Nebraska Art History Awards

Lonnie Pierson Dunbier

For her continued work maintaining the database of American Artists at askART.com. Lonnie is the principal behind a major undertaking, in conjunction with MONA (Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE), to research and compile a comprehensive biographical study of nearly 700 women artists connected to Nebraska before 1945. Lonnie and husband Roger Dunbier, son of artist Augustus Dunbier, created the database that is now askART.com, a major online source about artists and their work.

Clifton Holmquist

For his art and photography influenced by Alaska and with a Nebraska connection.

Elizabeth Dolan (Posthumous)

For her artwork in the exhibits and displays at Morrill Hall, the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Isabella Threlkeld (Posthumous)

For her contributions to Nebraska art and artists as a teacher, mentor, and educator.

Phyllis Wiener (Posthumous)

For her contributions of murals and fine art to Nebraska business and other public places.

Berthe Couch Koch (Posthumous)

For her contributions to the fine arts in Nebraska schools, now the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Angus Brecheen

Artist, for his 2016 participation in a virtual art project at Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE, and his 2017 participation in Clermont's Fine Art Festival, Lake County, Clermont, FL. The first Down syndrome artist to participate in either event.

Jeffrey Koterba

Editorial Cartoonist, Omaha World Herald, Omaha, NE. For his social and political artistic contributions; forcing us to look at ourselves and smile.

Jeffery "Jeff" Randall (1967–2012, Posthumous)

Artist, Lincoln, NE. Award to his mother, Cathy Barger Randall. For Jeff's vision and creative spirit, an artist from the age of 5, working at his drafting table until his death; capturing the edginess of life with his art.

Julie A. Reilly

Executive Director, Omaha by Design, Omaha, NE. For her vision and contributions to the city of Omaha; making art part of every citizen's life.

Curtis "Curt" Edic

Council Bluffs, IA / Omaha, NE. Retired General Secretary of the Scottish Rite Valley of Omaha. For his dedication and vision to the history and art of the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, including saving and preserving art, artifacts, and items of historic interest for future generations.

Larry Ferguson

Omaha, NE. Photographer who travels globally capturing images of places, people, and things. An art advocate who supports the creative process, including photographic series like "Trees" and "Grain Elevators."

Watie White

Omaha, NE. An artist who understands the impact of public art in public places. His work with non-profit organizations enriches lives of Nebraskans, from an Omaha Public School Library to Habitat for Humanity. For his dedication to public art and creative contributions to the art and history of the Nebraska community.

Sara Kovanda

Lincoln, NE. Artist and artist advocate, responsible for the publication of "ArtMove" magazine. For her tireless work as the pulse and creative edge for fine art and artists throughout the publication's universe, documenting fine art, art history, and the movement of art and artists.

Doug Lewis

Bellevue, NE. For his biographical study of George Washington Lininger, founder of Nebraska's first art gallery. This study led to the discovery and documentation of the Masonic career of George Washington Lininger, culminating in the proclamation of a George Washington Lininger Day and an exhibition at Joslyn Art Museum.

Ophir Palmon

Papillion, NE. Photographic artist dedicated to education, documentation, and artist expression through photography of historic events. The exhibition "Future, Beware!" documents the atrocities of war through the "March of the Living – 2010," inspiring humanity to work toward a better future for all.

Kevin Sexton

For his valued service and contributions to the international world of music, art, literature, and history. The diversity of his abilities is far reaching. The state of Nebraska acknowledges his talents, service, knowledge, creative abilities, and the expertise he shared with others.

Emily Jane Dinsmoor Stevens

NE, MO, KS. For her valued contributions including teaching music in private schools, public schools, private lessons, and the ministry of music in churches. Her craft includes voice, piano, organ, violin, guitar, brass, woodwinds, and percussion from around the world.

Jerry Ferrara

Florida. Archeologist and CEO of Global Quest TV for his knowledge and understanding of the global culture of art, antiquities, and artifacts. Utilizing multi-media to bring discovery and historic fact to the global community.

Christopher Foltz

Chicago, IL. Public relations founder for changing the way the global community thinks about cultural art, antiquities, and artifacts through mass media.

Dallas Garland

Nevada. Global web cultural coordinator, information manager, and webmaster dedicated to presentations of mixed media in multiple formats, blending geological, archeological, scientific, academic, cultural, and historic discoveries as entertainment.

Carrie Layton

Omaha, NE. Regal Awards Manager for her contributions during the past 6 years for the Nebraska Art History Awards and the annual award process.

Lisa Lockwood

Chicago, IL. In appreciation for her support on an amazing fine art journey.

