June 2026 • Nebraskaland 81
ART FOR CONSERVATION
Pieces such as Neal Anderson's 1982 painting of bighorn
sheep or Michele Angle Farrar's ethereal Pine Ridge
landscapes in 1980 captured readers' imaginations. These
artists helped the reading and viewing audience picture
remote places or envision elusive or endangered species and,
ultimately, encouraged readers to want to conserve those
unique environs and the flora and fauna that inhabit them.
Outside of the magazine, artwork from Pritchard,
Westerholt and Anderson was also featured on state and
federal wildlife stamps to raise revenue for habitat work.
For example, Pritchard's hooded mergansers won first place
in a Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest and was featured on
the 1968-69 stamp, which raised $5.5 million for wetland
acquisition.
As far back as the 1920s, Outdoor Nebraska has used art
to spread messages of conservation, many involving humor
and sarcasm through cartoons and comics — though, during
the early years, the social and political commentary was
often heavy-handed.
Still, in this regard, art has changed little in its purpose.
Even when the magazine began featuring more photography
in the mid-1960s, the role of art did not change. Pritchard's
ethos in creating wildlife images continues to resonate today.
"When pressed by acclaim for his work, Pritchard typically
replied the real reward of his job was making people aware of
the need for habitat where wildlife can prosper," Jon Farrar
wrote in this tribute to the late artist.
Art, whether traditional or modern, should make people
feel something. And occasionally, that art can be impactful
enough to push people to take action.
N
"The real reward
is making people
aware of the
need for habitat
where wildlife
can prosper."
– C.G. Pritchard
CLAREMONT GALE "BUD" PRITCHARD
CLAREMONT GALE "BUD" PRITCHARD
COURTESY OF N. Y. TRIBUNE
CLAREMONT GALE "BUD" PRITCHARD
CLAREMONT GALE "BUD" PRITCHARD
