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I just returned from a week away—my husband, son, and I spent a lovely stretch of time in the North Fork Valley on the Western Slope in Paonia, Colorado. My sister lives there, and the main purpose of our visit was for my son to hunt. After years of applying for a deer tag, he was finally drawn to hunt on private land in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. My sister’s family are avid hunters and were over the moon to take Ethan on his quest. As natives of the area, they had many friends willing to let him hunt on their land. To everyone’s delight, he was successful on the evening of his first full day. He harvested a mule deer buck that scored 156 6/8. I’m not much of a hunter, so the number itself doesn’t mean much to me—but Ethan was thrilled, and that’s what matters.
Ethan spent the rest of the week hunting with his cousin Lacy, who had elk and deer tags on public land. Their days began at 4:45 a.m. so they could get into position before sunrise. My job was to drive Ethan to meet Lacy each morning. They trekked across Green Mountain and Black Ridge Canyon while I watched the most beautiful mountain sunrises from the comfort of my car on the way back to my sister’s home.
My husband and I used our free time to explore the area. Whenever we travel, I look for art—whether individual studios or museum collections. It’s probably the nature of the beast, considering I spend much of my working life searching for art. I’m not sure if it was because of the Museum’s current exhibits or simply coincidence, but this trip I found myself drawn to sculptures, mosaics, and jewelry. The Museum’s current exhibit features Sondra Jonson’s sculptures and mosaics, and our Artist of the Month is Sami J. Randle with her beautiful metal-woven jewelry.
In Paonia, we came across some wonderfully eclectic metal sculptures—my husband actually spotted them first. The artist used pieces of vehicles to build his works, incorporating antique glassware here and there. What first caught our eye was a whimsical fusion of an old Ford station wagon and an airplane. It was fun and imaginative—think steampunk meets The Jetsons. Another piece that especially struck me combined vintage vehicle bumpers with carnival glass. Who would ever think to put those two materials together? Yet the result was anything but junky—modern with a hint of vintage, sleek and surprisingly elegant.
In Glenwood Springs, I discovered an array of talented jewelry artists. Some specialized in hammered metal work—quite different from Sami’s intricate woven designs. Others showcased gorgeous semi-precious stones, and there was a notable amount of abalone. Although abalone doesn’t occur naturally in Colorado, it must be a popular look right now. Its iridescent blues, greens, and purples make every piece a one-of-a-kind treasure.
Monday brings me back to the Museum, and I’m happy to return to the work of some of Kansas’s most talented artists. Exploring new places is always rewarding, yet I find myself deeply appreciative of the community and collections (permanent and traveling) that make the Hansen Museum so special. Northwest Kansas is fortunate to have such a high-quality facility in the heart of Logan. I hear it from visitors often, but occasionally I need to step away and see for myself—and each time, I return with an even greater sense of pride in what we offer.
Stay up to date with Museum news and events by following the Hansen Museum on Facebook. The Museum is located at 110 W. Main Street in Logan, Kansas. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00–12:00 and 1:00–4:00; Saturday, 9:00–12:00 and 1:00–5:00; Sunday and holidays, 1:00–5:00. The Museum is fully handicap-accessible, and thanks to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, admission is always free. For more information, call 785-689-4846. We hope to see you at the Museum soon.
