By KYREN GIBSON
Announcing the arrival of Carnegie’s new exhibits “Natural Selections” and “Quilted Arrangements” by photographer Joe Lucas and quilter Mary Sue Suit. The exhibits are on display in the upper Skala and Garwood Galleries until Saturday Oct. 30. “Natural Selections” is a collection of high resolution, detailed wildlife and landscape photographs printed on metal. The metal prints give the images a luminous appearance. Photographs of mountain lake scenery look as though you could touch the water. Images of the Aurora Borealis glow out from the canvas as if you are viewing the Northern lights in the flesh. Joe Lucas grew up hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. He had the opportunity to develop his latent interest in wildlife and outdoor photography while living in Alaska where presentations requiring photos were a large part of his work responsibilities. His retirement and relocation to Littleton Colorado has allowed him to focus on outdoor photography, which he enjoys sharing with others. His photos can be viewed at lucasphotos.com.
Mary Sue Suit is an award-winning quilt designer, teacher, and author whose works include: “All the Blocks are Geese”, “A New Twist on Triangles”, “A New Turn on Drunkard’s Path”, “Crazy Eights (Fun with Eight Pointed Stars)” published by That Patchwork Place. Her original works, quilted by Diana Larson of Sidney and award-winning quilter and author Judy Woodworth of Rapid City, South Dakota, have been included in both National and International quilt shows. These quilts are presented here with their knowledge and permission. The exhibit on display includes seven stunning quilts. Each quilt is an original work of art with spectacular colors and intricate pattern. One look is not enough to discover the fine details, care, and love that have been put into these works of art.
We want to remind folks that exhibiting in our lower gallery is the work of John Witulski. Originally from Omaha, NE, John is a senior at Hastings College pursuing a BA in Studio Art. He was introduced to Hastings through his participation in Open Space, an art immersion experience. Witulski will be starting his fourth year working in the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center’s Digital Fabrication Lab where he assists students and staff in the use of the lab’s rapid prototyping technologies. He applies these technologies to his own studio practice to explore their applications in his work. John has exhibited in Tech Studio, a group exhibition at The Minden Opera House in Minden, NE. He has also shown work in both the 2019 and 2021 Juried Student Exhibitions at the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center in Hastings, NE. These exhibitions were juried by Nadia Shinkunas, founder of Random Arts, and Teliza Rodriguez, former chief curator of the Museum of Nebraska Art, respectively.
We want to thank the local businesses that provide artists with exhibition opportunities and free arts exposure to our community members. Thank you, September Exhibit Presenters Charles and Ellen Lierk, Farmers State Bank, and Dave’s Pharmacy. Big thanks to October Exhibit Presenters Cover Jones Motor Co., Western Valley Irrigation, and JM & Associates. Of course, thank you to our grantors the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, The Nebraska Arts Council, and the Peter Kiewit Foundation for their operational funding.