Open Frontier Art Shows & Collections.
The Open Frontier Creative District offers several art collections for viewing, from sculptures created through the 1% for Art Program to grassroots created murals and pioneer photography, you'll enjoy the creativity of local artisans.
Art Alley
The concepts for Art Alley have all been designed by local artists, and community-wide painting days brought them to reality. Now you can have even more fun as you explore Art Alley with the Scavenger Hunt, which includes some extra stops to view Chadron’s historical murals! More murals are planned in the future. To stay up-to-date with Art Alley, visit them here, and if you happen to be visiting us during a #PaintTheTown weekend pick up a brush and join in the fun.
More Collections & Shows
Chadron State College
Chadron State College is home to 44 pieces of the Nebraska 1% For Art Collection. The program, instituted in 1978, requires that 1% of the cost of state-funded construction projects be dedicated to commissioning works of public art. Chadron State College’s 1% collection is distributed throughout campus, and other works of art owned or donated to the college are also available for viewing.
Chadron Public Library
Housed in a historic Carnegie building, the Chadron Public Library has served the area for more than a century. With 80,000 items in its collection, the library offers books, audio books, movies, games and computer internet access. The library also hosts the annual Trading Stories Native American Film Festival and has a collection of Native American works on its shelves. In addition, the facility offers a variety of clubs and classes.Â
Eagle Movie Theatre
Film buffs will enjoy taking in a flick at the historic Eagle Theatre. Originally named the Pace Theatre at 141 Main St., the theatre moved to its current 244 Main St., location in 1924. The theater has regular showings of the latest movies. The historic building was constructed using influences of the Prairie School and Classical Revival design. Follow them on Facebook for show times and movie schedules.
Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center
The former Chadron State College Carnegie-style library serves as the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center. The center is dedicated to the life of Mari Sandoz, a famed Northwest Nebraska author. The permanent exhibit gallery and research archives houses artifacts from Sandoz’ life. The lower level of the center also houses the C.F. Coffee Gallery, featuring a collection of items detailing ranching on the High Plains. In addition, the Sandoz Center features rotating shows in its final gallery space and hosts receptions or artist-in-residence opportunities for the artisans its highlighting. The adjacent Chicoine Atrium serves as a space for musical performances and guest lectures, as well as meetings, social events, seminars and workshops.
Graves Collection
Ray and Faye Graves documented pioneer life in Northwest Nebraska. Ray died of the Spanish Flu in 1919, and Faye continued to operate their photography studio until 1940. Their glass plate negatives were almost lost to history, until they were discovered in 1973 during the demolition of their studio on Main Street. Construction equipment broke through a false wall, destroying an estimated 9,000 glass plates, but 1,100 were salvaged from the wreckage. They were stored at 248 Second Street, the community newspaper, for a time, until they were donated to Chadron State College. Today they are stored at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center, and most of the images have been digitized. The collection includes a wide range of subjects, including portraits of local residents, scenes of community life such as winter sleigh rides and maypole dances, and Native American life, including what is likely one of the last known photos to be taken of Chief Red Cloud. Â Some of the Graves Collection images are now on display at the Sandoz Center and at the Bean Broker Coffee House and Pub.Â
Chadron Open Art
The mission of Chadron Open Art is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where people of all ages and skill levels can come to learn about, create, and appreciate art. Chadron Open Art offers a variety of classes and workshops, as well as gallery space for local artists to exhibit their work. The gallery also hosts community events and festivals throughout the year, and is home to a custom framing business and a bakery.
