The Blank Slate
Murdock Museum Mural Project Kicked Off With BBQ and Design Unveiling
From past, to present, and into the future of Murdock is the illustrated creation of Rebecca Van Ornam, the muralist chosen to undertake the project of creating a mural on the south wall of the Murdock Museum. The entire wall will be painted. Elmwood Murdock FBLA raised funds to get the project started, and a Cass County Tourism Capital Improvement Grant completed the fundraising goal. The Murdock Museum saw the value in the project and agreed to it. Lucas Stock found Rebecca Van Ornam, Community Organizer, Muralist, and Illustrator, from Omaha and quickly realized she was the perfect artist to bring the history of Murdock to the wall along with the vision for the future.
Rebecca has been a muralist most of her life thanks to her father, Richard Harrison. He has been painting murals, designing scenery, and teaching high school and college students how to design and paint since 1989. His company, A Midsummer’s Mural, is responsible for murals all over Omaha. Rebecca grew up helping her dad and naturally transitioned into a career as a muralist. Rebecca has painted murals not just in Omaha but also California. This is not the first project where she is the lead artist but it is the first all-woman artistic team. Her assistant, Pam Conyers-Hinson, is also an accomplished artist in Omaha. Currently Pam is teaching bronze casting classes at Joslyn Art Museum.
Rebecca introduced the project to the Elmwood-Murdock High School art classes before the end of the school year and recruited help from the kids in gathering ideas for the mural. Rebecca’s strategy was to involve as many community members as she could to come up with ideas for the mural. She needed them to tell her about the history of Murdock. She held many planning meetings at the museum, asked many questions, and listened to many stories. Someone told her about a 16mm film that was made in the 1940’s about Murdock. This really brought historical Murdock to life for her.
After the planning meetings Rebecca went to work designing the mural. She suggested a community potluck BBQ for the unveiling of her design. Saturday night about 30 people came to the Murdock Museum to enjoy the potluck and to watch the film which had been converted to video. Rebecca’s family, including her parents, Richard and Susan, and younger brother, Connor, husband, Joseph, and 9 month old daughter, Fern, helped her host the event at the Murdock Museum. After the meal Rebecca explained how she came to the design she created. Clearly Murdock was rich with history and generations of families that made Murdock their home. Rebecca decided that the best way to illustrate the heart of Murdock was with a quilt block. Little did she know about the FBLA Barn Quilt Project. Once she found out that the Elmwood Murdock area was already populated with giant quilt blocks, she knew she had chosen the right theme.
Along with help from her husband and brother, Rebecca presented her design to the group. The design is mostly a rough pencil drawing at this point so she walked through each section of it; and as she did, people were nodding and whispering and generally enjoying her presentation. Besides wondering what kind of paint will be used…special mural paint with a UV protectant sealer added at the end…the audience seemed to approve her design. Rebecca clearly had grasped the heartbeat of the community and worked very hard to translate that into her design.
Rebecca and Pam plan to get started on Monday, June 1, with the goal of completing in time for the annual Murdock 4th of July celebration. They encourage town members to stop by and pick up a paintbrush. They will show you what to do; just stop by when you see them working. Saturday, June 6, is a day they really encourage people to stop. The mural will be in the beginning stages, and it will be a great time to get involved.
Some of the families that came and enjoyed the dinner.
Good food and good company.
Just had to show you what you missed. If you want the recipe for the Orange Cool Whip Cookies....you know how to get in touch with me.
Rebecca thanked everyone for coming and for all their help.
Rebecca's father, Richard, and her baby girl, Fern.
Rebecca explains her thought process that brought her to the quilt block idea.
She explained what each area was about. Only part of it was in color...the design actually stretches across both poster boards.
Up close shot of the quilt block.
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Project BRIDGE
In light of Murdock’s upcoming 125th birthday, Elmwood-Murdock Future Business Leaders of America members created a special gift for the Murdock Historical Society that they call Project BRIDGE, (Building Resources in the Development of Generational Education). Members developed a website to honor past residents, veterans, and the historical significance of Murdock’s buildings, particularly Main Street.
Chapter members spent many hours researching Murdock’s history at the local museum and selected items to include on the site. They keyed over 60 biographies, originally written by historian Maxine Cline, of past residents buried at Emmanuel Cemetery, took pictures of headstones, and created quick response signs to be posted at the cemetery. The QR codes enable people with smart phones to go directly to the appropriate location on the website. Another segment of the website includes 25 historical stories and videotaped interviews with veterans who served in World War II and the Korean War. Finally, Main Street was researched, and pages were made that share the history and show pictures of buildings past to present. Again, QR Codes were created.
A virtual Main Street was set up in the school’s commons area at the February 12 basketball game. At that time, students and patrons were given the opportunity to preview the website and its content. The codes were donated to the Murdock Historical Society who will place them on buildings prior to Murdock’s 125th birthday celebration on July 4. The website, which is located at projectbridgemurdock.jimdo.com, honors Murdock’s 125th birthday by showcasing 125 residents, veterans, stories, and landmarks.
