Nocturne Exhibit

JERENE KRUSE

Albion, Nebraska

Midnight Moment

Fused Glass

As I reflected on the word "nocturne," two memories from my nighttime experiences came to mind. When I was a child, the Disney movie "Cinderella" felt magical to me. However, when the clock struck midnight, Cinderella was no longer the belle of the ball. Later, as a teenager, I often found myself racing to get home by midnight, determined to stay on the "straight and narrow" path and meet my curfew.

I combined these two memories to create a midnight-themed artwork featuring various shades of blue and purple, using carefully cut pieces of glass. This abstract piece holds tangible memories for me.

Nocturne Exhibit

KATHLEEN LOHR

Columbus, Nebraska

Rock-a-bye Baby

Pastel

Early pioneer settlers typically went to sleep at dusk since little could be accomplished in the dark, and candles and lanterns were expensive.  Many of these settlers practiced a “biphasic routine” which involved sleeping in two blocks of about four hours each instead of one continuous block of 6–8 hours.   During the 1–4 hours of wakefulness between the two sleeps, they engaged in activities such as prayer, chores, socializing…and rocking babies.

Nocturne Exhibit

SAMMY LYNN

Glenvil, Nebraska

Moonshine

Batik

A vintage photograph holds memories and mysteries.  A 'found' photograph, absent any information, leaves the viewer imagining the story of the people, place, time, and occasion.  This unknown information remains an intriguing mystery.

Nocturne Exhibit

DEBORAH MONFELT

Wymore, Nebraska

Harvest with Aurora Borealis

Oil

In the fall of 2025, many areas of the lower United States were blessed with several nights of the dazzling aurora borealis. Such an amazing visual treat included stellar documentation using a camera. This event coincided with the annual soybean harvest. The harvest and heavenly light show remind us of other historic connections between man, the heavens, and the land, inspiring this painting.

Nocturne Exhibit

JULIA NOYES

Lincoln, Nebraska

Dreaming of Spring

Mixed Media Acrylic

“Dreaming of Spring” was inspired by the twilight after sunset. I sat on a bench outside my downtown studio and posed for a reference photo. Working from that image in mixed-media acrylic, I wanted to convey a nocturnal mood combined with a hopeful sense of spring. The glow of the streetlights deepened the painting’s mystery and atmosphere. I was also influenced by James Abbott Whistler’s Nocturne series and the work of Van Gogh.

Nocturne Exhibit

DONNA SCHIMONITZ

Lincoln, Nebraska

Aurora and Milky Way Reflection

Acrylic

As a young girl, mom and dad were awakened by my brother and me to see the aurora borealis. The northern lights would churn and dance across the sky with ribbons of green on a magenta sky. On other viewings, they slowly vibrated and glowed with the citrus and berry colors. Reflections in a line of fish ponds mirrored the electrified show.

Nocturne Exhibit

PATSY SMITH

North Platte, Nebraska

Starry Night

Watermedia

On a clear night, Nebraska offers an unobstructed view of the night sky, revealing a breathtaking display filled with stars. The moon and stars illuminate our fields, creating a beautiful dance of light. Looking across the plains, you can see the glow of well-lit ranches and farms. It's a blessed sight, capturing the essence of the connection between heaven and humanity!

Nocturne Exhibit

JOAN SWIM

Springview, Nebraska

Beauty at Every Hour

Oil

Nature provides infinite experiences within each moment. Night or day, it opens opportunities to view its unique beauty. The native sunflower not only reflects the sun, but also graces the night.

Nocturne Exhibit

AMY TOMASEVICZ

Columbus, Nebraska

Bella Luna

Alcohol Ink

Nocturne is a French/Latin word meaning “belonging to the night.” It often evokes romantic, reflective emotion through the use of music or art in a lyrical, dreamy way.  I feel the moon is an iconic symbol seen in its glory at night, and is commonly associated with dreams and romance.

This alcohol ink painting, “Bella Luna”, presents an exaggerated moon illuminating nature and reflecting reality and personal interpretation.