The objectives for our conference are to promote professional and personal growth, provide a forum for networking with colleagues, develop leadership, inspire, and recognize excellence in the field. Our conference has a theme of Connections By Design, with a focus on the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and the use of technology in designing a 21st century curriculum for our students.
Keynote and Workshops
Sutton House
Frank Lloyd Wright designed Sutton House, McCook, NE
Friday we will focus on Frank Lloyd Wright Sutton House, with tours of the private residence in McCook belonging to Van and Jan Korell. Attendees will rotate through the tour and other workshops at multiple locations, including the McCook Community College Art building, downtown McCook and the historical Keystone Hotel.
Kenneth Shelton
Kenneth currently holds an M.A in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology as well as New Media Design and Production. An Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Innovator, Kenneth regularly gives keynotes and hands-on workshops such as Technology Integration, Creative Expression, Photography, Visual Learning and more. Kenneth is a Global Keynote Specialist and Technology Integration Strategist. He has offered to present a workshop on Friday for iphone photography as well as workshops on Saturday. Kenneth says, “Technology will never replace the paint brush, but we have to use it for to get our art out there, for advocacy, and for social change.”
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Becky Meyers is the Graphic Design/Visual Communications instructor for Mid-Plains Community College. She has worked in the field of graphic design for more than 30 years and has also completed many commissions in interior design, photography, and painting. Becky has a passion for traveling and these journeys are often the inspiration for her design and art work. Surrealism is an art movement that has always intrigued her, so she will be doing a workshop demonstrating how to use the perspective grid and 3d capabilities in Adobe Illustrator to create an advertisement with a surrealistic appearance.
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Becky Meyers, The Light
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Historic Keystone Hotel
Registration and home base on Friday. The classic grandeur of the former Keystone Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for our special occasion. 
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Member Art Exhibition
Juried by Rick Johnson
Juried by Rick Johnson
Floral by Rick Johnson
Rick Johnson is a lifelong resident of Southwest Nebraska, growing up enjoying the wonderful landscape which has been his enduring inspiration in most all of his artwork. He is a graduate form McCook Community College, receiving a BFA form the University of Nebraska Kearney, and an MFA form the University of Idaho where he taught for four years. Returning to Southwest Nebraska, he is currently the Instructor of Art at McCook Community College for the past 12 years. Johnson enjoys spending time out of doors fishing/camping/ and just spending “play time” with his wife Kim of 15 years, and 6 children, 3 boys, and 3 girls which he loves and cherishes.
A deep appreciation for nature is at the heart of my paintings. In my work I seek to convey the landscape as I experience it emotionally as well as visually. My paintings convey the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the shadows, and the touch of the breeze. "It's all about light and mood and capturing your impression on canvas." Whenever I am in nature, (which I frequently am) I visually try to communicate the brilliant colors of fall and the vivid greens of spring that have inspired numerous paintings, as have flaming sunsets and dramatic cloud formations. "I love the painterly quality of a luscious, thickly applied brushstroke, If I have a strong emotional response to a scene, I may use thick paint and bold brushstrokes to convey that. I might be attracted to a landscape because of the way the grass is being blown by the wind or the way the light hits the leaves,”, but I have to recapture the psychological impact the scene had on me, or the painting doesn't work." The act of painting makes feel alive and is as essential to me as breathing. "I'm at my easel constantly because painting gives me a sense of freedom and makes me who I truly am."
Thank You Conference Supporters!
Providing Funding For Underwriting Conference
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Providing Funding For Underwriting Conference
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Providing Workshop Supplies
Providing Financial Support for Member Awards Banquet
Providing Centerpieces for Awards Banquet
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McCook Public Schools Technology Department: Providing Keynote Speaker
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Providing Workshop Supplies
Conference Vendor
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