Discover the Rich Art Scene in Lincoln

by Sriyani Tidball
Art galleries are windows to the soul of humanity, where creativity, expression, and imagination converge, offering glimpses of our shared human experience.
The LUX Center in University Place in north-central Lincoln is a nonprofit community art center that shows work from local, regional, and national artists. They recently expanded their public art installations to include wheat paste murals displayed at nine different sites around town, and transformed their parking lot into an ‘art safari’ at the end of the summer. Adults and children can also explore their creativity with pottery, printmaking, jewelry, glass, or fiber classes. Classes are at the center at 2601 N. 48th Street or off-site through the Art Van de LUX program. The gallery participates in the First Friday Artwalk and is close to Nebraska Wesleyan University. For more information on exhibitions and programs, visit luxcenter.org.
Sheldon Museum of Art: Nestled in the heart of downtown Lincoln at 12th and R streets, it graces the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) campus, boasting the state’s most expansive art gallery. Designed by the renowned American architect Philip Johnson, the Museum is a marvel. Step inside to encounter an impressive national collection of American art, a treasure trove of nearly 13,000 artworks in diverse media.
Founded in 1888, the combined collections of UNL and the Sheldon Art Association proudly feature masterpieces by eminent artists such as John Singer Sargent, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Thomas Eakins, Andy Warhol, and countless others. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious explorer, the Sheldon Museum of Art promises an unforgettable journey through American artistic heritage. For detailed information about exhibitions, events, collections, and educational programs; kindly visit sheldonartmuseum.org.
Great Plains Art Museum: Continuing the artistic journey on the UNL campus, the Great Plains Art Museum stands at the south edge, beckoning visitors with a striking sculpture of prairie pioneers at 12th and Q streets, conveniently close to the Sheldon Museum of Art. As you enter the Great Plains Museum, you’ll immerse yourself in the captivating Christlieb Collection of Western art, showcasing remarkable works by Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, and others.
Beyond its Western art treasures, the Great Plains Art Museum is a dynamic hub for various artistic expressions. From captivating art exhibits to engaging video installations and thought-provoking photography displays, there’s always something fascinating to discover. Don’t miss out on the lively First Friday events that add a touch of excitement to the art scene. For more information, please visit unl.edu/plains/great-plains-art-museum.
Explore the Cultural Tapestry at The International Quilt Study Center and Museum on the serene grounds of the UNL’s East Campus at 33rd and Holdrege streets. The Museum is a beacon of inspiration and appreciation for quilts’ cultural and artistic significance. With a mission to preserve, study, exhibit, and celebrate quilts and quilt-making traditions from diverse cultures, countries and eras, the museum aims to foster a deep understanding of this timeless art form.
Generously brought to life through the support of the Robert and Ardis James Foundation, the Museum offers a captivating journey through the history and beauty of quilting. Visitors explore a rich tapestry of quilts that reflects the ingenuity, creativity, and heritage of countless communities across the globe. For more details on the intriguing exhibitions and cherished collections, kindly visit internationalquiltmuseum.org.
The Eisentrager Howard Gallery celebrates local artistry on the UNL campus. It adds a touch of local flair by showcasing the exceptional art created by faculty and students from the Department of Art and Art History at UNL. Situated in Richards Hall on Stadium Drive and T Street, the gallery allows emerging and established talents to share their visions and artistic expressions.
Step into this dynamic gallery space to witness a diverse range of contemporary artworks that capture the essence of creativity and innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious passerby, the Eisentrager Howard Gallery celebrates the vibrant spirit of the local art community. For more information, please visit arts.unl.edu/art/eisentrager-howard-gallery.
The Kruger Collection of Miniature Furnishings and Decorative Arts is in the College of Architecture at 10th and R streets on the UNL campus and features four centuries of miniatures in one space. Unique to Nebraska, the Kruger Collection of 20,000 art miniatures blends craft, creativity, and history and is fun for all ages and interests. For more information, visit krugercollection.unl.edu.
