A River Runs Through It
February 26 – July 21, 2019
In Paul A. Johnsgard’s book, Crane Music: A Natural History of American Cranes, the author writes, “There is a river in the heart of North America that annually gathers together the watery largess of melting Rocky Mountain snowfields and glaciers and spills wildly down the eastern slopes of Colorado and Wyoming. Reaching the plains, it quickly loses its momentum and begins to spread out and flow slowly across Nebraska from west to east. As it does so, it cuts a sinuous tracery through the native prairies that has been followed by millennia by both men and animals. The river is the Platte.” This exhibition explores the artwork inspired by the Platte River – from the sounds and sights of the land, flora, and fauna that surround, inhabit, and visit it to the sky that stretches far above. Works included are by such artists as Leoda Davis, Terry Evans, Michael Forsberg, Paul Johnsgard, Karen Kunc, Tom Mangelsen, Joel Sartore, Wendy Weiss & Jay Kreimer, Worthington Whittredge, among others.

Learn more about art in one-hour presentations by regional experts.

FREE and open to the public.


Rick Brown: Verbatim: All I Did Was AskWednesday, July 24 • 2:00 p.m.
Kearney Hub arts and entertainment reporter Rick Brown shares snippets of his conversations recorded with Nebraska artists during his 13 years of writing about the art scene in central Nebraska. Brown studied media production at the University of Arizona. His background in music and theater includes work with Arizona Theater Company, writing award-winning plays as well as a 17-year stint as a producer and host of a 30-minute children’s show on non-commercial radio stations. He writes a weekly art column for the Kearney Hub and covers the arts in mid Nebraska. In his spare time, Rick plays the accordion, tells stories, makes fine art mobiles, and collects twigs.

Spotlight On: Leonard Thiessen
July 26 – October 27, 2019
Leonard Thiessen, most remembered as an art critic for the Omaha World-Herald and the first director of the Nebraska Arts Council, left a lasting impact on Nebraska’s art scene. Spotlight On: Leonard Thiessen showcases many of his seldom-seen works in MONA’s collection. From paintings to prints, drawings to experimental artistic musings, the Museum of Nebraska Art has over 100 pieces by the artist in addition to an extensive archive of his papers and ephemera.

Untutored Life Drawing
This untutored life drawing class offers access to experienced models in a relaxed atmosphere. No instruction is offered at these sessions, which are for those wishing to develop their life drawing skills. Poses are timed and moderated. Easels and drawing boards are provided. Participants bring their own paper and drawing supplies.

Saturdays: July 27, August 3, 10
Time: 10:00 a.m.-noon.
Age: 18+
Cost: $36 per session (MONA members); $46 (non-members)
Register by: Friday, July 26 (session 2)