Lifetime of collecting Nebraska art showcased in Omaha exhibit

    Dr. J. Gordon Christensen has spent a lifetime promoting the musical and visual arts to generations of young Nebraskans.
    The Cathedral Arts Project in Omaha is exhibiting his collection of art by Nebraska artists at the Sunderland Gallery.
    The show opened May 16 and continues until Sunday, June 6.
    Christensen served as elementary music specialist  at Imperial Grade School/Chase County Schools for 41 years.
    He said collecting original oil paintings by Nebraska artists is one of his hobbies. He has amassed what is most likely the largest privately owned collection of art by Nebraska artists. His collection includes works by Gib Neal, Neil Christensen, Karen Kunc, Tom Palmerton and Keith Jacobshagen.
    Among the art show pieces on display is an oil on canvas by former CCS art teacher, Dik Haneline, titled “Enders and Enders Lake.”
    Art exhibit attendees will also see three paintings by Mick Shemonek, who lives north of Lake McConaughy. The lake is featured among the displayed paintings, Christensen said.
    The Sunderland Gallery is located at St. Cecilia Cathedral in the Cathedral Cultural Center at 3900 Webster Street in Omaha. Gallery hours are 12 noon to 4 p.m. CT, Tuesday through Sunday.
    Christensen, who visited Imperial earlier this month, has fond memories of the community, and talked about the Omaha exhibit while in Imperial.
    In 2000, he was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the State of Nebraska and the National Teacher of the Year award sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Education and Development, headquartered in Washington, D.C.