Nebraska artist reveals Seward-inspired art for state sesquicentennial

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A small part of an ambitious project was unveiled July 13 in Seward.

Todd Williams, an artist originally from Central City, is creating paintings for each of Nebraska’s 93 counties to help celebrate the state’s 150th anniversary in 2017. The Seward County painting was revealed at the Seward Memorial Library.

The Seward County painting will first appear in the collection at the Nebraska State Museum with the entire collection and travel the year of the state’s 150th anniversary. The permanent home for the painting will be at the Seward Memorial Library.

“It is most fitting that Seward and Seward County are represented in this collection for the Nebraska Sesquicentennial in 2017, as it is also the sesquicentennial for Seward and Seward County as well and we appreciate the foresight and generosity of the Frasers to make this painting a reality,” said Clark Kolterman, chair of the Seward Sesquicentennial Committee, in a news

release.

Representatives of the Fraser family addressed the approximately 30 people who attended the unveiling.

Virginia Fraser, T.J.’s widow, thanked those who contributed to his memorial fund to help purchase the painting. The Seward Library Foundation also provided money for the purchase.

“The Fraser family is most generous to offer their memorial money to sponsor this painting, as Seward County will be part of this outstanding collection of art truly representing Nebraska,” said Jeanne Wiemer, vice chair of the Seward Arts Council, in a news release. “We are grateful to the Seward Memorial Library Foundation, the Fraser family and Becky Baker for their leadership with this special art project and know the painting will be a lasting memorial for T.J. Fraser for many years to come.”

Fraser appreciated the beauty of the painting, as well.

“It’s important to have beautiful things surrounding us,” she said. “And this is a beautiful painting.”

She also thanked everyone for attending.

“T.J. would’ve loved this party,” she said with a smile.

“We’re happy to have this at the library,” Ted Fraser said. “Dad had been in all 93 counties and all 50 states, and he spent a lot of time here. This will enhance the beauty and surroundings of the periodical room and remind us of the dreams and efforts of the first settlers.”

Tom Fraser praised the volunteers who help make Seward the place it is.

“I’m thankful for all the volunteers and how they make this a special city in which to live,” he said.

Williams said he wanted to do a series in Nebraska after creating a 50-painting series from Venice and Prague in 2005 and another series from Italy in 2007.

“It seemed to make sense to go to each county,” he said.

He looked for places with historical significance, including landmarks that are still standing. He chose the Seward County courthouse for his subject here.

The courthouse, designed by George A. Berlinghof, features Classical Revival architecture and is built of limestone. It was built between 1905 and 1907 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lewis Moffitt, the founder of Seward, left money in his will to build the courthouse. Terms included location on the county square and a cost of at least $80,000.

Williams selected a postcard picture of the courthouse from the early 1920s as his subject. It includes both a car and horses.

In early 2012, he met with Michael Smith of the Nebraska State Historical Society and told him about his plan. His goal was to finish the Nebraska series by 2017, the year of the state’s 150th anniversary.

“It’s been exciting and a lot of hard work,” he said.

Williams earned his associate degree from Central Community College in Columbus and then attended the Kansas City Art Institute. He interned at Hallmark and later worked for the company and for Dayspring, an offshoot of Hallmark. While with Dayspring, he and his family relocated to northwest Arkansas. He resigned from Dayspring in 2002 to pursue fine art.

“I wake up every day and say, ‘Today I want to paint,’” he said.

A book of all the Nebraska paintings will be available in March 2017, Williams said. The complete series of more than 125 paintings will open on March 1, 2017, at the Nebraska State Museum. It will also hang at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island following its Lincoln stay and then be on display at Gallery 156 in Omaha. Williams expected the paintings to be distributed to the counties around September.

To see other paintings in the collection, visit www.ToddWilliamsFineArt.com or www.nebraska.org.