Every spring, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Middle at Rowe Sanctuary turns into a vibrant hub of exercise – not only for birds, however for folks of all ages drawn to one among nature’s most outstanding migrations. This seasonal gathering offers distinctive alternatives to deepen connections to the cranes and the Platte River by way of packages that weave collectively artwork, schooling, and conservation. It additionally creates a chance for Rowe Sanctuary to associate with quite a few local people organizations for programming.
Based within the Nineteen Seventies, the Museum of Nebraska Artwork (MONA) has lengthy been devoted to celebrating Nebraska arts and artists, with assist from the College of Nebraska at Kearney. Its mission is to interact numerous audiences by honoring the historical past of Nebraska’s visible arts by preserving, researching, and exhibiting works by artists who’ve ties to the state or whose artwork displays Nebraska’s tradition. MONA and Rowe have lengthy been companions by way of the Kearney Cultural Companions group. In 2024, the 2 organizations started exploring methods to collaborate extra deliberately throughout Crane Season. With MONA underneath building in early 2025, the partnership naturally advanced to convey MONA programming to the newly transformed middle at Rowe Sanctuary.
Artwork and nature have lengthy been intertwined, with artists drawing inspiration from the pure world to grasp it and specific folks’s place inside it. Artwork courses shortly emerged as a significant method to develop Crane Season choices and invite members to interact with the migration by way of creativity and reflection. This 12 months, the collaboration focuses on 4 workshops, every taught by a unique artist. There are a couple of plein air workshops that target portray outdoor in pure mild, emphasizing the speedy and ever-changing results of sunshine on a scene. As well as, one class invitations members to create an summary Platte River panorama after which paint a crane utilizing a craft feather for a singular, hands-on strategy. All provides might be offered, so visitors can merely come to the workshop and benefit from the inventive course of.
These artwork courses add an vital dimension to Rowe Sanctuary’s Crane Season programming. With the addition of Braided in Unison and its emphasis this 12 months on commentary and nature journaling, integrating artwork into the season felt like a pure continuation. Collectively, these choices create a holistic Crane Season expertise at Rowe Sanctuary. One which conjures up marvel, creativity, and a long-lasting sense of take care of this extraordinary place.
