TheNormaRossWalterScholarshipfundwasestablishedthroughagenerousbequestfromNormaRossWalter.Alife-longfanofCather’sworkandfrequentvisitortoRedCloud,Walterwasafirmbelieverineducationforyoungwomen. TheAntonetteWillaTurnerScholarship fund was createdin 2012 by Antonette WillaSkupa Turner, granddaughterof Anna Sadilek Pavelka. ThescholarshiphonorsAnnaSadilekPavelka, the inspiration andprototypeforAntoniaShimerdaCuzak, the major character inCather’snovelMy Ántonia. The scholarship winnersandtheWillaCatherFoundationowe a debt of gratitude toNorma Ross Walter andAntonette Turner. TheFoundation’sscholarshipefforts,directed by long-time Boardof Governors member VirgilAlbertini,areafundamentalpartofoureducationalmission.
Volume 4, Issue 2Page 2 Volume 4, Issue 2News from Catherland
consistedofmorethantwofulldaysofscholarlypresentationsandexcellentfood,aswellaslearningandfellowship. A frequent traveler to Europe, Cather first visited Romein 1908. In a 1908 letter to her brother, Roscoe, she said, “Igot my guide book for Rome the other day. Seems queer tobereallyonthewaytoRome;forofcourseRomehasalwaysexistedforone,itwasacentralfactinone’slifeinRedCloudand was always the Capital of one’s imagination. Rome,London,andPariswereseriousmatterswhenIwenttotheSouthwardschool—theywerethethreeprincipalcitiesinNebraska,sotospeak.” The symposium at Centro Studi Americani exploredWillaCather’spresenceinEurope,bothasatravelerandwriterwhoseworkshavebeenpublishedinEuropeandtranslatedintomanyEuropeanlanguages.Additionally,scholarsexaminedtheinfluenceofEuropeandEuropeancultureonCather’sworks,the representations of Europe in her fiction, and connectionsbetween Cather and European artists and writers. The eventwasmadepossiblewiththegeneroussupportofJohnandSarahMurphy,fromtheHarrietShadeggEstate,andwithadditionalsupport from the Willa Cather Foundation and University ofNebraska-Lincoln.
Over forty Cather scholars and enthusiasts traveled toRome, Italy, June 12-14, for a Cather Symposium themed“Cather in Europe/Europe and Cather.” Scholars representingtenstatesandnineforeigncountries,includingPortugal,Italy,theNetherlands,Romania,Ireland,Canada,Taiwan,France,andGermany,presentedpapersattheevent.OrganizedbytheWillaCatherFoundationandSymposiumDirectorsCristinaGiorcelli(ThirdUniversityofRome),AndrewJewell(UniversityofNe-braska-Lincoln),MarkMadigan (NazarethCollege), and JohnJ. Murphy (Emeritus, Brigham Young University), the event
Scholars Attend Symposium in Rome, Italy The Willa Cather Foundation Board of GovernorsinvitesyoutojoinusatthehistoricRedCloudOperaHousefor“SomethingthatEndured,”aneveningofartandmusicinspiredbyCather’slifeandwork. FeaturingselectreadingsfromWillaCather’s lettersandmusicbypianistandartist,ScottKirby,theeventwilltakeplaceonSaturday,August23.Cocktails andhorsd’oeuvreswillbeservedat5:00pmintheFoundation’sartgallery,followedbyaformaldinnerandperformanceat6:30pm.
