MCC hosting “Where Art Happens” tour for Buffalo Commons

The art community is alive and growing in Southwest Nebraska and this year it will be on display as part of the Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival.

McCook Community College is leading a tour June 10 to see “Where Art Happens” in McCook.

This day-long tour from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. will explore what’s new and what the future may hold for area artists and art lovers . Cost is $30 and includes lunch.

The day will begin by touring the innovative and intriguing art exhibit on the 6th floor of the Keystone. From there, participants will travel to Art Bank McCook (formerly, Wells Fargo Bank.) Inside this building will be a collection of pieces created by the Navajo Artist Shonto Begay of Flagstaff, Arizona, and local artist Lucas Kotschwar of McCook. The artists will be on hand to explain their art and their inspiration. 

From there, the tour will continue to several other downtown sites featuring displays from area artists of all ages. Sites will include the Art Guild, an art display at Longnecker Jewelry, a school art exhibit at 416 Norris Ave, MCC Wrightstone Building, and the “Artist as a Storyteller” exhibit in the Barnett Building, just north of the Railroad Depot. It will feature the artwork of five established and emerging regional artists.

The day will conclude at MCC with a workshop, providing participants with the opportunity to create some art of their own making, under the direction of local artist Deonne Hinz.

Lunch will be provided.

You can reserve your place on this tour by calling MCC’s Business and Education office at 308-345-8112 or (800-658-4349, extension 8122), email bceregister@mpcc.edu, or register at the Mid-Plains Community College website under the Business and Community Education section. Browse and review our local community class listings for McCook: https://bceregister.mpcc.edu/CourseStatus.awp?&course=224CFEI2431

Here is the day’s schedule:

9-9:15 a.m. - Keystone Hotel, 402 Norris Ave., registration

9:15-9:45 a.m. - Keystone, 6th floor: Joanne Falkenberg

10-10:30 a.m. – Art Bank, 108 West D, exhibits from Shonto Begay and Lucas Kotschwar

10:45-11:05 a.m. – Art Guild, 209 Norris Ave, exhibits by Art Guild members Ray Walter and John Clesson

11:15-11:40 a.m., -- Longnecker Jewelry, 314 Norris Ave., exhibit from Bill Longnecker 

Lunch 11:45-12:30 p.m. –Graff Venue, 416 Norris Ave., Matt Sehnert will talk about Art District

12:40-1:10 p.m. – Barnett Building, 103 Norris Ave., “Artists as Storyteller” five area artists

1:25-1:50 p.m. – MCC Wrightstone Gallery, E. Fifth and M, exhibit by Rick Johnson

2-3 p.m. – MCC McMillen Hall (1205 E. Third), room 213, “Creating Art” Workshop with instructor Deonne Hinz