Hastings College welcomes high school artists for Open Space immersion experience

(Hastings, Nebraska) – Open Space for the Visual Arts kicks off June 14, bringing 23 talented high school art students from across the region to Hastings College for a week-long, hands-on immersion experience. 

Open Space, which runs through the morning of Saturday, June 20 in the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center (JDAC), is designed for future artists who have completed their junior or sophomore year of high school. It gives students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in multiple studios and expand their skills as young creators.

During the week, students will rotate through glassblowing, ceramics, painting, sculpture and printmaking studios, all led by Hastings College faculty and guest artists. After gaining hands-on experience with faculty, students will have open studio time to create their own original pieces. Their work will be featured in an exhibition and reception that begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, in the JDAC. 

The reception is free and open to the public and allows students to share their work and accomplishments from the week with family and community members who attend.

This year, Hastings College art faculty selected 23 students to attend Open Space. Those who are rising seniors may be considered for the Jackson Scholars Program, which provides an all expenses paid opportunity to attend Hastings College as an art major. Other students will receive an art talent scholarship to Hastings College.

Students selected for the 2026 Open Space include:

Lily Billesbach, Beatrice, Nebraska
Olivia Bright, Wilber, Nebraska
Arianna Cruz, South Sioux City, Nebraska
Jasper DeLeon, Hastings, Nebraska
Danica Dossett, Holdrege, Nebraska
Lili Serrano Félix, Omaha, Nebraska
Tiffany Gonzalez-Gamez, Lawrence, Nebraska
Blake Hall, Hastings, Nebraska
Shiloh Hall, Hastings, Nebraska
Blake Holliday, Grand Island, Nebraska
Lillian Johndreau, Chadron, Nebraska
Veselka Keen, Doniphan, Nebraska
Brooke Kisling, Kearney, NNebraska
Eva Macken, Elkhorn, Nebraska
Addison Malecki, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Maddison Martin, Kearney, Nebraska
Logan Mollo, Greenwood, Nebraska
Destiny Sayas, Hastings, Nebraska
Marissa Schwab, Doniphan, Nebraska
Karina Smydra, St. Paul, Nebraska
Conner Sohl, Kearney, Nebraska
Taylor TenEyck, Omaha, Nebraska
Brady Willicott, Blue Hill, Nebraska