Welcome to the Western & Wildlife Art Show 501(c)(3) non-profit
About Us
FORT ROBINSON CENTINNIAL INC
Western & Wildlife Art Show ("Fort Robinson Centennial, Inc.”, 1972)
Instated with the IRS on April 11, 2016
IRS EIN and STATE OF NE
Originally incorporated in May 1972, a Public Charity Board
Articles of Incorporation list the initial Board of Directors from North Platte to Lincoln NE and Pine Ridge SD
- Edwin C Nelson
- Nellie S Yost
- William G Lindeken
- Leslie A Stull
- R R Wellington
- Stanley A Matzke Jr
- Virginia Coffee
- Lorenzo E Norgard
- Roy D Landis
- Gene Ramsey
- Vance E Nelson
- Dick Wilson
- Charlie Red Cloud
Daniel Bowen, chairman and grant writer
Daniel has lived in Western Nebraska for thirty years, and firmly believes it to be one the most striking and beautiful parts of America.
Daniel also believes in the potential and power of art, faith and community. In addition to his work with the Western Wildlife Art Show, he contributes to the community through organizations like Chadron Open Art, the United Methodist Church Men's Group in Chadron, and the Northwest Nebraska Planning Committee.
The Board of Directors is delighted to announce Daniel as Chairman, a role to which he will bring considerable passion, expertise and commitment.
Marcy Thompson, Co-Chairman/treasurer/Financial Officer
Marcy Thompson is a former head librarian at Crawford Public Library. She was born in Crawford and grew up in Kearney, with many summer visits to grandparents in Crawford, where she now resides.
A graduate of Iowa Western Community College, Marcy worked at Hewlett Packard and for the City of Wahoo. She was a family caregiver for many years.
Marcy and husband Ronnie raised two daughters, a foster son and a foster daughter. She is the proud grandmother of 12.
Marcy has been on the Board of Directors since 2015 as the Marketing chair and Financial Officer, and has served as Co-Chair since 2016. Marcy enjoys the fellowship of the Art Show family, and loves to see the new work from returning artists each year as well as eagerly welcoming new artists every summer.
Board Members
Richard Ruff, VENUE Management/volunteer coordinator/awards chairman
Retired after 20 years as a MSgt in the Air Force, Richard is an enthusiastic, dedicated volunteer for the Western Wildlife Art Show. If it needs doing, Richard can and will do it! He grew up in Crawford, retired to Chadron with his wife Gwen, and has decided to give his time to his community.
Richard brings expertise in computer systems, accounting and general organization. When not at the Art Show, you can find Richard promoting Northwest Nebraska Tourism, lending his time and talents to the Dawes County Historical Museum, and to historic Fort Robinson State Park.
Annie Sellman, communications/Social media & Marketing
Annie is a fourth generation Dawes County resident. Her training is in radio and television, but the majority of her working life was spent teaching.
Her mother, Ellen Eaton Armstrong, an oil painter, taught Annie a love of color and texture -- serving on the WWAS board is an homage to her mom, and a creative outlet for Annie.
She is an aspiring novelist who enjoys gardening, photography, travel, living on the ranch, and all things grandchildren.
Annie raised and homeschooled five sons, is the grandmother of eight, and is married to her childhood sweetheart, Richard.
Martina Lemmon, Secretary
The Board is delighted to welcome local Crawford artist Martina Lemmon to the Board!
Trained as a studio artist, she will bring her expertise curating shows and judging art, as well as her experience as an exhibitor in shows and competitions.
Married to Fort Robinson Head Superintendent Robert Lemmon, Martina works at the Ft. Rob History Center. She enjoys creating art, riding horses, and any historic topic related to the Fort.
In addition to her many achievements, in Spring 2025 Martina will add the title Mama to the list.
Members at Large
RONNIE THOMPSON
RONNIE THOMPSON
RONNIE THOMPSON
Support Staff and Maintenance
gwenda Ruff
RONNIE THOMPSON
RONNIE THOMPSON
Chairman Support and Artists Gifts
RSVP
Pine ridge Job Corps
Pine ridge Job Corps
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides energetic Senior Citizens who volunteer during the Show as greeters and hosts, assistants to the artists as needed, and promoters of the show within the community.
Pine ridge Job Corps
Pine ridge Job Corps
Pine ridge Job Corps
Youth from the Job Corps are instrumental in preparing the Veterinary Hospital building for the Show--cleaning, hauling tables and chairs, hanging banners and directional signs, and so much more. Job Corps volunteers also assist the artists by carrying their art into the building and back out when the show is over. They provide much needed muscle and cheerful service.