Featured Artist

The following artist has been chosen to be featured in the West Nebraska Arts Center's gallery for this month. You can see information on the artist as well as some artwork below. Come visit us in the gallery to see more of the featured artists work.

Name: WNAC President's Show: WATER Location: WNAC Gallery Prefered Medium: multiple (group exhibit) WNAC President’s Show: WATER West Nebraska Arts Center 106 E. 18th Street Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Sponsored by: Ben and Christie Shaver John and Pamela Kabalin about the show An exhibition of “WATER” will open Thursday, July 3, 2008, at West Nebraska Arts Center, 106 E. 18th St., in Scottsbluff, NE, and will continue through July 25. A closing reception with the artists, free and open to the public, will be held at the WNAC Gallery Friday, July 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The WNAC Board President has selected “WATER,” as the theme of the exhibition. Artists are encouraged to submit their creative interpretations using the chosen theme. The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported the programs of this organization through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for more information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. judge Ricki Klages Ricki Klages was born in Stuttgart Germany. As an “army brat,” she was exposed to many different cultures, living in Hawaii, Korea, and throughout the contiguous US states. She received her BFA from the University of Arizona, Tucson, and her MA and MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. During that time, she worked as a floral designer, illustrator for a children’s book, “The Marsh King’s Daughter”, Harbinger House Books, cashier and janitor at an ‘art house’ theater, and gallery assistant/framer. Ricki Klages has been an exhibiting artist since 1984. Her paintings have been exhibited both nationally and internationally, including; solo exhibitions at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, University of Montana, Missoula, MT. Epping Forest Museum, Waltham Abbey, United Kingdom, Ispra, Italy. She has received many awards in juried exhibitions, including the jurors’ choice award from The Butler Institute of American Art, Baer Award in Painting from the Wyoming Arts Council, Best in Show from “Art and Language,” Highstown, New Jersey, and a Wyoming Arts Council Fellowship Grant. She was recently featured in a juried publication, “New American Paintings,” juried by Fereshteh Daftari, curator of Painting and Drawing at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Ricki started teaching at the University of Wyoming in the Department of Art in 1995. She returned August 2006 with her husband and two children after an extended four year leave of absence in northern Italy, in the Lake District at the foothills of the Alps. It was there that she learned the Italian arts of drinking fine wine, eating great food and relaxation. Ricki Klages is represented by Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO. She is now the Head of the Department of Art, University of Wyoming. WNAC info The West Nebraska Arts Center offers artists 65% commission for artwork sold with WNAC receiving 35%. WNAC carries insurance for all work displayed within our gallery. To learn more, visit our website: www.nebraskarts.com/wnac timeline June 27 & 28, 2008 Deliver artwork to the West NE Arts Center, entry fees also due. July 3 – 25, 2008 President’s Show: WATER showing at WNAC (free and open to the public) July 25, 2008 5-7pm, Closing Reception (free and open to the public, refreshments) July 25, 2008 After 7pm, Pick-up unsold artwork (after the closing reception) at the West NE Arts Center awards $200. Best of Show (selected by judge): "Sudden Water #2" pastel by Peg Fowler of Harrison, NE $100. Towater Award (selected by judge): "Looking for Lily Pads" acrylic on canvas by Julie Nighswonger of Torrington, WY $50. Honorable Mention (selected by judge): "Frozen in Time" acrylic and metallics by Renea Erickson of New Melle, MO $50. Honorable Mention (selected by judge): "Tanque I" oil on canvas by Karen Fielder of Torrington, WY $200. President’s Choice (selected by WNAC Board President): "Niangua" digital photograph by Reed Hutchison of Lincoln, NE $100. People’s Choice (viewers vote through July 24) questions If you have any questions regarding the President’s Show: WATER exhibit, please do not hesitate to contact the West Nebraska Arts Center. address: 106 E. 18th Street - Scottsbluff, NE 69361 hours: M-F: 8 to 5, Sat.: 1 to 5 phone: 308-632-2226 fax: 308-632-1731 email: wneartsmb@earthlink.net (Mason Burbach, Executive Director) web: www.nebraskarts.com/wnac