June 12, 2024
By Rahaf Osman, Girl’s Inc. 2024 Extern
Lincoln is home to a vibrant art community. And you don’t even have to step inside a museum to see works by local artists. Check out a virtual tour of murals in Downtown Lincoln.
Prepare to be mesmerized by the vibrant colors and larger-than-life presence of the new mural featuring President Abraham Lincoln.
The mural has been installed on the west side of the Lied Center for Performing Arts and is such an exciting addition to our city! The mural was created by artist and quilter McKenzie Phelps, who did an amazing job bringing the design to life. It’s inspired by the “Lincoln” quilt from the International Quilt Museum’s collection, which was made by New York-based quilt artist Kimberly Soper. The quilt’s design itself was derived from a pop-art portrait by artist Ihsan Ekaputra. It’s incredible to see how different artists have come together to create this beautiful piece of public art. Make sure to swing by and take a look!
Check out the Arbor Day Foundation Mural at 211 N. 11th St. Lincoln, NE 68508. Emerson’s quote,” The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn,” comes to life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a renowned American essayist and poet known for his transcendentalist philosophy. His quote “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn” reflects his belief in the immense potential within individuals. Emerson’s works emphasize self-reliance, individualism, and the beauty of nature.
The Humankind mural is located on the north side of the LES building at 1040 O St. Lincoln, NE. It was painted by Sarah Craw (@scrawart on Instagram) and was made in November 2020. Sarah Craw is an artist based in Omaha who specializes in minimalistic illustrations using her typewriter and fine-point ink pens. The artist had an opening night at her new art gallery WordPlay in Omaha on May 3rd, located at 59th & Maple Street in the historical Art District of Benson.
The Gomez mural at 120 N. 14th St. Lincoln, NE, created by Maggie Heusinkvelt in 2017 in association with the annual Lincoln Calling Music Festival, is a true masterpiece that showcases her artistic talent and creativity.
Maggie Heusinkvelt, a Nebraska Alumni, is an incredible artist and leader in the arts community. She has been the Head of Public Art at Benson First Friday since January 2018, where she organizes and plans the yearly public art project. Her dedication to arts and culture shines through as she not only plans but also leads the development and execution of these projects, making a significant impact on the community through her creative vision and leadership.
Can you find the trash bin?
The Kiechel Mural, created by artist and UNL alum Spencer Pacheco, is a captivating four-story work of art located in an alley off 12th Street between O and P Streets in Lincoln, Nebraska. This project, which began around 2015, aims to cover the walls of the former Dietze Music House building with beautiful and intricate abstract designs. Spencer Pacheco, also known as @402graphics on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, initiated this long-term project after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, adding a vibrant and artistic flair to the area.