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

Robert Weaver

Posted on June 29, 2016July 3, 2018 by Maggie Pierson

1935, Stillwater, Kansas – 2018, Lincoln, Nebraska View artwork Robert Weaver was born in Stilwell, Kansas in 1935. He received his BA from the Kansas City Art Institute, his BFA from the University of New Mexico in 1965, and his MFA from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1968. Weaver is known for his Read More

Virginia Wattles

Posted on June 29, 2016November 9, 2016 by Maggie Pierson

1939, Kearney, NE – View artwork Virginia Wattles has been a professional artist for several years after retiring from a twenty-seven year career as an art educator. In 1991 she was named Nebraska’s Artist/Educator of the year and is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America since 1991 and The society of Portrait Read More

J. (John) Laurie Wallace

Posted on June 29, 2016February 10, 2017 by Maggie Pierson

1864, Garvagh, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland – 1953, Omaha, Nebraska View artwork J.Laurie Wallace studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia under Thomas Eakins. Eakins considered Wallace his favorite student, and by 1881 he had become one of Eakins’ assistants at the Academy, holding the position of Chief Demonstrator of Anatomy. During this time, Read More

Peter Walkley

Posted on June 29, 2016November 9, 2016 by Maggie Pierson

1952, Orange, Texas – View artwork Peter Walkley was born in Orange, Texas on October 29, 1952. He attended the Omaha Art School in 1972 and currently works in the Marketing Department as a designer of the Omaha World Herald. Walkley describes himself as “a self taught painter working with acrylics in a precise realism, Read More

Ruth Waddy

Posted on June 29, 2016January 25, 2023 by Maggie Pierson

1909, Lincoln, Nebraska – 2003, San Francisco, California View artwork Ruth Waddy was an artist, advocate, activist, and author primarily known for her work with the Black Arts Movement in California in the 1960s and ‘70s. She was born January 7, 1909 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Willie Anna Choran and John Moses Gilliam. The family moved Read More

Allan Tubach

Posted on June 29, 2016October 6, 2023 by Maggie Pierson

1939, Falls City, Nebraska – View artwork Originally from Falls City, Nebraska, the hometown of other important Nebraska artists such as John Falter (1910-1982) and Alice Cleaver (1870-1944), Allan Tubach studied commercial art at the Omaha Art School from 1957 to 1958 and continued his art training at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. For Read More

George E. Trager

Posted on June 29, 2016October 6, 2023 by Maggie Pierson

1861, Gefell, Germany – 1948, New York, New York View artwork George Trager (also known as Gus Trager) was born in Gefell, Germany in 1861 and arrived in America in 1876. He studied photography in Whitewater, Wisconsin and opened his first photography studio in 1888 with Frederick Kuhn in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. Trager and Kuhn moved Read More

Michael Todd

Posted on June 29, 2016November 4, 2016 by Maggie Pierson

1935, Omaha, Nebraska – View artwork Studied at the University of Notre Dame, south Bend, Indiana, BFA, 1957; UCLA 1959, received a Fulbright Fellowship, Paris, 1961-1963. Lives in Los Angeles, CA. View artwork

Jean Louise Berg Thiessen

Posted on June 29, 2016March 11, 2017 by Maggie Pierson

1876, Sacramento, California – 1960, Omaha, Nebraska View artwork Thiessen moved with her family to Omaha, Nebraska when she was ten years old. By fourteen, she was already helping to support her family by working as a dressmaker, which she continued until ready-made dresses gained popularity. Other than her marriage to Charles Leonard Thiessen of Grand Read More

Robert Therien

Posted on June 29, 2016November 4, 2016 by Maggie Pierson

1944, Omaha, Nebraska – View artwork Robert Therien was born on October 1, 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1966, his MA from the University of Wisconsin in 1968, and his MFA in 1969 from the University of Wisconsin as well. Therien served in 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... •