The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery educates and increases awareness of the rich traditions of art, craft, design, and material culture expressed through the exhibition of all forms of textiles and apparel. This gallery, on the second floor of the Gwendolyn Newkirk Human Science Building at 35th and Holdrege streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, is devoted to art and apparel textiles from East to West. Its collection spans many centuries and features the work of famous and emerging designers. For more information on exhibitions and workshops, visit cehs.unl.edu/textilegallery/
The Burkholder Project
Anne Burkholder, owner and executive director of the Burkholder Project, shares her gallery studios with many local artists whose works include paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media, dolls, and jewelry. It’s a unique collection of 36 art and design studios on three floors featuring artists of all disciplines and styles. Celebrating more than 30 years as the city’s first Haymarket gallery, the studios at 719 P Street invite visitors to observe artists while they work and ask questions about all the different art forms. Browse through the galleries and visit the working studios, art displays, and shops, where finished works and those in progress are displayed; for more information about artists and exhibits, visit burkholderproject.com.
Gallery 9
Professional Artists Affiliation Founded in 1994, Gallery 9 is an independent cooperative gallery in the historic Mission Arts Building, which is also home to artist studios, arts-related businesses, and apartments. The renovated building is on the National Historic Register and has a colorful past, having once been a brothel and, later, Lincoln’s City Mission. This superb contemporary art and fine crafts gallery showcases paintings, ceramics, metal sculpture, glass, and jewelry from about 30 artists in residence. Reach the small gallery by crossing a beautiful, hidden courtyard that makes the trip worthwhile. During the holiday season, shoppers can choose from various gifts on display. In July, the gallery features a group invitational show. Gallery 9 is at 124 S. Ninth Street. For more information, visit gallerynine.com.
Kiechel Fine Art at 1208 O Street in downtown Lincoln was established in 1986 and specializes in 19th and 20th-century American Art, Old Master, contemporary prints, and regional and national contemporary art. The collections represent several notable artists, such as Thomas Hart Benton and Keith Jacobshagen, and private family trusts. The gallery also offers many services, including art consultation and certified appraisals. For more information on artists, galleries, services, and exhibitions, visit kiechelart.com.
Noyes Art Gallery represents the work of 125 artists in its gallery at Ninth and O streets. The gallery is run by local artists who are members of Noyes Art, which helps lower the prices of their original work. A mainstay in the art community, the gallery offers original paintings, photos, pottery, clothing, and jewelry. The co-op art gallery also sponsors a September exhibition at Sunken Gardens at 27th Street and Capitol Parkway, where beauty surrounds beauty. Noyes Gallery has a new show each month and a reception on the first Friday evening of every month. For more information, visit noyesartgallery.com.
Parrish Studios, upstairs at 1410 O Street, features spaces for small galleries and businesses to foster the creative community. It is home to several art galleries, studios, photographers, and apparel shops. Parrish is a popular Artwalk destination, hosting 600 to 800 people on the first Friday evenings each month.
The Metro Gallery Lincoln offers a fantastic variety of diverse art in a relatively small space at 1316 N Street, Suite 101, in downtown Lincoln. Owner and lifelong art lover Dean Settle personally selects each piece. He represents local, national, and international artists—professionals and amateurs—and offers a heady selection of outsider art. The gallery displays accessible and often affordable fine art. Artists participate in First Fridays, with a different show each month. Visit metrogallerynebraska.com for more information.
Gallery Live Yes Studios at 1233 Arapahoe Street is an alternative arts-based day program for adults with developmental disabilities. The gallery seeks to break societal barriers and create a space to foster individuality. At Live Yes Studios, art is a lens through which to see the world, a communication tool, and a gateway to community membership. For more information on the artists, instructors, programs, galleries, and how to help, visit liveyesstudios.com.
Lincoln Arts Festival
Artists, arts organizations, and art enthusiasts come together in an inclusive, accessible venue to create Lincoln Arts Council’s premiere annual event June 15-16, 2024. Featuring nearly 100 selling artists from across the nation, the Lincoln Arts Festival showcases a variety of art mediums, including clay, fiber, jewelry, painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, and more. Attendees come to shop, observe, and mingle with a diverse crowd of artists and creatives. Guests can explore unique works of art, view innovative art demonstrations, engage in hands-on art activities, and enjoy an eclectic mix of live performances and food vendors in this exciting downtown location, on Canopy Street, and in The Railyard.
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