Wild Cranes in Art and History 

 Sandhill and Whooping cranes are ancient birds which have inspired artists for hundreds of years. Andy Peters is one of those artists and has created a number of paintings of these beautiful birds, which he’ll explore with color images and narration. This hour-long presentation will look at famous crane paintings by others going back 400 years as well as contemporary works. Cranes are symbols of good luck and longevity and their social interactions, postures, and sinuous beauty make them enchanting subjects for artistic compositions. The presentation opens with an examination of the crane painting Migration Reunion of Ancient Kin, which Peters created in 2020 for the Museum of Nebraska Art’s permanent collection. There are dozens of stunning images in this 45-minute journey. 

Learn about the Speaker: Andrew Peters

Growing up in Iowa, Andy Peters developed an early fascination with birds and became a Junior Naturalist at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. With that group, he first saw Sandhill Cranes near Odessa, Nebraska in 1965. Inspired by the works of Audubon, he drew and sketched birds from life. It became his career and he has created some 1600 paintings over fifty years. He has traveled widely on four continents exploring and painting in wild places. He won a duck stamp competition and two gold medals at the Prix de West Invitational Exhibition. His home Hazel Dell is surrounded by restored Bluestem prairie and native Burr Oak savanna in the Loess Hills of Council Bluffs, Iowa. His studio overlooks wetlands he created for wildlife diversity and natural beauty. School classes and artist groups visit to paint and learn. His favorite pastimes include filming wild birds, fly fishing, and hunting with his beloved bird dog Robin.