Julia Odorisio

Rome, Italy. Fine art specialist and research assistant for her fine art and academic research in Italy, France, and England, including the translation of a letter written by the Pope's art authenticator about a painting of importance.

Theodor Pardo

Nevada. "Official Ambassador of World Peace One" for his role in bringing fine art, artifacts, history, literature, and culture hidden for centuries to the eyes of the global community.

E. Wendell Stevens

Omaha, NE. Calligrapher, poet, artist, and editor for his support and dedication to Nebraska/American art history.

Joan "Jo" Hoffman

Clearwater, NE. Poet and author of the Great Plains.

Mark Masuoka

Omaha, NE. Executive Director, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Dedication and support to contemporary artists for enrichment of the Nebraska/International community, guiding the Bemis Center through its 30th year.

Winter Mendelson

Paris, France / Atlanta, GA. University of Georgia student and research assistant for the Napoleon Talisman project at the Louvre and the Napoleon Museum.

Anne Meysenburg

Omaha, NE. Executive Director, The Kent Bellows Studio and Center for the Visual Arts. Dedication to a place and space for art students to create, develop, and express their dreams and ideas.

Julia Odorisio

Rome, Italy. Fine art graduate, Sotheby's, and research assistant for early 18th century Italian letters discovered in Nebraska.

Marianne Smejkal

Omaha, NE. Graphic Artist for the Media Technology Center with Omaha Public School District. Taking white walls and transforming them into exciting places for students, teachers, staff, and families throughout the Omaha Public Schools.

Charles Wright

Lincoln, NE. Attorney. For the vision, development, and support of the 2012 Native American Juried Art competition at the Great Plains Art Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Theodore "Ted" Kooser

Garland, NE. American poet whose poetry "could have been written anywhere, in cities, in empty places."

Robert L. Miller

Chicago, IL. For his book "Heyn: The Stories of Three Photographers" documenting three Omaha photographers and their photographic work.

Amber Mohr

Lincoln, NE. Museum Administrator/Curator, Great Plains Art Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For her assistance in review of a newly discovered artist proof bronze by Charles M. Russell.

Julia Odorisio

London, UK. Research assistant with fine art research and translation of early 19th century letters discovered in Omaha, NE.

Connie Telfeyan

Bellevue, NE. Research assistant for summer projects for fine art and antiques.

Wayne Sealy

Omaha, NE. Art director, illusionist, and expert in artist style technique. His Mystery Manor Theater-Omaha is known internationally for development of makeup artists, actors, costume design, and staging.

Joe Greenleaf

Dublin, Ireland. Irish art research assistant working at the National Gallery of Ireland in the archives.

LaDonna Eriksen

Omaha, NE. Assistance with scientific and microscopic analysis of fine art.

Winter Mendelson

Snellville, GA. Student and research assistant for the Jack B. Yeats project.

Julia Odorisio

London, UK. Graduate student research at Villanova University for Jack B. Yeats "Broadside" and other publications. Research assistant for large American, Italian, and French estate. Nebraska art research in Paris and London.

RoseAnn Thramer

Omaha, NE. Educator, Millard Public Schools. Assistance with various projects summer and fall 2009.

Ryan Boney

Omaha, NE. Audio project manager, STRATCOM, converting Omaha Public Schools and Millard Public School music programs directed by Mrs. Emily Jane Stevens from analog to digital format.

Ed Bentley

Michigan. 19th Century American Art Historian.

Susan Heinemann

Asheville, North Carolina. Monet Exhibition USA.

Karen Hollingsworth

Omaha, Nebraska. Monet Exhibition USA.

Julia Odorisio

Omaha, NE. 19th and 20th century American artist history; American artists studying with Monet in France.

Will Anderson

Graduate of Doane College, 2007 B.A. in English. Researching Omaha art history independently at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He assisted editing an article for an international publication about the radiography of paintings. Also an award-winning independent filmmaker.

Laura Hollingsworth

Calvin College, 2008 graduate B.A. in Religion with a minor in Psychology. Research included periodical microfilm at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Discovered old photographs of 19th century art studios on Farnam Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

Audrey Jacobs

Creighton University, undergraduate in Fine Art, for her continuing research of Nebraska 19th century women artists at the Louvre in Paris, Omaha, and Kansas City.

Julia Odorisio

Graduate of Creighton University, B.A. in Art History, English Literature, French, and a Minor in Film Studies. Art research at the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, London National Gallery, and the Grand Lodge of England during the summer of 2007. Studying law at Villanova University.