to the crest of the sky at this time of day. This is what we will practice along with a few floating clouds. • Who It Is For This is a workshop for anyone who appreciates the sky and wants to learn more about how create a glowing and radiant painting. Some painting experience will be helpful. • What You Will Learn o How to…  Simplify the subject  Create a value thumbnail  Tone your surface before painting  Place elements with reference points  Unify your paint mixes with a mother color  Mix and match your paint colors  Cr Starts: 9:00 am Ends: May 31, 2025 - 12:00 pm Location: MONA, 2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA Description: The Radiant Sky with Beth Cole Community Studio May 31 \| 9:00AM – 12:00 PM Limited to 12 participants Cost: $60 members / $70 non-members Open to individuals ages 15 and up. The sky gives us endless possibilitiesas painters. In this workshop you will create a painting based on the view ofthe sky during the golden hour as the sun sinks toward the horizon. Many timesthere is such a beautiful gradation of color from horizon to the crest of thesky at this time of day. This is what we will practice along with a fewfloating clouds. Who It Is For This is aworkshop for anyone who appreciates the sky and wants to learn more about how to create aglowing and radiant painting. Some painting experience will be helpful. You Will Learn How To: Simplify the subject Create a value thumbnail Tone your surface before painting Place elements with reference points Unify your paint mixes with a mother color Mix and match your paint colors Create atmosphere with layers of paint Enjoy the painting process What To Bring: *Beth will provide four sky photos you may choose from duringthe workshop. If you would like to use your ownsky photos, that’s wonderful. Please bring them with you. Sketchbook and pencil Brushes, I use flats 2, 4, 6 Palette knife for mixing paint Small empty jar with lid for odorless mineral spirits If you have oil paints to which you are accustomed, pleasefeel free to bring them. More details... •

MONA

Museum of Nebraska Art

MONA North

MONAWestEntryNight

FrontDesk

Gallery1

Gallery2

Gallery3

Gallery4

Gallery 5

Gallery6

CommunityStudio

MONA

MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART

NOW OPEN!

ARTreach

PROGRAMS

Magic and Loss: Charley Friedman and Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez

In Search of Ourselves: A Reinstallation of the Museum of Nebraska Art’s Permanent Collection

MONA’s Annual Appeal – 2024

The Lives of Objects: Still Lifes from the MONA Collection

Ruth G. Waddy: A Printmaking Prophet

Curtiss W. Routh: MONA collection artwork

Ed Dadey: MONA collection artwork

Tad Lauritzen Wright: MONA collection artwork

Nelson Dungan: MONA collection artwork

Nik Ratzlaff: MONA collection artwork

The Art of Well-Being Series Presents: The Art of Presence – Yoga with Lori Cody