Carnegie is excited to announce the arrival of husband and wife artists, Ben and Ann Darling. Their exhibit “Nebraska Near and Far” will be on display from September 19th to October 28th in the Garwood and Skala Galleries. Ann Darling is a lifelong resident of Sidney NE. During her career as an art teacher she has pursued drawing in colored pencils. Her choice of subjects have focused on the smaller aspects of the sights of the high plains. Her work focuses on the textures and coloristic possibilities of flora and the geological and anthropologic forms that present themselves across the high plains. Ben Darling is a true son of the Great Plains. Born in Kansas and raised in Iowa and Nebraska, few artists know the length and breathe of Nebraska as well as he for he has painted landscapes in every region of the state and served numerous artist-in-residence stints in schools and communities throughout the state through the Nebraska Arts Council. The Darlings currently live and create these and other images of the great plains from their home in Sidney Nebraska.
Ben Darling Artist Statement: Recently I’ve been more focused on the art elements as they express themselves in vistas of the Great Plains, from the Missouri River valley to the Bighorn Mountains. Color and texture, rhythm and repetition as they play across the spaces of the plains are the driving interests of the paintings presented. Coupled with the sense of a home landscape, I hope these paintings provide the viewer an emotional as well as intellectual experience.
Ann Darling Artist Statement: My most recent work has been focused on the colors and textures I find in the close up inspection of the trees, plants, and rock formations we find in our outdoor hikes. I enjoy exploring different techniques and color combinations in colored pencil to portray interesting shapes and textures that are found in a viewing space just a few feet or inches from my camera. While I find some colors in nature compelling just as they are, I have also experimented with how layers of color blend to depict the play of light on my subjects. When choosing a subject it is often not the obvious “pretty” things I see but the seeds, husks, bark, and rock surfaces that provide the most challenge for me to draw.
On exhibit at the same time in Carnegie’s Studio Gallery is “Tell Me Your Story.” This show will run from September 5th through October 14th with a reception on September 30th from 5-7PM. The Carnegie Arts Center and the DOVES Program are bringing Alliance a remarkable collaboration that promises to leave a lasting impact on our community. Together, they proudly present an art exhibit that transcends mere aesthetics; it is a profound expression of the human spirit’s resilience and strength. This exhibit, titled “Tell Me Your Story,” offers a glimpse into the lives of survivors of sexual, domestic, and dating violence from the Panhandle of Nebraska through the lens of art.
Art has always been a powerful medium for self-expression, and the works on display at this exhibit are no exception. Created by survivors, these pieces serve as a testament to the indomitable courage and unwavering spirit that resides within each individual who has faced adversity. Through brushstrokes, colors, and textures, the artists convey their unique journeys of survival, growth, and transformation.
“Tell Me Your Story” is more than just an art exhibit; it is a platform for sexual, domestic, and dating violence survivors to reclaim their narratives and redefine their identities. These artworks tell us not only who these individuals were before their experiences but also how they see themselves today.
As you explore “Tell Me Your Story,” we invite you to reflect on the strength, resilience, and heart of survivors from our community. These artworks are more than just creations; they are testaments to the enduring power of the human spirit. Through adversity, they have found their voices, and through art, they invite us to listen and learn.
Join us in celebrating the survivors of the Panhandle of Nebraska through this captivating exhibit. “Tell Me Your Story” is a reminder that art can heal, inspire, and transform lives, and that every survivor’s story deserves to be heard, seen, and celebrated.