The letters of WillaCather provide an intimateglimpse into the life andthoughtsofoneofAmerica’sgreatest authors. Our selectreadings will come fromletters written by a young,precocious Willa dreadingthe start of another schoolyear, as a young womanstarting her career inPittsburgh, and finally, asan author gaining notorietyand fame with each bookpublished.Throughherownwords, listeners witness
Join Us on August 23 in Red CloudCather’striumphs,herstruggles,andthemostimportantper-sonalrelationshipsofherlife. Themusicalportionoftheeveningwillconsistoforiginalcompositions by Scott Kirby supplemented by the ragtimemusic of JohnWilliam Boone and Scott Joplin.A native ofOhio, Scott Kirby is considered one of the best interpret-ers of ragtime music in the nation. Performing across theUnited States, Scott brings his musical talents to the RedCloudOperaHousestageasafellowfanofWillaCather.Inaddition to recording the complete rags of Scott Joplin,he has composed and recorded hundreds of originalscores inspired by the Great Plains. Kirby is also anaccomplished artist and his work will be on display inconjunctionwith theevent.Currently,he resides inBoulder,Colorado,anddivideshistimebetweencomposing,painting,performingandteaching. Ticketsare$65/personor$35/personforage35andunder.Thenamesofpatrons($150/ticket)willbeprintedintheeveningprogram,andpatronticketsincludeaoneyearmembershiptotheWilla Cather Foundation. A portion of the ticket price istax-deductible. Purchase tickets by contacting Kara Faber [email protected] or at 402-746-2653 byAugust 18th.Proceeds from this event are critical to supporting theFoundation’svaluableeducationalandartsprograms.Fragments of Desire: Cather and the Arts
TocelebratethepublicationcentenaryofThe Song of the Lark in 2015, we will host our annual Spring Conference inconjunction with the 15th International Cather Seminar, June5-12,2015inLincolnandRedCloud,Nebraska.Theeventwillfeaturescholarlypanels,educationalprograms,exhibitions,aswellasartsprogramsrelatingtothenovel. The Willa Cather Foundation and the Cather Projectinvitepaperproposalsforthescholarlysymposiumrelatingtothetheme:“CatherandtheArts.”The2015conferencewillfocusonCather’sengagementwith,loveof,investmentin,andrep-resentationofartformsbeyondthefictiontowhichshededicatedherself.WeareinterestedinexploringCather’sfascinationswithperformance(music,andespeciallyopera),andthevisualarts.Topicsforconsiderationmightinclude:voiceandperformance;Europeanmusic/Americansetting;classicaland folk formsofmusic;thefemaleperformer;Catherandimage-making;Catherand French art; photography; collecting and exhibiting; craft
objectandtheartobject,“high”artand“low”art.Paperswithdiversecriticalandtheoreticalperspectivesareencouraged. If you would like to submit a proposal, please email anabstract of 500 words, a cover letter, and brief résumé byFebruary15,[email protected]. The Song of the Lark is Cather’s third novel, titledafterapaintingbyJulesBretonhoused in theArt InstituteofChicago. Set in the Moonstone, a fictional town inspired byRedCloud,The Song of the Lark istheself-portraitofanartistin themaking.Thestoryrevolvesaroundanambitiousyoungheroine, Thea Kronborg, who leaves her hometown for thecity to fulfill her dream of becoming a musician. The novelcaptures Thea’s independence, her ambition, and thepersonal costs of her success. Nearly 100 years afterThe Song of the Lark’s publication, budding artists andperformerscontinuetoidentifywithTheaandfindinspirationinherstory.
volunteer service is deemed to be outstanding, and as a per-petual tribute to all those whose selfless service is theheart of the Cather Foundation. Each year, one volunteer isrecognizedforoutstandingservice. This year’s recipient, the late Barbara Sprague, helpedthe Foundation in countless ways. She was a loyal supporter,reliable volunteer and valued friend for many years. Sheplayedthepumporganforover50yearsofSpringConferenceservicesatGraceEpiscopalChurchanddelightedinservingasaccompanistforannualMissoulaChildren’sTheatreprogramsattheOperaHouse. Willa Cather’s ties to Red Cloud were a great source of
pride for Barb, and she frequently encouraged friends,family, colleagues, and strangers to visit Red Cloudand tour the Cather historic sites. While no rewardcould possibly have recognized what she meant to theFoundationovertheyears,itseemedonlyfittingtorememberandhonorherservicewiththeMiriamMountfordVolunteeroftheYearaward. The award presentation took place at a programproceedingIllusionTheater’sstageproductionofMy Ántonia onJune7.GraciouslyacceptingtheawardonBarb’sbehalfwerethreeofherchildren,PatrickSprague,KathleenMitchell,andAnn Sprague. Without doubt, the Cather Foundation willforeverrememberthetirelessserviceofBarbaraSprague.
