Dogs

The temporary lobby exhibit for August is a collection of miniature dog figurines accumulated by Olive Pridemore. They are now part of the Prairie Museum of Art & History collection.

Olive enjoyed many hobbies including collecting ceramic figurines, toothpick holders, and salt & pepper shakers.

Olive was born in Colby to Elmer W. Lewallen and Lois Hamill Lewallen. She was a 1931 graduate from Colby High School. She then entered Halstead Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1936. 

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Come in soon to visit these cute pups. As always, there is no admission to visit the lobby exhibit. 

Kitties

The July lobby exhibit is a collection of kitty figurines on loan from Ann Miner.

Here's Ann's story:
Laura Davis was a Colby resident who co-founded the recycling center here. I got to know her through that, and because her kids and mine played soccer together.
She loved cats, and had quite a collection of figurines as well as three live cats. When she succumbed to cancer in 2009, we temporarily adopted her three cats and her sons decoded to bequeath a selection of her cat figurines to us as well. I wish I knew the stories these kitties tell - where did each come from? Were they gifts or pieces Laura chose? Other than the blue ceramic cat I picked up for her in Mexico, these cat tales are unknown.

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The Trail of Painted Ponies

The lobby exhibit for May is a collection of "The Trail of the Painted Ponies" figurines on loan from Megan Roemer of Colby.  Most of the figurines were gifts, but she has also purchased a few of them.

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The Trail of Painted Ponies has stampeded into American Art History as one of the most successful public art projects of all time. The public art project invited artists to use their imaginations and transform life-size horse sculptures into original works of art.

Today, The Trail of Painted Ponies is celebrating over 15 years of horses in art and is crafting some of the most cherished collectible resin figurines in America. For more information visit www.trailofpaintedponies.com

Stuffed Animals and Plush Toys

These toy stuffed animals on exhibit in the lobby during April are part of the collection of Prairie Museum of Art and History.

This type of toy became popular in the early years of the 20th century and have remained popular. Different fads have caused specific toys to surge in popularity among adults and collectors. Stuffed toys take different forms but most resemble real animals, legendary creatures, cartoon characters, or inanimate objects.

They can be used as comfort objects, for display or collecting, or giving as gifts.

Stuffed toys are sold commercially or may be handcrafted. One of the most popular handcrafted stuffed animals was the sock monkeys which first appeared in the U.S. during the depression.

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