2023 Nebraska Biennial
September 8 - December 17, 2023
About the Nebraska Biennial
Gallery 1516 developed the Nebraska Biennial exhibition in 2017. The Nebraska Biennial is a juried exhibition held every two years. The exhibition brings together artists from various styles, mediums, and backgrounds and showcases their work to the public. All submissions for the Biennial are reviewed blindly by a panel of judges from across the state. This process ensures artwork is chosen without bias or name-recognition. The Biennial is open to all Nebraska artists, including students and current and former residents.
The original Nebraska Biennial was held at the Joslyn from 1932-1988 with Grant Wood as its first judge. As part of our mission to support Nebraska artists, Gallery 1516 revived the exhibition in 2017 to provide a much-needed stage for a diverse range of artists. Over the years, the exhibition has continued to grow and evolve. To learn more, see the artwork that was featured in the 2019 and the 2021 Nebraska Biennial exhibitions.
There were 899 pieces submitted for consideration for the 2023 Nebraska Biennial. From those submissions, 115 artists were selected to participate in the exhibition. Artwork represented nine different categories: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Ceramics/Pottery, Sculpture, Digital Art, Multimedia/Other, and Student Work.
Awards
A total of $11,500 in awards were presented.
Category Prizes - $1,000 each for the best work in each of 9 categories: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Ceramics/Pottery, Sculpture, Digital Art, Multimedia/Other, Student
Viewers’ Choice - $2,500 for best work voted on by the public
2023 Award Winners
Viewers’ Choice: Jeremy Caniglia - “Hope is on the Horizon”
Best Painting: Lucas Kotschwar - “Wraith”
Best Drawing: Mari Dailey - “Bully Committee”
Best Printmaking: Anne Burton - “Heat”
Best Photo: Scott Dobry - “Modu in Profile”
Best Ceramics: Jaden Estes-Carlson - “Women in Their Beds”
Best Sculpture: Chad Fonfara - “Incidentals”
Best Digital Art: Denis Hagen - “Nightbird”
Best Multimedia: Michael F. James - “Guilty Pleasures No. 10”
Best Student Work: Dawson Adams - “Head 8”
Also learn about the Regional Photography Biennial
The Regional Photography Biennial, introduced in 2022, is a juried exhibition held in even-numbered years. Gallery 1516 created the exhibition in service of our mission to celebrate both Nebraska and regional artists. The Regional Photography Biennial is a way to showcase the artistic talent of photographers from the seven-state region of Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Entries came from cities including Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City, St. Louis, Colorado Springs, Des Moines, Sioux Falls, Jackson Hole, and Denver.
About Gallery 1516
Gallery 1516 is a platform to celebrate Nebraska and regional arts. As a non-profit organization, our mission is to support artists and creatives. We do not take commission fees from artwork sales, allowing artists to receive 100% of the sale price. We also create opportunities to showcase and promote the arts through exhibitions, performances, lectures, and more. We curate traveling exhibitions and collaborate with other museums and educational, professional, and performing arts organizations to reach diverse audiences.
Gallery 1516 is committed to making all forms of the arts, including visual arts, music, literature, and architecture, easy for the public to access, learn from, and enjoy. Our mission for Nebraska and regional artists affirms and encourages the vital role that art plays in the community.