On June 6, we had the pleasure of awarding the WalterandTurnerscholarships.TherecipientswereGraceIaquintaofLincoln East High School; Abigail Feden of Papillion-LaVistaHighSchool;MaryTheresaWahlmeierofSt.CeciliaHighSchool;andIonaNewmanofCentralHighSchool. The scholarship award-presentations took place as partof the 59th annual Willa Cather Spring Conference. Ourscholarshiprecipients,whograduatedfromtheirrespectivehighschoolsinMay,sharedtheiroriginalessaysonCather,whichisapartof theScholarship’sextensiveapplicationprocess.Thiseventisatime-honoredtraditionandalwaysappreciatedbytheConferenceattendees. Since 1987, the Willa Cather Foundation has awardedoverfortyscholarshipstotalingmorethan$152,000throughtheNormaRossWalterandAntonetteWillaSkupaTurnerscholar-shipprograms.
Walter and Turner Scholarships Awarded
Sprague (cont.)
Fromlefttoright:ExecutiveDirectorAshleyOlson,MaryTheresaWahlmeier,GraceIaquinta,AbigailFeden,IonaNewman,andBoardofGovernorsmemberVirgilAlbertini.
“Town in the Round II” — Scott Kirby
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014Save the Date
THE WILLA CATHER FOUNDATION INVITES YOU TO
AntonetteTurner(right)withscholarshipwinnerAbigailFeden.
CO
MIN
G U
P: Missoula Children’s Theatre Treasure IslandFriday, August 1st, 7:00 PM
or Saturday, August 2nd, 4:00 PM $12.00 Adult $7.00 Student $5.00 Child
Wes Hird Trio featuring Vickie NielsonThursday, September 18th, 7:00 PM
General Admission $15.00 / Day of Show $18.00
Beatrice Community PlayersCompletely Hollywood
Saturday, October 11th, 7:30 PM General Admission $15.00 / Day of Show $18.00
Mary Carrick Caberet“Songs from Broadway and Beyond” Saturday, November 8th, 7:00 PM
General Admission $12.00 / Day of Show $15.00
Joseph Hall’s Elvis Rock ‘N Remember TributeSaturday, December 6th, 7:00 PM
General Admission $20.00 / Day of Show $25.00
Arts programming presented with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
mostinsightfuloriginalworksandpapers.” In addition to Burns, former First Lady Laura Bush hasnoted, “WillaCather’s literaturegivesvoice to thevalues thatdefineAmerica’s frontier heritage. By reading her words andpromotinghercontributions towesternculture,wecommemo-ratethepioneeringspiritthatdistinguishesusanation.” Giftstothecampaignmaybepaidovera5-yearperiodandnaming and recognition opportunities exist at various givinglevels. Donors can send contributions to the Willa CatherFoundation, 413 North Webster Street, Red Cloud, NE 68970or giveonline atwww.WillaCather.org.Formore information,contactAshley Olson, Executive Director, at 402-746-2653 [email protected].
On June 23, we were pleased to announce we have raised$5.79 million in gifts and pledges to establish the NationalWilla Cather Center at Red Cloud, fulfilling a challenge grantdeadlinefromthePeterKiewitFoundationofOmaha,Nebraska,aswellasmeetingagrantrequirementoftheRobertB.DaughertyFoundation. The project also received a $300,000 CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantintheTourismDevelopmentCategorythrough the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.AdditionalsupportcomesfromtheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment. TheNationalWillaCatherCenterwillbelocatedwithintherestored “Moon Block” building in the center of Red Cloud’sMain Street Historic District. The Moon Block was developedand built in 1886, just three years after Willa Cather and herfamily moved to the area. The building would become a RedCloudlandmarkandsymbolofthetown’spromise.Itwashometo numerous offices and retail businesses, and Cather wouldeventuallyweaveitintohernovelsandshortstories.Soonitwillenjoyabrightnew lifeas theNationalWillaCatherCenter—aworld-classvenuethatwillcelebrateCather’slifeandlegacy. While thebuilding’s focuswillbeamuseum,archive, andcollection space for public visitation, the restoration will alsoprovide