The Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation has generously funded an artist-in-residence program at the Great Plains Art Museum since 2006. Artworks are commissioned by the museum to become part of the museum's permanent collection, and the artist completes the commissioned artwork(s) at 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.
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.
Kirsten Furlong
2020-2021 Elizabeth Rubendall Artist in Residence
Residency dates: June 1 - 12, 2021
The Great Plains Art Museum will host Boise-based artist Kirsten Furlong as the 2020-21 Elizabeth Rubendall Artist in Residence. Furlong’s artwork interprets the natural history and current grassland ecology in the Great Plains and beyond through drawings, monotypes, and paintings. Bird species—past and present—insects, animals, and plants are depicted along with mark making inspired by the lines and textures of the prairie.
During her residency, Furlong will create an artwork that will become part of the museum’s permanent collection. Visitors are encouraged to see the artist in action in the lower-level Elizabeth Rubendall Artist-in-Residence Studio & Education Lab June 1-12 during normal museum hours. Feel free to ask questions and interact with the artist!
This event is free and open to the public. The residency and associated events will comply with all UNL and Lincoln-Lancaster County COVID-19 policies.
First Friday: The museum will be open late on June 4. Visit the artist in the studio from 5-7 p.m.
(Left) Kirsten Furlong, Extinct Birds of the Great Plains: Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis ludovicianus), 2019, ink, collage, colored pencil, and acrylic on paper, photograph courtesy of the artist
See Kirsten Furlong in episode 4 of Great Plains Anywhere, a video and podcast series from the Center for Great Plains Studies.
Flying with the Birds: Kite Making Workshop
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Workshop: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Kite flying: 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Create a kite with an image of a Great Plains bird! Learn about local birds and make a kite with their image to fly this summer. This workshop will include help identifying a bird to paint or draw, creating your bird image on the kite, and assembling the kite. You will leave with everything you need to fly your kite and tell your friends about Great Plains birds.
This event is free and open to children ages 5 and up. In-person participation is first come, first served and limited to 8 registrants (1 adult chaperone per registrant is permitted if needed and encouraged for younger children). This event will comply with all UNL and Lincoln-Lancaster County COVID-19 policies.
For those who can’t participate in person, a take-home kite kit with instructions is available for local pick-up. All participants are invited to join us for kite flying that afternoon at Pioneers Park (weather permitting)!
To register and learn more about this event, contact ashley.wilkinson@unl.edu.
The Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation has generously funded an artist-in-residence program at the Great Plains Art Museum since 2006. Artworks are commissioned by the museum to become part of the museum's permanent collection, and the artist completes the commissioned artwork(s) at 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.
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.
Announcing the Elizabeth Rubendall Artist-in-Residence Studio & Education Lab
The Great Plains Art Museum is excited to announce the opening of the Elizabeth Rubendall Artist-in-Residence Studio and Education Lab donated by Fred and Julie Hoppe in the Museum's lower level.
The Artist-in-Residence Program brings an artist to Lincoln each year to create a piece of artwork in the Museum's lobby to become part of the Museum's permanent collection.The Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation has generously funded this program since 2006. With this new donation from the Hoppes, the artist has a more flexible, secure studio space while still in full view of the public. The conversion of this under-utilized office space to a studio also provides a year-round, hands-on education space right off the lower-level gallery. The education space allows for more flexibility in programming that will include educational workshops with not only artists, but other Great Plains scholars.