Exhibition Encounters | MONA’s Not Just A Book, Club | MONA Live | Sounds of Summer | Program Podcasts
Collection Connection
Learn more about art in one-hour presentations by regional experts. FREE and open to the public.
Art Thompson: Nebraska Interstate 80 Bicentennial Sculpture Project
Wednesday, May 24 • 2:00 p.m.
Art Thompson, President of the Cooper Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska, was Assistant Director of the University of Nebraska Union in the late 1960s and early 1970s when he was appointed Executive Director of the Nebraska Interstate 80 Bicentennial Sculpture Project. Eight works of public sculpture were commissioned for placement at rest areas along Interstate 80. After the project’s initial controversy, primarily because the selected art works were contemporary abstract sculptures by non-Nebraskans, the local communities eventually accepted them. Thompson relates his experience of working on the project, and discusses the importance of the role of public art in Nebraska.
Nebraska Arts Council 2016 Individual Artist Fellowship Awardees
Wednesday, June 28 • 2:00 p.m.
The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC) awarded its 2016 Individual Artist Fellowships to 10 Nebraska visual artists. The Distinguished Achievement Award winners were Sarah Berkeley, Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez, Josh Johnson, Bradley Peters, and Angie Seykora. The Merit Award winners were James Bockelman, Charley Friedman, David Gracie, Neil Griess, and Matthew Sontheimer. Join us at MONA for an afternoon discussion and exhibition reception with these engaging artists.
The Nebraska Arts Council 2016 Visual Artist Fellowships exhibition is on view until August 20, 2017.
Ann Matzke: Dix and Henri
Wednesday, July 26 • 2:00 p.m.
Author Ann Matzke, who specializes in writing for children and young adults, was the Library Media Specialist for Shelton, North Platte, and Gothenburg Public Schools from 2004 to 2010, and Children’s Director of the Wilson Public Library in Cozad from 2011 to 2015. While in Cozad, she began researching the lives of artists Robert Henri and Eulabee Dix, producing a book on Henri, with another currently in progress on Dix. Her research led her to New York City where both artists knew each other socially and professionally. Dix was the subject of two full-length portraits painted by Henri with one, Portrait of Miss Eulabee Dix (Becker) in Wedding Gown, on display at MONA. During her presentation, the author will share biographical information discovered during her research, and explain the manuscript writing process.
David Seay: Nebraska Territory Stories
Wednesday, August 23 • 2:00 p.m.
Musician, composer, and storyteller David Seay has been a presenter through Humanities Nebraska since 1997. In this upbeat presentation, David performs folk music from 1867, the year Nebraska became a state. Instruments featured are the banjo, harmonica, whistles, and mountain dulcimer. Songs are interspersed with stories that provide a glimpse into the everyday lives of Nebraska pioneers. Seay will also conduct a brief harmonica workshop, and invites members of the audience to participate. Harmonicas will be provided!
The presentation is made possible by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
MONA’S Not Just a Book Club
Avid readers whose interests lie in authors from Nebraska or reading about Nebraska or art are welcome to these sessions, and may join at any time.
1st Tuesdays • 10:30-11:30 a.m.
MONA’s Gary E. Zaruba Library & Research Center
May 2 – Our Souls at Night, by Kent Haruf
June 6 – Cooking for Picasso: A Novel, by Camille Aubray
July 11 (due to July 4 holiday) – All the Gallant Men: An American Sailor’s Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor, by Donald Stratton and Ken Gire
August 1 – The Muralist: A Novel, by B.A. Shapiro
September 5 – Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet, by Stephanie Cowell
MONA Showcase
MONA Showcase is a four-program evening series featuring talented visual, performing, and literary artists held once a month in October, November, February, and March. Each program is 7:00-8:00 p.m., followed by conversation, art viewing, and light refreshments. Free and open to the public.
New Docent Training Program
MONA volunteer docents lead tours of the Museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions to K-12 student and adult groups. They receive training on MONA’s collection, art history, and teaching and learning strategies. Candidates should enjoy interacting with groups of all ages and must have time available during the week to give tours. Training is weekly in August for an 8-10 week period. Docents are expected to make a two-year commitment, give a minimum of eight tours per year, and attend all training sessions.
Admission to the Program – To apply to the Docent Training Program, please email a one-page letter of interest to Director of Education, Jackie Abell, at abellj1@nullunk.edu. Your letter of interest should explain why you would like to be a MONA docent as well as your interest in art, any teaching experience, and any other relevant skills (e.g., bilingual abilities).
Program Podcasts
Watch recordings of past MONA Programs at iTunes.
For further information, call (308) 865-8559.
Museum of Nebraska Art
2401 Central Ave.
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 865-8559
