The Gardens at Yanney Park, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A piece of art at Yanney Heritage Park is about to get a special addition.
Every spring, the Meadowlark Superhero sculpture that resides in the Yanney Heritage Park Botanical Gardens will be getting a “crane mask” to celebrate the arrival of the sandhill crane migration. The sculpture is located west of the Gail & Michael Yanney Pavillion in the northwest corner of the park.
The public is invited to come see the installation of the “mask” at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, and meet the sculpture artist, Sheila Berger at the event, which will feature a short presentation.
About The Artwork
Meadowlark Superhero, which was installed in 2024, interprets Nebraska’s state bird, the meadowlark, uniquely. At almost 8-feet tall and with mirrored surfaces, the sculpture encourages viewers to engage with nature and notice our planet’s tiny creatures. At the same time, Berger’s sculpture welcomes visitors to the park and the hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes that travel through this region every year.
About The Artist
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Berger studied at New York University, the Art Students League, and the New York Academy of the Arts. Her work has been exhibited in venues such as the Rubin Museum in New York, the Bemis Center in Omaha, the American Consulate in Istanbul, and the U.S. Embassy in Laos. A longtime resident of the Chelsea Hotel in New York, she previously lived in Paris and Italy and now splits her time between Manhattan and Argentina.
About the Gardens
A significant component of The Gardens at Yanney Park is the current and planned large-scale sculptures by nationally and internationally recognized artists of the highest caliber, whose artworks have been effectively placed among the plantings and pathways. Judiciously selected, these sculptural works provide all visitors with an aesthetic experience to complement the organic and olfactory ones offered by the flowers and trees.
The public/private partnership between the Yanney Heritage Park Foundation and the City of Kearney allows for these types of generous gifts to the community to be a reality, as well as making spectacular and public art accessible to all.
Having artwork displayed at Yanney Heritage Park provides an extra benefit to park visitors. All of the art and cultural events allow park-goers to experience art that may only be available in metropolitan cities or museums. Intentionally including such famous artists’ work was done to enhance the experience of anyone who walks through the beautiful gardens. Art pieces provide an enhanced in-person experience for viewers in a public setting – free and available to all 24/7.
Yanney Heritage Park is a destination for many people in the Kearney community, as well as visitors from across the state. While Kearney has amazing parks, developing The Gardens at Yanney Park has expanded the educational opportunities in the community for people of all ages.
The Yanney Heritage Park Foundation oversees the financial operations of Yanney Heritage Park.