a greatly enhanced base of operations for the WillaCather Foundation through an expanded bookstore, art gallery,andprofessionalbackstagefacilitiesfortheadjacentRedCloudOperaHouse.Otherelementsof theproject includemain-streetretailspacesandloftapartmentsforvisitors. Theentireprojectisestimatedtocost$6.7million,andtheFoundationisinthefinalstagesofafundraisingcampaigntoraisethe balance needed.The last challenge is to raise $903,000 bySpring2015inordertoenterthefinalconstructionphasewithallnecessaryprojectfundspledged. Documentary filmmaker and lifelong Willa Catherenthusiast Ken Burns is the honorary national chair for theCenter’s public fundraising effort. According to Burns, whoannounced the creation of the Center in an online video, “TheCenter will have something for everyone. As an archive andmuseum, itwill become thepermanenthome to someofWillaCather’s most personal treasures, items made famous in herstories, and artwork inspired by her vision of the prairie. Forscholars, it will be a chance to explore, firsthand, some of her
A T H E R L A NC DN E W S F R O M
Volume 4, Issue 2 August 2014
National Willa Cather Center Meets Challenges, Enters Final Campaign Stage
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SE Sprague GivenMiriam Mountford Volunteer Award
Oneofour traditions atSpringConferenceistopresentthe Miriam Mountford awardrecognizing our Volunteer oftheYear.Volunteersarevitaltothesuccessof theWillaCath-er Foundation. The family ofMiriamMountfordrecognizedtheimportanceofthevolunteercorps when they establishedthe Miriam MountfordVolun-teerAward.MountfordwastheFoundation’s first volunteer,alongsideitsfounders;thefirstpresident after founderMildred Bennett; and sheassistedBennettindevisingthefirstguidedtoursoftheCatherhistoricsites. The Miriam MountfordAward was established in hermemory to recognize individuals whose (continued Page 2)
4 1 3 N O RT H W E B S T E R S T.R E D C LO U D, N E 6 8 9 7 0
Board Officers
President: Thomas Reese Gallagher, New York, NY
Vice President:Lynette Krieger, Hastings, NE
Secretary:Glenda J. Pierce, Lincoln, NE
Treasurer:David Porter, Saratoga Springs, NY
Past President:Susan Maher, Duluth, MN
Board of GovernorsVirgil Albertini, Fairway, KS
Marion A. Arneson, Wayne, NEMark W. Bostock, Windsor, COMax Despain, Monument, CO
Richard C. Harris, Sea Cliff, NYJill Hornady, Grand Island, NE
Andrew Jewell, Lincoln, NECharles Johanningsmeier, Omaha, NE
Ruth H. Keene, Omaha, NEFritz Mountford, Hastings, NEJohn J. Murphy, Santa Fe, NM
Julie Olin-Ammentorp, Manlius, NYCharles A. Peek, Kearney, NE
Guy Reynolds, Lincoln, NEAnn Romines, Alexandria, VANancy Sherwood, Omaha, NE
Steve Shively, Logan, UTKate Sommer, Omaha, NE
James P. Southwick, Heber City, UTC. Kay Stahly, Kearney, NE
Robert Thacker, Canton, NYLu Williams, Red Cloud, NE
John A (Jay) Yost, New York, NY
Advisory BoardBruce P. Baker II, Omaha, NE
Laurie Smith Camp, Omaha, NEJames L. Fitzgibbon, Red Cloud, NE David B. Garwood, Red Cloud, NE
Joel Geyer, Lincoln, NEJane Renner Hood, Lincoln, NE
Ron Hull, Lincoln, NE Betty Kort, Hastings, NE
Mellanee Kvasnicka, LaVista, NELucia Woods Lindley, New York, NY
Dale McDole, Overland Park, KSGary L. Meyer, Red Cloud, NENancy S. Picchi, New York, NYRhonda Seacrest, Lincoln, NE
John N. Swift, Whittier, CAGary W. Thompson, Lincoln, NE
Joseph R. Urgo, Asheville, NC
StaffAshley Olson, Executive DirectorTracy Tucker, Education Director
Kara Faber, Program & Development CoordinatorAna Armstrong, Administrative AssistantCheryl Wilson, Buildings & Sites Curator
Karin Prellwitz, MaintenanceKevin Daehling, Prairie Curator
Priscilla Hollingshead, Tour GuideAngela Duca, Tour GuideBarb Kudrna, Tour Guide
Carol Duncan, Tour GuideSylvia Andersen, Tour GuideKay Blackstone, Tour Guide
Patsy Ord, Tour Guide
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