Nebraska Artist 2D Biennial

Nov. 3 — Dec. 30 2017
If it’s still true that everything old is new again in the art world, to that end, Gallery 1516 is pleased and proud to host the newly named Nebraska Artist Biennial. The 2017 NAB is a juried exhibition open to all Nebraska artists, whether or not they currently live in the state.

This exhibition format, long a staple of 20th-century museum programming, had largely disappeared from the region, and gallery director Patrick Drickey felt it was time for a reintroduction given 1516’s mission to serve Nebraska artists.

All entries were reviewed anonymously by a three-panel jury that included Anne Pagel, curator for the Duncan Collection in Lincoln, Linda Rajcevich, former Deputy Director of Joslyn Art Museum, and Russ Erpelding, current Art Reach curator for the Museum of Nebraska Art. Artists were encouraged to submit from their most recent body of work, but it was not a requirement.

The panel selected 70+ entries from nearly 500 pieces entered for the exhibition, all eligible for $10,000 in total prize money given in following categories: 

Best of Show, the Richard D. Holland Award - $5000

Drawing/Printmaking, the Kent Bellows Award - $1000

Painting/Mixed Media, the Milton Wolsky Award - $1000

Photography, the William Henry Jackson Award - $1000  

Student, J Laurie Wallace Award - $1000

Viewer’s Choice and Artist’s Choice award of $500 each

The Biennial serves a purpose by giving local artists a stage from which they might find access to a bigger or even a national stage. Again, most artists stressed the opportunity to see their work in a world-class gallery setting.

And though it may seem premature to think beyond the maiden voyage, we are already setting the course for future Biennial events. We will add a 3D display system. And probably expand the territory to artists from any state that touches Nebraska, although we’ll have to change the name, we think 2019 Regional Biennial has a nice ring to it.