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Homestead Days activities at Homestead National Monument of America begin on Friday, June 17, 10 a.m.at the Homestead Education Center with a variety of demonstrations of traditional arts, crafts, and skills necessary for homesteaders. In addition, two speakers, Audrey Kalivoda and Ellen Kuhl, will be featured at the Heritage Center at 2 and 3 p.m. At 2 p.m. Audrey Kalivoda's film "Kansas: The Center of it All" brings alive the history of our neighbor to the south, Kansas, its landscapes and communities.Each segment of the film tells Kansas history, and places you can go to see that history. "Kansas: The Center of it All" is a tribute to Kalivoda's roots. She grew up on a farm in north central Kansas with a family that loved to travel and explore their state. A camping trip to Palo Duro Canyon, Texas and a dare from a ranger to produce a documentary on the Canyon set the wheels in motion for her career in film. Kalivoda also believes those early documentaries on the "Wonderful World of Disney" had an influence on her. She is currently working on her sixth film, this one focusing on Kansas ecosystems and dramatic landscapes. Copies of her film will be available for sale through the Homestead bookstore and Kalivoda will be available for signing and questions. At 3 p.m.Artist in Residence Ellen Kuhl, a painter, sculptor and weaver from Stamford, Nebraska, will present a special program based on her time spent working on her art at Homestead National Monument of America. Kuhl was born and raised in southwestern Colorado where every road into Montrose, her hometown, is listed as a scenic highway. One of the first questions she encounters when her origin is discovered is, "Why would you live and work in Nebraska?" The fact is that living in Nebraska has allowed her to develop an intimacy with nature's beauty that is hard to encounter when your attention is always directed at the horizon. Kuhl said Homestead National Monument of America offers a plethora of inspiration and she would like to hear your ideas concerning the surroundings as she is working. Every person has a unique view of the world and we can all learn from one another. During her presentation on June 17, Kuhl will be discussing how living in the plains has influenced her art. Different inspiration requires different media. Examples of drawing, painting, weaving, photography and pottery will illustrate the close relationship of Creation and the artist. The presentation will encourage audience participation and there will be an opportunity for hands on creating. "We are delighted to have these special speakers for Homestead Days at Homestead National Monument of America. Kansas' history is rich with homesteading;and the artist in residence program helps us look at the Monument in new ways, keeping the Homestead story fresh and alive", stated Superintendent Mark Engler. Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2016, the Centennial year of the National Park Service. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (Homestead National Monument of America). Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska and 45 miles south of Lincoln. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.daily through Labor Day. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit https://www.nps.gov/home/. |
Last updated: May 3, 2018