ABOUT RUSHVILLE
The city of Rushville was established in 1885 as a settlement called Rush Valley which was two miles north of its present location. Now, it lies south of Pine Ridge and just shy of the Sandhills to the south, where the vast diversity of grasses provided good grazing fields for cattle and fresh water available from Rush Creek. Rushville was known for its healthy climate, a claim that is supported by the fact that the first man buried in the graveyard died from a bullet, not illness. Two stores a mile apart from each other opened and a post office was established. Rushville succeeded as a supply point for the territory with the advantages of the courthouse, the railroad, and the nearby Lakota reservation. The area became home to the infamous Old Jules.
Rushville has weathered population growth and loss. During our time here, neighbors have graciously shared stories of their own family history or reasons that have brought them to the region. In the words of a local resident, “it is a town where roots run deep.” Many people have generously supported town development, preserving the heart of the geographically and culturally rich rural community. The town center boasts a range of recreation venues including the historic Modisett Ball Park, Sand Ridge Golf Course, Plains Theater, Pocket Park, Cowboy Trail West biking path, and Sheridan County Historical Museum. The Sandhills Institute is opening an arts and cultural center in the empty grocery store on Main Street. Upon completion, visitors and residents alike will be welcome to come together in this space.
OUR MISSION
The Sandhills Institute is a catalyst for the creation of civically-engaged integrated art in and around the agricultural community of Rushville, Nebraska. The Institute forges strong bonds between the community of local ranchers and farmers and leading artists from the region as well as from around the world for the purpose of developing experimental programs grounded in collaborative research and creative expression. The goal of these programs is to strengthen the economic, environmental, and cultural fabric of this unique area. It is our goal to integrate the regional diversity of this community and celebrate its historic and varied cultural heritage.
The Institute magnifies the impact of its work by sharing the results of its programs with other peer institutions, both agricultural and artistic throughout rural America. It is our hope that artistic culture in all forms can be a powerful force in bringing people together for the common good of our communities and society as a whole.
ABOUT THE SANDHILLS
The Sandhills are an ecoregion that stretches across 24,000 square miles of the mid-northwest plains of Nebraska. Covering nearly one third of the state, it is the largest sand dune formation in the United States. Because the area sits atop 1.3 million acres of wetlands — fed by the Ogallala aquifer — 95 percent of the dunes support grassland. It is estimated that the Sandhills maintains one-billion-acres of groundwater.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that 85 percent of the Sandhills are intact, largely due to the limited ability to support farming in the sandy terrain. The ecoregion supports approximately 720 species of plants, 314 species of animals, and at least 24 species of migratory birds. There is a diverse ecosystem of grasses that have long supported grazing herds of buffalo. Today the region is home to a strong ranching economy. Most ranchers are careful to prevent overgrazing in an effort to maintain the health ecosystem of diverse perennials and to minimize the development of blowouts.
THE ZIEGLER FAMILY
Mel and Lisa Ziegler strongly believe in family participation at the Sandhills Institute and continue to make it a family friendly environment. Their twin sons, Atticus and Phineas, have been a part of the program since its inception in 2014.
Lisa Ziegler is an accomplished author who writes primarily about architecture. Her most seminal book is a monograph about the modernist architect, Harwell Hamilton Harris. Her latest book is on the southern California architect, Harry Gesner, titled “Houses of the Sun Down Sea”. Lisa is a major component of the artists’ experience here at the ranch headquarters. She has taken on the roll of the main chef which is no easy task when coordinating dinners that include vegetarians, vegans and gluten free dinners all at the same time. Lately, we have been discussing the possibility of having writers in residence, a program that she would develop and direct.
Atticus Ziegler has participated as an intern for many years. He has taken on the roll of documentary photographer and many of the photos on this website are his. Currently, he is studying Civil Engineering at the Grainger School of Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Phineas Ziegler has also participated for many years. He has operated as a personal guide and assistant when and where needed for artists and guests. He is currently studying engineering focusing on computer science at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Mel Ziegler, is an artist, educator, and farmer. He is currently the Paul E. Shwab Chair of Fine Art at Vanderbilt University where he was hired to develop and foster the then newly formed art major fifteen years ago. Ziegler’s artistic career dates back to the 1970s, when he first established his life-long pattern of conceptual, socially-engaged work with his late partner and collaborator, Kate Ericson. (See America Starts Here, MIT press also melzieglerart.com) Ziegler’s practice has always examined the role of art in the public space, the socially-constructed dimensions of our natural environment, the value of manual labor, and the importance of collaboration between the artist and the broader community.
Founded in 2014 by Director Ziegler, the Sandhills Institute is, in many ways, the inevitable culmination of his lifetime of work and philosophy, giving institutional form to his values to create a durable platform for social and community engagement, now and in the future, between a wide variety of artists and the residents of Rushville, Nebraska.
The Ziegler family believe strongly in the importance of art and its impact on society as a whole.
QUOTES
"Thank you for letting me be part of this forest, of this family and for sharing the deep sense of friendship that includes the landscape, the community, our hearts and all the dreams we have!"
- Jorge Menna Barreto, Artist
"Thank you so much for the invite to be a part of this amazing Sandhills experience... The week has been inspiring, the people i've met have been fantastic. "
-Elaine Bradford, Artist
"Looking forward to seeing things grow! Wonderful premise, wonderful place, wonderful community, wonderful team!"
-Russell Bauer, Artist
"I can't even begin to explain how grateful I am to have spent 3 weeks with your family at the Sandhills Institute. I actually felt so at home...I miss everything about the ranch. It's such a magical place where magical things happen. I learned so much this month from your family, the artists, and all the Rushville community members. It was really a once in a lifetime experience all thanks to the two of you (Mel and Lisa). "
-Ashlin Dolan, Intern
"Seeing how deep roots in the land have impacted the foundation of a robust and resilient Rushville community has opened my eyes to what explorers would have called 'the Spirit of America'....Long live art, long live culture, long live family!"
-Joshua Forges, Intern
"Thank you so much for a wonderful month in the Sandhills. This has been a tremendous learning experience and a joy to be a part of. I am inspired by your care and commitment to shaping the artists experience and bringing their research and projects to life. I appreciate how much you have done for us, taking us in at your beautiful home and making our time as interns so special. I will treasure the memories of wonderful meals together, conversations about cinema and art history on the porch, and Nebraska, and Nebraska adventures"
-Marguerite Zabriskie, Intern
"It genuinely inspired me to create more socially-engaged art, and will definitely inform future decisions regarding the arts collective I am a part of. "
-Ted Maertens, Intern
"I am beyond thankful to have found a home in the Sandhills and with the Ziegler family. At the same time, my time spent with the artists in residence has had a profound impact on me as a young artist...I love this place and all of the extraordinary and brilliant people in it. I hope to come back again and again and help out in any way I can. "
-Lauren Ballejos, Program Coordinator
