- Sections :
- More
Progress Through Paint and Perseverance…Creativity was in full bloom at the Hansen Museum this past weekend during our Mixed Media Painting Class! Using both acrylic and oil paints, Saturday’s participants brought a serene landscape to life, complete with a gentle stream in the background and cheerful flowers in the foreground. On Sunday, brushes turned nostalgic as painters captured a charming antique pickup truck. Each truck painting, while following the same basic outline, reflected personal touches and stories—some inspired by a grandparent’s vehicle, others tailored with meaningful details from current family life.
Both days were filled with laughter, learning, and color under the light-hearted guidance of instructor Sandy Seamone. We’re thrilled to announce that Sandy will return for another vibrant workshop in early 2026—this time with a western twist. Watch for registration details in the new year!
But creativity and progress rarely come without a few bumps in the road—quite literally. Construction around the Museum has begun in earnest. While visitors can still access the Museum via Main Street, Mill and Commercial Streets are currently closed, and Douglas Street offers limited access. Despite the disruption, our office team has hardly missed a beat. We anticipated the challenges, especially with the arrival of the ASTRONAUT exhibit, and planned ahead by moving classes and workshops off-site.
It’s not a major hardship—just one that requires extra time, effort, and coordination. Supplies must be packed and transported, two facilities must be managed, and logistics reworked. Dave, our resourceful grounds and maintenance expert, has had to rethink even routine tasks like mowing with limited access to the Museum square. He’s handled it all with a can-do attitude—but his efforts are a reminder: progress often demands sacrifice.
This theme—of adaptation in the face of challenge—is perfectly mirrored in ASTRONAUT, our current exhibit. Life, after all, goes on… even in space. Astronauts must carry out their daily routines, just like we do—only under far more demanding conditions. ASTRONAUT offers visitors hands-on activities and eye-opening insight into what it takes to become, and live as, an astronaut.
From managing basic needs like eating and using the restroom to navigating limited resources like water, astronauts must overcome constant obstacles. Eating in space looks nothing like dining out, and using the restroom at the International Space Station is a complex process compared to our daily routines here on Earth. Just wait until you learn how they manage to stay hydrated—you’ll never take a glass of water for granted again.
Yet these hardships are embraced in the name of discovery. Astronauts endure discomfort and risk for the sake of science, exploration, and progress. It seems fitting, then, that the construction chaos outside the Museum coincides with an exhibit celebrating those who boldly push forward despite adversity. The roadwork may cause minor inconveniences, but it also reminds us that every meaningful step forward—whether building a better road or exploring space—requires effort, adjustment, and resilience.
As July winds down, don’t miss your last chance to see the exquisite work of Kristin Johnson, our July Artist of the Month. A gourd artist from Hoxie, Kansas, Kristin creates stunning necklaces, ornaments, baskets, and more—each crafted from homegrown gourds and inspired by her uplifting creative vision. Her pieces, created under the name Praising Art, will be on display and available for purchase through the end of the month.
Adventure and exploration await you at the Hansen Museum. Whether navigating construction or exploring the wonders of space, visitors will experience firsthand how progress often walks hand in hand with challenge. Thanks to the generous support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, admission to the Museum is always free. ASTRONAUT is open through September 28th, and it’s the perfect destination for summer fun, learning, and inspiration for all ages. If you haven’t visited yet, now’s the perfect time to bring the whole family for an unforgettable journey. We hope to see you soon—on the road to progress.
