50 Nebraskaland • November 2025
MIXED BAG
Impact was created in 1985
to provide Nebraska artists
opportunities to collaborate
and share their work through
exhibitions. Members commit to
fi ve exhibition themes per year.
In 2025, exhibits included Impact
Willa Cather, Spirit of Robert Henri,
Waters of Life, Color of Music-
Rhythm of Art, and Pollinators.
Nebraska Game and Parks
graphic designer Donna
Schimonitz has been an Impact
member for 20 years. She describes
her work as mostly nature-based
and enjoys painting wildlife and
scenic landscapes. Unsurprisingly,
the Waters of Life and Pollinators
exhibits have been most
meaningful to her.
"I try to do something a little
diff erent," Schimonitz said. "[For]
the Waters of Life [exhibit], I did
the tiger salamander because I
fi gured no one else would be doing
that."
For the Pollinators exhibit,
artists aimed to highlight the
importance of pollinators and the
roles they play in our ecosystems
and everyday lives. Schimonitz
chose to paint a calligrapher fl y on
purple aster fl owers. This hoverfl y
is known for its distinctive black
markings and is an important
pollinator of native fl owers. Also,
its larvae are benefi cial predators,
helping to control plant pests such as aphids.
The group occasionally shows outside of Nebraska —
they've had exhibits in Wyoming, Florida, Kansas and
Washington, D.C. Impact is a professional community that
provides its members opportunities to improve their craft.
Member artists practice a variety of styles and media.
"It's a group of high-quality art producers that made me
push myself to be a better artist. I love the camaraderie
and solid group of friendly but very professional artists,"
Schimonitz said.
Membership is selective, with applicants being
"juried-in" by a third party, such as an outside artist or
museum director, who judges their portfolio. Membership
is a four-year commitment, with the expectation
of participation in all programs, exhibitions and
twice-a-year meetings.
The next Impact art exhibit will feature works inspired
by American writer Willa Cather, known for her novels
about the Great Plains. See the exhibit Nov. 1-Dec. 1 at the
Valentine Public Library in Valentine and Dec. 4-28 at the
West Arts Center in Scottsbluff .
For more information, visit impactart-ne.org.
IMPACT NEBRASKA ARTISTS
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
Acrylic painting of a calligrapher fl y on purple aster fl owers.
BY DONNA SCHIMONITZ
