"WEST INTENTIONS"

SEPTEMBER 30TH - NOVEMBER 15TH, 2025

PHOTOGRAPHY FROM NEBRASKA WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER ALAN J BARTELS

ARTIST'S RECEPTION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4TH FROM 5-7 PM

DRINKS AND TREATS WILL BE PROVIDED!

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT:

Artist Statement:

I resist the label of "artist." I prefer "storyteller" whether I am taking photos or writing.

I only print on canvas because the texture adds dimension and depth to the subjects that I photograph. To me, the texture of the canvas mimics real life.

I hope that people will view this varied assemblage collectively and realized that the Nebraska Sandhills--its people, wildlife, places, and history are beautiful beyond description. But through words and photography, I'm going to keep trying. 

Artist Bio:

Alan J. Bartels is a writer, photographer, student of nature, father, wanderer, and chronic volunteer.

He has been knocked unconcious by an emu; bitten by snakes, snapping trutles and a sandhills crane; has come home smelling of skunk, and once had a wild blackfooted ferret run up his leg. He's rescued owls, hawks, and eagles for Raptor Recovery Nebraska, and guided hundreds of sandhills crane tours for Rowe Sanctuary. He loves the Sandhills and has an appreciation for Nebraskans everywhere with strong ties to the land.

Alan's award-winning children's book, What's Going Down in Prairie Dog Town? was published in 2018. The forword was written by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, and proceeds from the book were donated to Goodall's Roots and Shoots youth service organization. 

Alan enjoys craft beer and is president of the Friends of Gracie--a group working with Sandhills ranchers to conserve wildlife and wild places. In 2000 alan was named Conservation Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. 

In 2016, Alan received the Rank of Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. In 2022, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts appointed Alan to the Governor's Council to Keep Nebraska Beautiful Board of Directors. In 2023 Alan joined the Board of Director for the Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association. Alan is a self-taught writer and photographer. His photographer. His photograph of Blanding's work has appeared in the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Magazine, USA Today, and dozens of other publications.

After 11 years with Nebraska Life Magazine, the 1989 graduate of Greeley High School and U.S. Army veteran left the fast-paced world of magazome deadlines in September 2021 and now works as the Information and Education Coordinator at the Lower Loup Natural Resources District in Ord, a job that allows him to teach children and adults in teh Sandhills and beyone about our state's precious natural resources. 

In 2025, Alan received the Friend of the Byway Award from the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway, and was announced as the Friend of Tourism by the Nebraska Tourism Commission later that year.

Alan's most recent book is 100 Things to Do in the Nebraska Sandhills Before You Die. His next book, Secret Nebraska Sandhills: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure will be released in April 2026. The book will feature nearly 200 of Alan's images.

"The Work of Joy Price"

Work from local artist and Box Butte Art Society member Joy Price

SEPTEMBER 2ND TO NOVEMBER 15TH, 2025

Joy Montgomery Price is a fourth generation member of pioneer Colorado and Wyoming ranch families. She was born in Craig, Colo., and grew up at nearby Dixon, Wyoming. 

Joy's lifetime interest in art has been strengthened by her studeies. She began the formal study of oil and watercolor at Union College in Lincoln, NE and has continued her education at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE, Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, NE and numerous seminars and workshops.

Joy has studied on location with several internationally known artists including Foster Caddell, Reynold Brown, and George Cherpov in oil; William B. Schimmel, Sr. in acrylic; Dong Kingman, Claude Croney, Zoltan Szabo, Rose Edin, Judi Betts and Tony Couch in watercolor. 

She has taught courses for local and regional high school conference activity days, conducted painting demonstrations for area art clubs as well as Elderhostel seminars.

Joy currently makes her home near Hemingford, NE in northwest Nebraska. The Hemingford community has benefited from Joy's work on the mural scenes for the annual Christmas diorama. She was honored to have her design win a logo contest for Hemingford's centennial celebration in 1986.

Her illustration are included in the books of the late Colorado author and historian V.S. Fitzpatrick.

Joy's works hang in privatae and corprate collection across the United States. Permanenet collections that include her work are: the Knight Museum, Alliance, NE, the Little Snake River Museum, Savery, WY, and the Museum of Northwest Colorado, Craig, CO. 

She generously shares her work through roatating displays at the Hemingford Community Care Center and in various businesses in Hemingford and Alliance, NE.