By Kerri Rempp, Discover Northwest Nebraska
Landscapes, wildlife, pottery and large theater set pieces – they’re all the province of local artist Linda Dabbs, who relocated to Northwest Nebraska several years ago to seek inspiration for her art.
“I have never not drawn,” Dabbs said. “I’ve always loved art.
Her first career, however, was not in the art world. She began working at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo in 1971 as a vet tech and the hospital nursery supervisor. During the slower winter months, she sought approval to paint during the day and eventually began creating display dioramas for the zoo, too. Dabbs left the zoo briefly to relocate out of state, but when she returned to Omaha she was appointed as art director of the newly created art department at the zoo.
“It opened all the big corporate art departments in Omaha to me,” Dabbs recalled. Those art departments had been doing much of the work for the zoo, but as it grew it became apparent the facility needed an in-house department. The early years meant using “cheap 99 board,” colored pencils and wooden blocks she hand set to make signs.
“It was a good way to learn,” she said. “I learned by doing, and I learned a lot because I never learned to say ‘No. I can’t do that.’”
Eventually she was making display logs and rocks from fiberglass.
“I love that zoo. I watched it grow,” Dabbs said. When she started her journey at Henry Doorly, there were just 27 full-time employees. Dr. Lee Simmons spent nearly four decades as the zoo director, and Dabbs credits him with much of her growth as an artist, especially where animals are concerned.
“Dr. Simmons was adamant – you would not caricature his animals. So I became an illustrator basically, along with a graphic artist.”
“There are still so many people who recognize her artwork from her time at the zoo,” said Holly Counts, who curated Dabbs current show at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center in Chadron. “Dabbling in the Visual Arts” opened at the Sandoz Center in late September, featuring a variety of pieces from Dabbs.
The Sandoz Center typically showcases a faculty member annually this time of year, and Counts said Dabbs was an obvious choice, especially this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
“Linda came up as a perfect solution because she has such a variety. We didn’t need to bring other artists in with her,” Counts said.
After leaving Henry Doorly Zoo, Dabbs worked as an art director for advertising agencies around Omaha, including Imperial Outdoor Advertising, Misner Advertising Agency and Action Printing, as well as at Kelly S. King Faux Finish School. She decided to start her own graphics company as she searched for a better way to balance work and family. Freelance work for her company included Misner Advertising, the City of Moaha, Northwestern Bell Telephone Yellow Pages and Nebraska State Recycling.
In 2006, Dabbs added designing theater sets to her resume, working with Lofte Community Theater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Opera, Lincoln Community Playhouse, Kountz Memorial Theater at Mahoney State Park and Opera Omaha. A year later UNL Opera’s set for “The Most Happy Fella,” designed by Dabbs, won the International Trophy for Best Set at the Waterford International Festival of Opera in Waterford, Ireland.
Roughly five years ago, Dabbs left Omaha again, this time for Northwest Nebraska, living on a ranch north of Crawford. A friend who had been to the region encouraged her to visit the area, assuring her she would fall in love.
“I came out here and I saw it and said ‘Oh, yeah!’ So I came out to draw and paint and produce some art for myself,” Dabbs said. “I thought I was going to retire, but what I came out here for? Really, it was for me.”
Retirement for Dabbs, however, includes serving as an adjunct faculty member at the theater department at Chadron State College. Leaving eastern Nebraska had her asking one question: “I thought ‘Geez, what am I going to do, because I’m leaving theater,” Dabbs said. The opportunity to help at CSC filled that void, and gave her the opportunity to pass on one of the biggest lessons she’s learned.
“Dr. Simmons always said I needed to go back to school, but I couldn’t financially,” Dabbs said. Looking back she wishes she would have found a way and encourages students to not make that mistake. “And for the art students, they need the business background, too.”
After getting settled in Northwest Nebraska, Dabbs also started working with set design at the Post Playhouse at Fort Robinson State Park.
“That is such a gem,” Dabbs said of the Playhouse. “And the talent they bring in!”
Dabbs continues operating her own businesses, as well: Dabbs of Color, a faux finishing and mural business, and Fire Born, a pottery business. She prefers working with wood-fired pottery, and that’s been difficult since the relocation, but it’s another medium that pulls at her.
“I had an amazing art teacher in high school,” said Dabbs, who had a sculpture she completed in school tour the country after winning a scholastic competition. “I just like using my hands.”
Dabbs usually doesn’t use a potter’s wheel, preferring sculptural work, with many of her designs featuring sunflowers.
When asked if she has a favorite medium, of if they each feed a different part of her soul, Dabbs smiled and said “That’s it right there! I love it all!”
She maintains a studio at her ranch, but also works in the studio at White River Gallery in Crawford, owned by fellow artist Clarice Hynes. Sometimes the camaraderie and support of working in the same space inspires artists, and that supportive atmosphere is important.
“I would love to see artists come out here to explore and paint,” said Dabbs, adding that Crawford and Northwest Nebraska should become a destination for artists and art lovers.
Dabb’s current show will be on display at the Sandoz Center until Nov. 25, and she will have an artist-in-residence appearance Nov. 19.