The Plum Coulee Elevator Museum is proud to host an award-winning artist who has roots in the community.
The Grace Nickel Full Circle: Saidye Bronfman Award exhibit is a full circle moment for the artist.
“I sincerely appreciate having my achievement celebrated in this way by the community I grew up in,” Nickel says. “It feels right to see my work in the context of the rural environment I found so inspiring when growing up and continues to inform my work today.”
The exhibit provides a condensed survey of her work, spanning her entire career.
“It includes some of my earliest works, like the series of wall tiles inspired by the Blue Ribbon bird cards we collected in my childhood, and also my most recent works, which relate to my current research on historic Anabaptist ceramics called Haban ware.
“I especially enjoy the link between my Commemorative Cameo series and some of the pieces I see hanging in the museum, like the black Spetze Metze Mennonite women made to wear on special occasions, and also some of the quilt patterns.”
Also on display are pieces Nickel gave to her mother, Elma Nickel, over the years. They consist mostly of tile works that she displayed on her living room wall for many years.
“In this show I’ve recreated the exact arrangement we saw in her home. In Memoriam pays tribute to my mother, who we sadly lost in 2023. This installation acknowledges the support and influence she provided to me from a very early age, when both of my parents actively encouraged my love of art. And I know that it will be meaningful for my family members and relatives to see it, and other people in the community who knew her.”
Nickel hopes her work connects with visitors and communicates some of her main themes and reflections of life and existence.
“Art is a metaphorical language and perhaps some of the poetry will resonate with folks. In any case I hope that my exhibition will inspire people to look at the ceramic medium in a new way and enjoy the beauty of this ancient art form, and its vast and endless potential for artistic expression.”
A reception for the exhibit will take place at the Saidye Bronfman Park in Plum Coulee on Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. following the Plum Fest parade, in which Nickel is pleased to act as parade marshal.
The exhibit will be on display until Aug. 31.
