Dances of the Cranes: MONA Art Workshop at Rowe Sanctuary

On the broad Platte River valley outside Gibbon, Nebraska, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary is where art meets migration. Dances of the Cranes with Susan Hart, a two-hour MONA workshop held at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, 44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon NE 68840, invites visitors to translate the river flats and crane choreography into pastel chalk, paint, and a single craft feather. The session opens with a brief introduction to local natural rhythms—why cranes gather here and how the wide Platte channel, cottonwood galleries, and seasonal mudflats shape Nebraska’s signature skies—then moves to the studio table where you create a simplified landscape and layer an abstract crane.

Instructor Susan Hart brings deep regional roots to the table. Raised in Gibbon and now working from rural Cozad, Nebraska, Hart earned a Bachelor of Arts in art education from Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska in 1981, taught art in Dawson County schools for 17 years, and continues to teach both children’s and adult workshops across the state. Her approach is practical and encouraging: expect demonstrations of pastel blending for sky and field, basic brushwork for a stylized crane, and time to add texture with glued feathers.

Practical details matter. The workshop runs two hours; cost is $30 per adult and $30 per young adult (ages 14–17). All art supplies are provided but you may bring your own materials. Check in at the Welcome Desk on arrival; note that all children ages 14–17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary is wheelchair accessible and will accommodate additional needs if requested during registration.

Why book this in a weekend itinerary? It’s one of the few experiences in the region that pairs intimate art instruction with immediate connection to a living migration story. After class you can walk the center’s grounds, listen for crane calls, or time a visit during spring crane season to see thousands of birds wheel above the Platte. The workshop suits beginners and experienced makers alike—no technical art skills required—and makes a meaningful souvenir you helped craft.

This program also supports local cultural networks: the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) partners with Rowe Sanctuary to bring community-centered education to the river valley. Whether you’re visiting for birding, a family trip, or a creative detour, Dances of the Cranes offers a slow, tactile way to leave with both a new technique and a better sense of why Nebraska’s river corridor matters. Bring a camera if you plan to photograph finished pieces and the grounds, wear sturdy shoes for short walks along river trails, and consider scheduling this workshop during spring migration for an added natural spectacle.