Whispers of Home
www.WillaCather.org
Red Cloud Opera House Gallery
413 North Webster Street
Red Cloud, NE 68970
United States
We are excited to announce Whispers of Home, a solo show featuring the abstract collage and mixed media works of Nebraska artist Susan Hart.
Previously, Hart's work has been exhibited in our gallery as part of Impact Nebraska's group shows. During that 2019 show, we were so taken with Hart's evocative use of found objects, hand-painted papers, and a muted palette resulted in textural pieces that invited our patrons to linger and contemplate. As our featured artist during our 2026 Spring Conference, Hart's work elevates simple techniques to the level of art as it explores our conference theme of "Memory, Myth, and Meaning."
We will welcome Susan Hart to the Red Cloud Opera House gallery on Friday, June 5, for a gallery reception and short remarks. Our gallery and this reception are free and open to the public.
Programming at the National Willa Cather Center's Red Cloud Opera House Gallery is made possible with the support of the Baldwin Foundation, Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
Artist's Statement
I have always been intrigued with line, shape, texture, and color. Using a mix of media within a non-objective/abstract theme allows me to explore those things in the process of creating my paintings. My work uses familiar elements to uncover the unfamiliar.
I feel that my work is reflective of what I enjoy most—the creative process. My process involves more than creating a pleasing design. It includes gluing down my hand-painted papers, incorporating various found items, and applying acrylic paint. The process is a dynamic journey of layering paint, paper, and texture, each step revealing new dimensions and depth. The dance of adding and subtracting builds a sense of time, memory, and mystery through historical context, inviting viewers to uncover hidden narratives with each piece.
I am fascinated with how the viewer relates to my work. Viewer interactions often reveal unexpected interpretations and insights, which in turn inspire new directions in my art. These dialogues enrich my creative process and deepen my understanding of the themes I explore. These interactions not only deepen my understanding of my own work but also inspire new creative directions. It is my objective to fully develop this gift that I have been given.
Artist's Bio
Susan Hart grew up in Gibbon, Nebraska, and currently lives in rural Cozad with her husband, Jim. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education from Kearney State College in 1981. Susan taught elementary art for seventeen years in Dawson County rural schools and now conducts artist workshops throughout the state. Recently, she has been involved in teaching and making art with her four grandchildren.
Hart is a member of IMPACT, a juried organization of nationally-recognized artists based in Nebraska. She has participated in both solo and group juried exhibitions, including programs organized by the Nebraska Arts Council such as the Governor’s Residence and the Fred Simon Gallery. Her work has also been accepted into exhibitions by the National Collage Society, the International Society of Experimental Artists, and the 1516 Biennial Exhibition. Hart holds signature membership in the International Society of Experimental Artists and the National Collage Society.
Her work appears in private collections as well as permanent collections at Nebraska institutions like the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney, Doane College in Crete, York College in York, and the Kimmel Harding Nelsen Center for the Arts in Nebraska City. Susan is an associate member of the Burkholder Project Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska.