Cozad's artistic heritage is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Robert Henri, a renowned painter and son of the town's founder, John J. Cozad. Henri's influence stretches far beyond Cozad, as he championed realism and captured everyday life with remarkable authenticity, leaving an indelible mark on the global art scene.In tribute to Henri's legacy, Cozad embarked on an ambitious project organized by the Cozad Development Corporation: outdoor art installations featuring fiberglass palettes adorned with unique designs by various artists. These palettes serve as vibrant canvases, transforming the town into an open-air gallery that celebrates its artistic spirit.The choice of fiberglass as the medium is not only a nod to Henri's painterly craft but also symbolizes Cozad's resilience and adaptability. These installations invite residents and visitors to explore the town's artistic offerings, fostering a deeper connection to its cultural identity.Moreover, the palettes serve as cultural landmarks, enhancing Cozad's appeal as a destination for art enthusiasts. They encapsulate the town's diverse artistic community and invite all to experience the beauty and creativity that define Cozad's artistic legacy.

The Spirit of Nebraska East 7th and E Street   

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Cozad is well known for our art heritage. Our outdoor art projects celebrate this spirit while making art accessible at all times of the day. Celebrate Cozad's artistic legacy of Robert Henri, world famous painter and son of Cozad's founder John J. Cozad, with artwork on fiberglass palettes displayed at various locations around town. Each of the 19 fiberglass palettes is a work of art celebrating a unique design painted by various artists.

Cozad Creates Palette Icons

Enjoy a tour of some of the Museums and Public Art in the Haymaker Creative District - check back soon, we are adding more to this site all the time!

Robert Henri, born Robert Henry Cozad in 1865, emerged as a seminal figure in American art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Raised in Cozad, Nebraska, his early life was marked by tragedy when his father, John J. Cozad, founder of the town Cozad, became entangled in a feud resulting in a fatal confrontation that prompted the family to change their surname to Henri and relocate to Atlantic City. As a young man, Henri's artistic talents flourished, eventually leading him to study in Paris under the renowned academic painter Jean-Léon Gérôme.Returning to America, Henri became a leading figure in the Ashcan School, a movement that rejected academic conventions in favor of depicting everyday urban life with gritty realism. His influential teachings at the New York School of Art, where he emphasized the importance of individual expression and direct observation, helped shape the course of American art education.The Robert Henri Museum and Art Gallery in Cozad pays homage to his legacy, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in his life and work. The museum, situated in Henri's restored childhood home, provides a poignant glimpse into his formative years and family history. Through meticulously curated exhibits, such as "Through My Own Language" and "Painters of A New Century," patrons gain insight into Henri's artistic evolution and the impact of his teachings on subsequent generations of artists.

This Nebraska art gallery was established in 2014 and is dedicated to honoring Robert Henri, a renowned American artist and teacher who was born in Cozad in 1865 and lived in the historic home next to the gallery. The museum includes the most extensive collection of his work in the country, including an immersive experience within the exhibit titled "Through My Own Language: Robert Henri and His Portraits, Landscapes, and Sketches," which includes many of the artist's best works along with personal items. The Robert Henri Museum is located within the artist's restored childhood home which was built around eight years after the artist's birth. Visitors to the museum can explore furnished rooms, family treasures, and a museum shop. The museum hosts events throughout the year, including receptions and festivals, and seeks to be a center for art and community. Additional museum exhibits, like "Robert Henri: From the 100th Meridian to International Fame," shed light on Henri's Nebraska ties.

Robert Henri Museum

The tradition of painting barns with these distinctive patterns can be traced back nearly 300 years to the arrival of European immigrants from Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. In those times, paint was quite expensive, prompting settlers to adorn their barns with decorative quilt designs, not only for aesthetic appeal but also as practical markers for travelers seeking specific families or intersections. This practice is believed to have originated in Pennsylvania and served as a precursor to modern signage.By the 1830s to 1840s, as paint became more affordable, barn painting evolved into a specialized trade, blending folk motifs with geometric patterns from quilt squares such as the Snail Trail, Bear Claw, Mariners Compass, and Drunkard's Path. The trend of embellishing barns with colorful designs and quilt squares reached its zenith at the turn of the 20th century, eventually giving way to more utilitarian advertisements for products like Red Man Chewing Tobacco, Ceresota Flour, and Mail Pouch. This transition marks a nostalgic chapter in the history of American barns. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in barn quilts.

This community art installation nestled in downtown Cozad, Nebraska, span six by fifty feet and showcases quilt blocks that represent each of the 50 states, akin to official state symbols. Utilizing designs from the United States Patchwork Pattern Book, licensed by Dover Publications, Rose Mapel of Artistic Innovations meticulously painted each block, ensuring coherence in color and design. Discover this vibrant tapestry adorning the Mead Lumber storage building, offering a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of each state.

50 States Barn Quilt

“Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” from The Dot, by Peter H Reynolds.The library’s first outdoor artwork was donated in 2012 in memory of Gerald “Red” Davenport, a long-serving board member. Two young children sit on a bench learning their ABCs together: the beginning steps of literacy. This was the first mark. Today, seven pieces are currently on exhibit outdoors:· Wisdom and Understanding, Gary Lee Price· Knowledge, Gary Lee Price· Two Kids on a Bench, Max Turner· Metal Book Page, Justin Kinnan· Windswept Reflections, concept by Trudy Geiger· The Reading Tree, Preston McDaniels· Peacock Wings, Karen NepplEach piece has a story behind it waiting to be explored: some are inspirational, while others are motivated by sorrow. Peacock Wings, acquired in 2021, is part of a collection seen around Cozad in both obvious places as well as unexpected ones. The series of Rhakenna’s Wings memorializes one of our own: a joyful 3-year-old who passed away unexpectedly. This tribute gave the Cozad community an outlet for its grief, not just for Rhakenna, but for all those carried from this life to the next on the wings of angels. Each pair of wings is a spark of joy designed to bring delight and whimsy, just what a 3-year-old would enjoy.As the library continues to expand its art collection, community is at the forefront of planning. Butterfly benches and new landscaping will soon grace the outdoor spaces, available through the Cozad Library Foundation. The library also invites the community indoors. During the library’s open hours, the public is also invited inside to explore the ever-growing indoor art collection featuring both local and regional artists. Art is a verb, ever changing, ever reflecting the heart and soul of a town and it belongs everywhere.

This sculpture garden dates back to 2012, when a work in honor of a long-serving board member was donated to the library. Since that time, the library and its supporters have worked to expand the garden to include works that blend art and nature to help residents and visitors form a sense of place unique in the world. This effort reflect Wilson Public Library's goal to support Cozad’s commitment to artistic expression and to the natural world. Inspired by the numerous art pieces within the library, the sculptures around the library amplify the importance of literacy, industriousness, self-growth, and togetherness. Open to the public 24/7, the Wilson Public Library Sculpture Garden display encourages visitors to meander the pathways and ponder the message of each piece.

Haymaker Creative District Walking Tour

Cozad Creates Palette Icons

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