Holdrege native and internationally recognized bronze sculptor George Lundeen returned home on August 27-28 for a weekend that lived up to the hype. He spoke to more than 100 Holdrege Middle and High School students at the Tassel Performing Arts Center, sharing how a kid who loved to draw ended up creating the life-sized sculptures now standing across Holdrege, including Promise of the Prairie, Field of Blue, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington.
He told students he'd always been searching for a way to tell a story. "You can do that with a picture or an object," he said. "Sometimes, if you do it well, you get a little attention." He also credited Holdrege teachers who nudged him toward art, including one who kicked him out of typing class and sent him to art class instead. Five lucky high schoolers even helped him set up his gallery show.
Friday evening, Lundeen spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Iron Horse Art Gallery, sharing the stories behind sculptures found everywhere from the Alamo (Davy Crockett), to the U.S. Capitol (Amelia Earhart), to the University of Illinois (Dick Butkus), and even Coors Field, where a 20-foot sculpture of Hall-of-Famer Larry Walker (created with his brother Mark) was installed just weeks ago. When asked how he wants to be remembered, Lundeen didn't hesitate: "As just a kid from Holdrege, Nebraska."
Nineteen of Lundeen's mini sculptures remain on display and for sale at the Iron Horse Art Gallery through September 16. Stop by during gallery hours or call 308-248-0001 to schedule an appointment.