FBLA members extend a special thanks to Dale Vanderford and Lucas Stock, Murdock Historical Society board members for their help with the project. By speaking at chapter meetings, providing resources, and making the museum available for research, each has contributed several hours to help educate members about the history of the community
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This is page one of the Elmwood Murdock Merchants Association Spring Newsletter.
Click here to see the rest of the newsletter!
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CALL TO PHOTOGRAPHERS: June 1, 2015 Hildegard Center for the Arts, in partnership with the Nebraska Tourism Commission and the Nebraska State Historical Society is launching a statewide “Call to Photographers”, beginning June 1, 2015 through January 4, 2016. The Call will coincide with Nebraska’s sesquicentennial in 2017.
Contact Person – Kim Einspahr | Hildegard Center for the Arts (402) 488-0678
Hildegard Center for the Arts, in partnership with the Nebraska Tourism Commission and the Nebraska State Historical Society, is sponsoring a statewide “Call to Photographers” for the great state of Nebraska. The Call begins June 1, 2015 through January 4, 2016 and is titled “Bridges: Sharing our Past to Enrich the Future”. It is calling photographers throughout Nebraska to highlight historic places and often over-looked historical treasures in all of the State’s 93 counties ~ historical sites either found on the National Register of Historic Places OR places of community/personal significance to the photographer. i.e. historic properties, recognized historical landmarks, cultural activities/events with a basis in local history and in context with a historic place, or historic buildings that are representative or unique. From Adams to Antelope, Banner to Butler, Garden to Gage, Scottsbluff to Sheridan, and Dundy to Douglas, this juried exhibition is serving as a bridge to connect Nebraskans with their culture and heritage.
Photographs selected from this juried exhibition: • Will be featured in a statewide traveling photography exhibit that coincides with Nebraska’s sesquicentennial in 2017
• May appear in Nebraska Tourism travel guides, posters and calendars to promote this project and the State of Nebraska
• Will be showcased in a digital catalogue
• All submitted photos will be featured virtually on partnering websites. (Hildegard Center for the Arts, Nebraska Tourism Commission, Nebraska State Historical Society)
Photographs can be submitted online at the Hildegard Center for the Arts website, www.hildegardcenter.org, beginning June 1, 2015 through January 4, 2016.
Entrants must be at least 15 years of age and need NOT be residents of Nebraska.
Photographers may enter up to 5 images per submission for a non-refundable fee of $15. Multiple submissions are allowed.
For a complete list of entry rules and judging criteria, go to www.hildegardcenter.org.
Questions: Contact Project Chair, Cathy Harrington | 402.730.6668
ABOUT “BRIDGES” The 2015 Call to Photographers, “Bridges: Sharing Our Past to Enrich the Future”, is part of a larger themed- initiative at Hildegard Center for the Arts called “Bridges”. Over the next three-years, (2015-2017) the organization will use “Bridges” as its leading inspiration for much of its programming and outreach. Projects will include: • ON-LINE ART LESSONS AND OTHER RESOURCES for those facing challenges of dementia, Alzheimer's, Autism, PTSD, emotional, behavior and physical challenges ~ from children to senior citizens. • SUMMER ART ENRICHMENT FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN • PONCA CHIEF STANDING BEAR ~ Sharing his wisdom and timely relevance with a new generation
• A NEW SPIRITUAL ART TOUR FOR LINCOLN
ABOUT HILDEGARD CENTER FOR THE ARTS Hildegard Center for the Arts is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit arts organization established in 2009. Its mission is to unite people of all beliefs, cultures and traditions to inspire humanity through the Arts. Without “walls” or paid staff, Hildegard has managed to make a significant impact on Lincoln and the arts community by operating as a “virtual” art center. From co-sponsoring nationally known speakers and spearheading an inaugural “Spiritual Art Tour”, to publishing books and providing countless meaningful opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, Hildegard seems to be everywhere at once. In 2014, the organization was recognized for its project “Heroes Among Us” and awarded the Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Event. The ultimate vision for Hildegard Center for the Arts is to be THE Center that bridges cultures and communities through the Arts. It will be a place of creative inspiration where everyone is invited to share in the change we wish for our world.
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ELMWOOD-MURDOCK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
KITCHEN ASSISTANT - MURDOCK SCHOOL SITE
2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR
The Elmwood-Murdock Public School has a vacancy for a Kitchen Assistant at the Murdock School site. Perspective employees should have knowledge of quantity food preparation, understanding of basic nutrition, basic math skills and a willingness to learn ordering system and menu planning. Applicants must be physically able to lift 40 pounds. Start date for this position is on or about August 13, 2015 and employee will work days school is in session for students. Interested applicants should contact Dan Novak, Superintendent, at 402-867-2341 or via e-mail at
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VIP* Job Opening at the EM Schools
(*Very Important Person)
Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools are in need for substitutes for the para-professionals in our district (Prek-12th grade). A para professional provide instructional support and assistance within the classroom setting. Some services could be provided 1:1 or with a small group. Para Substitutes are paid on an hourly wage of $7.25. The school follows the federal minimum wage rate for this school year.
For application details, please contact Tycha Stander (
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Community Sustaining Sponsors 2015
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