Calibraska Arts Initiative Brings Animation Pros to the State

NEBRASKA – The Hastings Public Library is partnering with the Calibraska Arts Initiative to offer virtual art programs for ages 5 and up. True to the ‘Cali-braska’ name, this initiative brings specialized arts offerings from the California industries to Nebraska communities where access is limited to technology, cultural or arts institutions, professional mentorship, and resources to the creative industries.

These FREE virtual Workshops with Nickelodeon Animation will begin on Tuesday June 9th and continue all summer long!  Among the teaching artists joining Calibraska this summer are Trevor Knapp Jones, a UNM animation faculty and Disney Animator; Bona Bones, KU Animation Faculty and animator with Cartoon Network, HBO, Hulu, and Amazon; Javier Barboza, an award-winning animator and UNM Animation Faculty; Jesse Bliss, a playwright, director, producer, poet, songwriter, and arts educator; and Tommy Sowards, a producer, writer, director, and actor based in Los Angeles. Also teaching is Calibraska Co-Founder Erica Larsen-Dockray who grew up North of Scottsbluff. After moving to Los Angeles to pursue her MFA at CalArts, she returned each summer to Nebraska to teach animation, media, and the arts to locals in 2013. Last year, Erica moved to Lincoln and in addition to lecturing at UNL, she is focusing on how Calibraska can better serve Nebraska. Larsen-Dockray says about the big move, “I’m so happy to be back in my home state to deepen connections and explore new collaborations with others doing such great work across the state! I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together and build more creative opportunities for Nebraskans.”

For more information on the classes, registration, to donate, or collaborate, visit www.calibraska.org or contact Calibraska at [email protected] or call (ne) 308.631.5704.