NORFOLK, Neb. -- The River Point Creative District received its designation from the state of Nebraska in October 2022.
The effort to form the River Point Creative District was led by community volunteers who believe in the power of the arts to help transform communities. In 2020, the Nebraska Legislature passed legislation to begin creative districts across the state. The funding mechanism initially was from the sale of “Support the Arts” license plates.
Through leadership that included then state Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk, state senators approved $1 million for creative districts the following year. A process was established, and Norfolk was the third creative district in the state to be certified. Ashland and Brownville were the first two.
There are now 30 such districts in Nebraska. Many of the districts have a priority of creating public art displays, working with partners to create more opportunities for art displays and cultural enrichment.
In 2023, the River Point Creative District (RPCD) received a development grant and took about a year to organize, with a group of volunteers leading the efforts. In 2024, RPCD hired Kara Weander-Gaster to serve as the director of this downtown Norfolk effort.
“The whole initiative is about bringing arts and economic development together,” said Kara Weander-Gaster, director of the RPCD.
Weander-Gaster said from the beginning, there was always talk about having an artist-in-residence. The RPCD is appreciative to Northeast Community College for allowing Michael Lynch, art instructor, to serve as the first one.
“One of our long-term goals is to have an artist-in-residency program. People can come to Norfolk, and stay for a period of time and create and have an impact on the community while they are here,” Weander-Gaster said. “We are working toward that, and in the interim, we are trying to have a model for the community to see and how that will impact the community.”
Lynch has been visible, allowing the community to see how it could work. He often worked during cultural events downtown during the fall semester. That allows the public to view what he is working on and ask him questions.
“We have been very fortunate to have Michael out in the community and the support of the college,” Weander-Gaster said. “They have been great partners, including Tony (Beardslee, Northeast program director of Arts & Design,) and the whole department. We love the idea that the college is giving you the time to be downtown.”
The idea began when Lynch and Weander-Gaster were talking about the vision they had last summer, and it grew from there. The hope is that Lynch will be the first of many more artists down the road.
Beardslee himself encountered Lynch working downtown at Johnson’s Park in early October. Lynch was painting near the North Fork River, and Beardslee took a few photos.
“He (Lynch) just sat down and was working, covering some of what already had been worked on and what was in progress (on the river).” Beardslee said.
That interaction was one of many that people had, but typical. Talking to others didn’t bother Lynch while he was painting, but more of a learning opportunity.
Lynch said this was different type of painting than what he has done, but it reminded him of his senior year in college when he spent a lot of time outside painting in the moment.
“It’s kind of like meditation, finding something there in the time and place that you are at. You try to find something in the place that you are at to make the ordinary extraordinary.”
Lynch said it is his hope that the spirit of the moment he was at translates into the canvas in his paintings.
Weander-Gaster said she knows many people have enjoyed watching Lynch paining in public, including at the Farmers Markets. There was one time, for example, when two little girls – about 5 and 7 -- were watching him paint, and one little girl said to the other, “That guy is magic! He put on some green paint, and then it was a tree!”
Weander-Gaster said that’s one of the hopes of this program, to spark interest in the arts, especially among young people.
The RPCD vision is to offer unique artistic opportunities and cultural experiences, where everyone is invited to participate, local creativity is nurtured, and innovative ideas are celebrated.
Its mission is to be an organizational hub in the heart of Norfolk, serving artists, business and cultural groups to attract young residents, visitors, and economic investment, to build Norfolk’s creative future.
Artist-in-Residence Program
Involved in the River Point Creative District artist-in-residence program are (from left) Tony Beardslee, Northeast director for Arts and Design; Michael Lynch, Northeast art instructor; and Kara Weander-Gaster, director of the River Point Creative District. (Northeast Community College)
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