For the first time in its long history, the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs, Inc. (ANAC) will hold its annual conference in Broken Bow–their 57th. There are 38 art clubs in Nebraska, which is the only state to bring art in its various forms from all the clubs for an annual exhibit. Grand Island hosted the first in 1965, Albion in 2019 was the most recent. Generally, a single club takes on the daunting task of hosting the state ANAC, but as the logo points out – this is a true hub of volunteer artists from six art clubs coming together to host this first ever event in Broken Bow, which is indeed in the ‘Heart’ of Nebraska.
Committee members and their club include Sue Oiler Dowse, Darwin Hunt, (Vissid’Arte, Comstock) Betty Carlson (Artissimos, North Loup) Nicole Hoffmann (Mullen Art Center) Mary Smith, Callaway (Arrow Artists, Broken Bow) Tresa Haney, Oconto (Prairie 7, Dunning) and Terri Licking, (Thedford Art Guild).The logo design, was created by Megan Dietz, former member of Artissimos art club.
The conference is June 8 – 11 at Mid-Plains Community College. Except for 2020 when Covid locked everything down and 2021 which was virtual/online, a summer never passed without a hands-on conference.
As always, Broken Bow and surrounding communities are helping the committee members make this conference one to remember. Mid-Plains Community College will display approximately 300 pieces of art, as well as some of the workshops. The Red Barn (Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway Visitor Center) and the Wild Rose Gallery will host receptions on Wednesday, June 8 before the movie ‘Ocean of Grass’ is seen at the Fox Theatre at 7:00. Fiesta Brava Mexican Restaurant will host on Thursday night a Sandhills Supper and Serenade with Custer County natives R. P. Smith and Don Schauda—artists in their own right. Broken Bow Public Library on Friday night will have the awards banquet. Ansley Lumber donated the use of the plywood boards that will display the art all three days. Area hotels have blocked rooms at special rates; banks, other businesses and individuals have also helped. A full list of contributors will be duly recognized after the conference.
The conference also has several workshops at the college or out and about.
Mary Binford Miller of Liberal, KS, will judge the art for Best of Show and other awards. She will have a three-day oil painting workshop which can be taken one or all three days. Her luminous work may be viewed on the ANAC web site: https//nebraskaartclubs.org
Look for artists around town: Beatrice artist, Deb Monfelt is leading a Sketch Broken Bow one-day workshop and Jana Van Housen of Alliance is guiding photographers to get that ‘aha’ shot at the Straight Arrow Bison Ranch and at the Embracing Life Through Horses ranch. Photography workshop will also have local historian Lance Bristol extol the merits of Solomon Butcher at the Custer Co. Historical Museum.
Other workshops will take place at Mid-Plains Community College. Janet Schmitz, Albion, considers herself a Mixed Media Momma. Assembling of assorted papers, fabrics, odds and ends will be fun for those who “can’t draw a stick figure.” Be prepared to get messy. 2017-2018 ANAC president, Wendy Mues Bonge, Albion, will teach a two-day Prismacolor workshop. Mike Walters and Dawn Hesnault offer a No Days Mosaic workshop on Friday. Sargent resident Patricia Coslor offers a one-day watercolor workshop, with many new avenues of texture and color combinations to explore. On Saturday afternoon Pamela Hynek of Fremont is teaching Color Magic, creating abstract designs. No supplies needed for this one.
For more information on the workshops (fees and availability), go to the ANAC website, www.nebraskaartclubs.org. There you will learn the price of workshops, supplies needed (if any), sale items, and more about the instructors. Registration was opened to the public on May 15. Be warned that spaces are limited.
The exhibit of entries will take place in the college’s large shop. The public is encouraged to visit, and maybe see an artist or two at work in the display area. Enter at the side east door. Signs will be posted. There is no admission and children are most welcome. Exhibit hours Thursday, Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. when doors close for collecting pieces for the traveling show that will be touring Nebraska for the next year in O’Neill, Valentine, Alliance, Ogallala, McCook, Mullen, Thedford, Comstock, North Loup, Red Cloud, Beatrice, Lincoln, and Fremont which will host the 2023 ANAC conference.
