Area stays in artistic spotlight

Southwest Nebraska is once again in the spotlight for its artistic accomplishments. The latest recognition comes in the form of a front page article in Monday's issue of the Omaha World-Herald. The excellent writeup features full-color photos of Sculptor Gary Ginther and the 10-foot tall Bison he is crafting for Ted Turner, the owner of the largest bison herd in America.

The massive bison sculpture, which is about two-thirds larger than a typical bison, should be completed in about two months. At that time, Ginther will accompany the bison creation to Atlanta, where he will supervise the installation at a Ted's Montana Grill establishment.

Showing this area's leadership in the arts is the fact that Turner's selection of Ginther as the sculptor came as a result of viewing a replica of the Prairie Bull sculpture which Ginther did for McCook.

The 800-pound Prairie Bull, already renowned as a McCook symbol, is positioned in front of the town's long-time Carnegie library at the corner of Norris Avenue and West E Street.

Ginther, a 1965 graduate of McCook High School, returned to this area from Colorado and now does his sculpting at his cabin at Harry Strunk Lake, located 10 miles northwest of Cambridge. He credits his junior high art instructor in McCook, Greg Herring, with inspiring his fascination with sculpting.

After returning, Ginther has earned glowing acclaim. In addition to the bison he is doing for Turner, the 57-year-old sculptor has crafted prehistoric dinosaurs, called dimetrodons, for the Museum of Natural History in Las Vegas, and jumping bighorn sheep as the centerpiece for a sculpture for the City of Las Vegas.

Ginther says Southwest Nebraska is an excellent environment for his artistic endeavors. "There's a tradition of excellence here," he said. That is especially evident in the arts, with the work of Sondra Jonson, Jon Leitner and Ginther all in demand -- both regionally and nationally.

The artwork of Don Dernovich, former art instructor at McCook Community College, also commands a widespread market. Recently, four area art enthusiasts -- Jan Blank and Norma Stevens of McCook; Nola Straub of Wauneta; and Pat Schaffert of Indianola -- were among participants at an on location painting workshop led by Dernovich in Wyoming. As further evidence of the McCook area's artistic emphasis, Justine Richardson of Stratton was in Santa Fe recently for a painting workshop, and John Clesson's stained glass creations are selling in a multi-state region.

A tradition of excellence in the arts ... with this area's creations gaining acclaim throughout the United States. It's another reason to take pride in the Good Life of the Golden Plains.