The Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation has generously funded an artist-in-residence program since 2007 at the Great Plains Art Museum. Artworks are commissioned by the museum to become part of the museum's permanent collection, and the artist completes the commissioned artwork(s) in the lobby of the Great Plains Art Museum. The full artistic process is on display for visitors and school groups, creating a unique program as well as enduring art.
Residencies are usually in late April. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for your school or tour group, please contact the Great Plains Art Museum at 402-472-6220.
2013
This year, beadwork artist Molly Murphy Adams will be the Great Plains Art Museum's 2013 Elizabeth Rubendall artists-in-residence from April 23 through May 3. Murphy Adams will create a sculptural beadwork that will become part of the museum's permanent collection. The commissioned artwork will blend Native and non-Native imagery and patterns including parflesche designs, cartography, historic events and flora and fauna from the Great Plains region.
The public is welcome to observe and interact with the artist while she works. Murphy Adams will be creating from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays during the residency. An interactive area will give visitors a chance to try different beadwork techniques. Groups may arrange tours by contacting museum curator Amber Mohr at 402-472-0599. The Great Plains Art Museum will have a concurrent solo exhibition of Murphy Adams' works from April 23 through June 15, "Relative Position: The Sculptural Beadwork of Molly Murphy Adams," with a First Friday reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 3. Many of her artworks will be available for sale, and Murphy Adams will donate 25 percent of proceeds to support programs and acquisitions at the Great Plains Art Museum.
"My style is different in that I am combining native and non-native techniques," Murphy Adams said. "I freely mix in embroidery and quilting techniques as well as modern aesthetics. By making really modern pieces like boxes and sculptures I am diverging from the historical timeline and making something new."
"We are very excited for Molly Murphy Adams to be our artist-in-residence," said Amber Mohr, curator of the museum. "Her beadworking skill is impeccable, and she has the ability to engage all age levels in her artwork creation. Engaging people with the process of artwork rather than just the product of a finished artwork is fundamental to understanding and appreciating art, and we're glad the Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation recognizes the importance of this type of educational experience."
See Molly's blog here.
Photos from Molly's visit
Students visit artist-in-residence Molly Murphy Adams in the Great Plains Art Museum lobby. Photos by Katie Nieland
Molly installs a piece in the main gallery.
An interactive station encourages visitors to try beading on a loom.
Molly explains her work to a group of students.
Molly says she usually sketches her designs before beading. "It happens really, really slowly" Molly said about how long it takes to complete a project. About 40 hours for a small piece and 200 to 250 hours for a longer one.
An interactive station for visitors
Some of Molly's pieces are for sale at the front counter of the Great Plains Art Museum.
Thursday before the museum's First Friday show, Molly assembles the box commissioned by the museum.
The inside of the box shows an isobar map of the region.
The piece for the museum is the largest box Molly has made.
The species on the outside of the box: indego bunting with choke cherry, hairy woodpecker with ponderosa pine, belted kingfisher with cottonwood and a sandhill crane with the fringed prairie orchid.
The final piece will be on display starting Friday with the rest of Molly's show in the main gallery until May 26.
Prior Elizabeth Rubendall Residencies:
Anne Peyton
Top of the Morning
(Dickcissel)
acrylic on board
Anne Peyton
Attention Captured
(Red-tailed Hawk)
acrylic on board
Patty Eckman
Prairie Chicken Dance
cast paper
Allen Eckman
Traditional Dancer,
Prairie Chicken Dance
cast paper
Wendy Hall
Jug and Bird Nest
oil
Wendy Hall
Calf and Resting Cow
oil
Gail Sundell
Women of the Plains
Colorado alabaster
Michael Albrechtsen
Catching Sunsets
oil
Michael Albrechtsen
Nebraska Reverence
oil
Martha Pettigrew
Dakota Wind
bronze
Delmar Pettigrew
I'm Outta Here
bronze
Prior Great Plains Art Museum Resident Artist:
Andrew Peters
A Good Solid Century Farm
oil