Crane Season Program Highlight: MONA Art Classes

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Each spring, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary becomes a vibrant hub of activity – not just for birds, but for people of all ages drawn to one of nature’s most remarkable migrations. This seasonal gathering provides unique opportunities to deepen connections to the cranes and the Platte River through programs that weave together art, education, and conservation. It also creates an opportunity for Rowe Sanctuary to partner with numerous local community organizations for programming. 

Founded in the 1970s, the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) has long been dedicated to celebrating Nebraska arts and artists, with support from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Its mission is to engage diverse audiences by honoring the history of Nebraska’s visual arts by preserving, researching, and exhibiting works by artists who have ties to the state or whose art reflects Nebraska’s culture. MONA and Rowe have long been partners through the Kearney Cultural Partners organization. In 2024, the two organizations began exploring ways to collaborate more intentionally during Crane Season. With MONA under construction in early 2025, the partnership naturally evolved to bring MONA programming to the newly remodeled center at Rowe Sanctuary.

Art and nature have long been intertwined, with artists drawing inspiration from the natural world to understand it and express people’s place within it. Art classes quickly emerged as a meaningful way to expand Crane Season offerings and invite participants to engage with the migration through creativity and reflection. This year, the collaboration focuses on four workshops, each taught by a different artist. There are a few plein air workshops that focus on painting outdoors in natural light, emphasizing the immediate and ever-changing effects of light on a scene. In addition, one class invites participants to create an abstract Platte River landscape and then paint a crane using a craft feather for a unique, hands-on approach. All supplies will be provided, so guests can simply come to the workshop and enjoy the creative process. 

These art classes add an important dimension to Rowe Sanctuary’s Crane Season programming. With the addition of Braided in Unison and its emphasis this year on observation and nature journaling, integrating art into the season felt like a natural continuation. Together, these offerings create a holistic Crane Season experience at Rowe Sanctuary. One that inspires wonder, creativity, and a lasting sense of care for this extraordinary place.