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“I’m bored… There isn’t anything to do in Hastings!” Whoa- pull out an adage-proclaim a maximum-utter a dictum-lay down a precept – OK! Here is a an old saying that applies ‘variety is the spice of life.’ Certainly, June in Hastings offers a variety of anti-boredom ingredients to make a summer salsa of activities. You can find the details on the Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau website (www.http://www.visithastingsnebraska.com), so I wont be redundant. However, I’ll start stirring the art events pot, in chronological order, in hopes your appetite will be enhanced.

1. June 4- 25. A new gallery show at Graham Gallery features the work of ceramicist Pat Harpham. The show is titled ‘His n’ Hers’ and is a thematic offering of creative depictions of shirts and ties, for the “His” side and shoes and boxes for the “Her” side. Pat has worked hard on this fairly large one person show. It deserves your support.

2. June 2 -30. A still life (primarily) exhibit by a group of artists with Hastings connections is tied to the Willa Cather gathering at the Red Cloud Opera House. The Cather Spring Conference is the 55th annual event which brings Cather enthusiasts from all over the world.

3. June 18-19. These are the Cottonwood dates this year. Lots of fine art and entertainment, as well as food and crafts. Brickyard Park is a perfect setting for a family event.

4. June 20 is the Nebraska Christian Music Festival, also at Brickyard Park, which offers music from 10 am- 9:30 pm.

5. June 20 brings Model A cars from St. Louis on their way to Sacramento. They are art pieces in motion.

6. June 18-28 is an art show at the Public Library to demonstrate the ‘Visions of Home.’

7. June 21-24 is the ‘By Popular Demand’ Art Camp for young artists in three age groups: 6-8, 9-12 and 12-16. This event is sponsored by Graham Gallery and should be filled quickly as the class sizes are limited to the first 10 students who register in each age group.  Click here for more information and registration form.

8. June 23 will be an ‘Art in Nature’ event at Highland Park (south of Hastings Museum).

9. June 23 at Lincoln Park is an ‘art car’ event which combines these two ingredients with a creative twist.

10. June 24 is an ArtCrawl information event which will introduce the new Community Arts Council’s agenda to promote the arts in Hastings.

11. June 25-26 brings the Flat Water Folk Festival to Prairie Loft. A full agenda that features live music delivered with a high level of energy.

I’ve just touched on the art oriented activates that are flying under the banner of “Summer in the City,” a festival of fabulous art and music. As with most events, if you do not support them they may not survive. If you’re not part of the hard work to plan and produce these events-at least you can support them by your participation. It may solve your boredom in the process.

About the author: Jerry Daniels

Jeremy Daniels graduated from McCook Sr. High in 1959. He received a BA in Fine Arts from Hastings College in 1963. After almost six years in the military, he worked for Dutton-Lainson Co. in Hastings for 44 years. He was a Vice President and Advertising Manager for the firm. His artworks include most painting media, as well as sculpture. His studio is in Hastings and he can be contacted at jldan@charter.net.