Museum of Nebraska Art, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Dana Fritz’s photographs reveal the forces shaping the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands.
Once the world’s largest hand-planted forest, the site is known colloquially as the Nebraska National Forest at Halsey. Wind, water, planting, thinning, burning, decomposition, and sowing all play a role in its environmental history.
In her exhibition Dana Fritz: Field Guide to a Hybrid Landscape, currently on view at MONA in the Lauritzen Gallery, Fritz thoughtfully observes the human imprint on our environmental history, the devastating yet restorative effects of wildfire, and the resilience of nature. Her black-and-white photography provides a rich and educational narrative for museum visitors, seamlessly connecting the state’s natural landmarks through poignant and nuanced imagery of the Nebraska National Forest at Halsey and the Bessey Nursery.
Through her visual storytelling, Fritz’s photography frames the historic significance and present relevance of the experimental landscape. Join the Museum for an artist talk about the making of this work on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Founders Gallery. This event is free and open to the public.
About the Artist
Fritz is currently a Hixson-Lied Professor of Art in the School of Art, Art History, and Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute and a Master of Fine Arts from Arizona State University.
Contact Info
For further inquiries and additional information, please contact Gina Garden at 308-865-8870 or gardengm@unk.edu.
About The Museum of Nebraska Art
The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) celebrates the history of Nebraska’s visual art for diverse audiences. MONA collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and interprets the work of artists who were born, lived, trained, or worked in Nebraska or who created artworks that reflect the culture of Nebraska.
As the home of Nebraska’s official state art collection, the Museum of Nebraska Art endeavors to be the cultural center for Nebraska art and artists by providing quality exhibitions and programs, by expanding its collection, and by preserving its historic building. MONA looks to the future for the growth of its operations and facilities.
In addition to collecting and preserving art, MONA provides scholarly, educational, and outreach programming and actively pursues opportunities for ongoing community engagement. MONA’s education and engagement initiatives include tours and hands-on workshops for thousands of students and adults each year, leading audiences to a greater understanding of the artwork on display and of their own lives and experiences.
MONA is open 6 days a week. Admission is free.
