THE MINDEN CONNECTION

MINDEN, NE - When sandhill cranes migrate through south-central Nebraska, they normally keep close to the Platte River and nearby fields. But one sandhill crane recently found its way into a Minden home.

Molly Anderson, a Minden artist known more for her exquisitely designed quilts, temporarily moved to sculptures. The sculpture Anderson designed is one of the sandhill crane sculptures made for Cranes on Parade, an event developed by the Kearney Dawn Rotary for the purpose of raising funds for area community services.

Anderson is one of the numerous artists commissioned to design a sandhills crane sculpture.

Her crane, which she covered in animal print fabric, is entitled "Klimt on Crane," named after her favorite artist, Gustav Klimt. She used Klimt reproduction fabric and animal fabric in covering her crane.

It took only four days for Anderson to complete her work, but it was four days of practically non-stop work. Her crane is

now in Kearney. Finding a sponsor for each crane is part of the fundraising process, and Anderson's sponsor is Horizon Designs in Kearney.

The decorated cranes will stay with their sponsors until October, when the cranes will be auctioned off to various collectors and supporters of Cranes on Parade. That money will also be used for area community services, including law enforcement, charities and organizations, emergency services, the Museum of Nebraska Art and other art projects, and Rotary projects and scholarships.

Anderson said the enormity of Cranes on Parade will provide great publicity for her and other artists. She will receive a portion of the final selling price in addition to the stipend she received for expenses.

The crane isn't Anderson's only art medium influenced by Klimt. Anderson also uses Klimt fabric prints in her quilts.

"I decided to put animal print on it (the crane) because animal fabric is my favorite fabric to use with quilts," she said.  "Since I think animal print is neutral, it goes with everything.

"As it turned out, the organized pattern in Klimt fabric is a perfect compliment to the random pattern in animal print." Add in some wooden discs for contrast and a gold-painted beak, and the imposing sculpture literally stopped visitors to the Anderson home in their tracks until the crane was shipped back to Kearney last week.

More information on Cranes on Parade can be found at www.cranesonparade.com.