about the show
The West Nebraska Arts Center, with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the National Endowment for the Arts, is pleased to present One Gentle Hand by Ron Nordyke. The reception is on Thursday, May 29th, 5pm – 7pm. This is a free event and open to the public. We will serve refreshments and appetizers for all who attend.
Ron Nordyke from Chappell, Ne will be in our Main Gallery. He brought us acrylic paintings of quilts from his Lifetime Quilt Series and more. For the month of June, we will be surrounded by the passions of Nordyke created over the span of the last 20 years.
artist bio
Ron Nordyke has had the desire and drive to become an artist as long as he can remember. His family always drew, built, and created things at home. “It’s what we did,” he says. So being motivated to create artwork was a natural extension of that. He grew up in northeast Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1971. After about 20 years self-employed in the upholstery business, he embarked on a K-12 teaching career in Chappell, Nebraska. He encouraged his students in drawing, painting, sculpture and just about everything else he could think of. In 1998 he began to paint consistently and has shown and competed regionally at art shows and galleries whenever he can. He also writes and has illustrated and published one award winning child’s book “Eagle Horse”.
artist statement
“I am finding the creation of art takes you on a journey of discovery. Along the way this journey may unveil more of your inner self, some joy, some pain, a passion for beauty, or just appreciation for the “commonplace”. I have called what I do “Discovering Beauty in the Commonplace”. I like to think I’m portraying our “common heritage” by way of visual images. Many of these ideals are universal: the value of hard work and fine craft; the virtue and strength of character that comes from age; the freedom and energy of youth; the awesome regenerating power of faith; the magnificent beauty and diversity of creation; even the thoughts and emotions linked to images from our collective past.”
This show will be on display May 29 – June 29, 2025. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. We are closed on Mondays.
special thanks
Special thanks to volunteers Karen Mecklem, Vicki Schmitt, Vic Bentley, and Laura Clark for their assistance in the gallery. Also, thank you to West Nebraska Arts Center Board members for the opening reception.
about WNAC
The West Nebraska Arts Center is a 501c3 cultural non-profit organization committed to education, awareness, and excellence in the arts, serving the North Platte Valley Region. WNAC is located at the corner of 1st Avenue and 18th Street in Scottsbluff, NE. Visit the gallery free of charge Tuesday through Friday 10 to 5, Weekends from 1 to 5. You can also visit our website for upcoming attractions at www.thewnac.com. Also, find us on Facebook and Instagram.
show your support
WNAC is supported by local businesses and individuals who value having the Arts Center in our community. Do you support WNAC with an annual membership gift? If not, please consider joining our efforts. Members of West Nebraska Arts Center receive first notification of our events. Members also receive gallery postcards, a monthly newsletter, discounts gallery and gift shop purchases as well as classes, workshops, fundraiser tickets, and other special events. You will also receive the WNAC newsletter and invitations to special events. Activate or renew your membership online at www.thewnac.com, by visiting the Arts Center office, or call 308-632-2226.
