Imperial challenged to build art gallery

    Anyone who knows Dr. J. Gordon Christensen, a former elementary music teacher at Imperial Grade School and later Chase County Schools, knows he loves Imperial.
    Fondly calling it “Imperial USA,” Christensen was back in his former home community the past week.
    After celebrating his 80th birthday with friends and church members Sunday, he left some city officials speechless Monday night with both a major donation he plans to make and a challenge.
    He announced his plans Monday to donate 125 art pieces in his collection to the city, and challenged city officials to build an art gallery to house them.
     “I’m kind of speechless,” said  Mayor Dwight Coleman.
    Christensen told the council and mayor he has no heirs and wants to donate his art collection. He spoke highly of Imperial’s “intense interest” in developing fine arts in the community.
    Library Director Beth Falla was at the meeting and suggested an addition to the Lied Imperial Public Library that could house Christensen’s collection as well as a small studio for other library activities.
    Falla believes she and the library employees could also staff a potential art gallery, saving additional employee costs.
    Christensen said he anticipates it would take 2-3 years for the planning and fundraising for such an endeavor.
    Council member Doug Gaswick asked the status of  the Chase County Arts Council, suggesting that might be a good group to be involved in this project.
    Christensen helped found the arts council at least 40 years ago, and people in the community are attempting to rebuild it. Chelsea Zuege, also at the meeting, said they are making efforts to get it going strong again, but it’s been difficult with the COVID aftermath.
    Mayor Coleman said he will put together a committee to look into the art gallery possibility.
    Coincidentally, Monday’s city council meeting was held in the space where Christensen taught for many years in what was known as the Broadway school building.
    The city purchased the former school building, razing parts of it, after the school moved to its current location on East 9th St.
    Christensen taught in Imperial 41 years, starting in the 1969-70 school year.