Nov. 14, 2025 – May 17, 2026
I often return to the idea of sense of place—how it roots us in our past and shapes our present. In many exhibitions, I explore ways to invite viewers to reflect on their own sense of place, using it as a lens through which to experience the art.
Our latest exhibition in the Contemporary Gallery revisits this familiar theme, sparked by a recent and significant addition to our collection: a portrait of an unknown Native American chief by Clarence Ellsworth (1885–1961). This evocative work becomes a focal point in a broader selection of pieces from our permanent collection, including artworks that reflect on Indigenous presence, pioneer expansion, and the evolving narratives of the American West.
Together, these works reflect the complex and often conflicting narratives of westward expansion—a period that profoundly reshaped the nation’s identity. During this era of transformation, Native peoples endured the dislocation of traditions and land, while settlers stepped into unfamiliar territories in search of opportunity—each confronting an uncertain future.
Little more than a century after Lewis and Clark’s expedition, settlers and explorers were forging into lands already deeply inhabited and culturally rich—lands too often seen as empty or available. This exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the consequences of that expansion, and to consider home, belonging, and displacement as lived experiences—not only of the past, but also through the imaginative power of art.
We are grateful to the Museum of Nebraska Art for the opportunity to exhibit additional works by Clarence Ellsworth, and remain committed to strengthening the educational context around our permanent collection.
By Amanda Guenther, Curator