About Great Plains
Creative Arts Association 

The Birth and Growth of the Great Plains Creative Arts Association
From Humble Beginnings in 1950 to a Lasting Tradition of Creativity
 

It All Began with an Idea

​

The story of the Great Plains Creative Arts Association (GPCAA) began in October 1949, when 29 Nebraskans attended the Black Hills Recreation Laboratory. Inspired by their experience, the group gathered to discuss an exciting possibility: Why not create a similar learning experience right here in Nebraska?

​

The enthusiasm was contagious, and five individuals were selected to explore the idea further with the Black Hills Recreation Laboratory. Those individuals were Rev. Howard Christensen, Leo Barnell, Paul Kemling, Catherine Kirwan, and Mary Strohecker.

​

The group agreed that a recreation laboratory in the Great Plains would fill an important need, and plans were set in motion to establish a permanent organization. It would be known as the Great Plains Recreation Leader's Laboratory.

​

On March 5, 1950, that vision became a reality when the first laboratory opened in Nysted, Nebraska. Over the next two weeks, 46 enthusiastic participants gathered to learn, share ideas, and enjoy the spirit of recreation and fellowship.

​

Seven People, Seven Dollars, and a Dream

​

Every great organization has a beginning, and GPCAA's was remarkably simple. Seven dedicated individuals formed the original organizing committee:
 

• Rev. Howard Christensen, Chairman – Dannebrog, NE

• Leo Barnell, Vice Chairman – Benkelman, NE

• Elaine Christensen, Secretary-Treasurer – Blair, NE

• Paul Kemling – Lincoln, NE

• Mary Strohecker – Scottsbluff, NE

• Otto Halbert – University of Nebraska Extension Division, Lincoln, NE

• Edward Janiko – Agricultural Extension Service, University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE
   

Each contributed just one dollar to a common fund, providing the grand total of seven dollars to cover postage and other expenses needed to contact instructors and resource people.

​

From that modest investment, a lasting tradition was born.

​

The Great Plains Lab proudly traced its roots to the Black Hills Recreation Laboratory, which had itself grown out of the Northland Recreation Leader's Laboratory at Camp Idhuhapi in Minnesota. In a sense, Great Plains was the child of Black Hills and the grandchild of Northland—a family tradition of learning, recreation, and creativity.

​

A Special Place to Begin

​

The first Great Plains Lab found a fitting home at the historic Nysted Folk School in Nebraska.

​

Established in 1887 by members of the Danish Lutheran Church in America, the school was modeled after the renowned folk schools of Denmark. It offered classes for men during the winter and women during the summer, emphasizing learning for the pure joy of learning.

​

Its philosophy was both simple and inspiring: education, personal growth, and character development were rewards in themselves.

​

Students explored literature, history, religion, arts and crafts, folk dancing, singing, and cooperative living. There were no entrance requirements, age limits, grades, examinations, credits, or diplomas. Everyone was welcome, regardless of creed or color.

​

The goal was not simply to teach skills, but to awaken curiosity, inspire personal growth, and encourage people to live fuller, more meaningful lives.

​

Perhaps nothing captured that spirit better than the school's memorable motto:

"We want to wind you up so that you never run down."

​

Although the Nysted Folk School closed as an educational institution in 1936, its buildings continued serving the community and local churches. Through ongoing repairs and improvements, they remained a welcoming gathering place.

​

It was here, surrounded by this rich tradition of lifelong learning, that the Great Plains Recreation Leader's Laboratory took its first steps.

​​

Challenges, Changes, and Determination

​

As the years passed, the Great Plains Lab moved beyond Nysted, eventually holding its gatherings at the 4-H camp in Halsey before relocating to Camp Caleo near Burwell.

​

But the journey was not always easy.

​

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the organization was struggling to survive. Attendance was declining, arrangements were sometimes uncertain, and the future of the laboratory was anything but guaranteed.

​

According to longtime members Mae Schneider and Betty Kime, the organization came dangerously close to folding.

​

One particularly memorable incident demonstrated just how much dedication was required to keep things going.

​

In 1970, Mae discovered only a week before the scheduled gathering that the camp reservation had never been made. Rather than risk losing the event, she paid the deposit out of her own pocket to secure a place for everyone.

​

The following year brought even more challenges. Several instructors failed to appear, without notifying Mae, who was serving as president, or Betty, the secretary. Attendance was low, and discouragement could easily have brought the organization to an end.

​

But Mae and Betty refused to give up.

​

Together with Toby Kloppenborg, they continued working to preserve the laboratory and its mission. Their determination during those difficult years helped lay the foundation for the organization we know today.

​

Without their commitment, GPCAA might never have survived.

​

A New Direction: Arts and Crafts Take Center Stage

​

While the early laboratories focused heavily on recreation, including folk dancing, singing, skits, and games, a gradual transformation was beginning.

​

In 1971, Betty Kime and Eula Wintermote attended a craft school in Tennessee and brought fresh ideas and enthusiasm back to Great Plains. Betty had taken up weaving, while Eula was teaching macramé.

​

Other instructors were introducing creative opportunities as well. Ray Schultz taught sculpture, and Lois Tollefsen shared the art of candlemaking.

​

Arts and crafts were becoming an increasingly important part of the experience, although traditional recreational activities still played a major role.

​

The year 1972 marked a turning point. The organization was finding new energy, a renewed sense of purpose, and a direction that would eventually reshape its identity.

​

Over time, arts and crafts became the primary focus, replacing most of the recreational programming. The number of instructors grew from approximately 10 to 20, offering participants an expanding variety of creative experiences.

​

What began as a recreation laboratory was gradually becoming a gathering place for artists, crafters, and lifelong learners.

​

Making Every Dollar Count

​

In those early years, operating on a limited budget required resourcefulness, dedication, and a great deal of volunteer effort.

​

A full week at the laboratory cost just $30, including the lab book. Those attending for only a day paid $5.

​

The lab secretary was reimbursed seven cents per mile for travel and received complimentary registration in exchange for typing, preparing, and reproducing all the materials for the lab book on a mimeograph machine.

​

Financial assistance also helped keep the organization afloat.

​

In 1971, the Great Plains Recreation Leader's Laboratory received a $500 grant from the Nebraska Arts Council. Similar grants over the years provided much-needed support during financially challenging times.

​

By 1980, however, the organization had made remarkable progress. Now known as the Great Plains Creative Arts Association, it had become financially stable enough that the board could decline an underwriting grant offered by the Nebraska Arts Council.

​

For an organization that began with just seven dollars, this was quite an accomplishment!

​

A New Home and a Lasting Partnership

​

Another important chapter began in April 1972, when the workshop moved from Burwell to Camp Comeca near Cozad, Nebraska.

​

The timing was especially memorable. Chic Garner had become the camp's new director just one month earlier, in March, and Great Plains was the first group he welcomed.

​

It was the beginning of a special relationship.

​

Over the years, Camp Comeca, under Chic's leadership, and the Great Plains Creative Arts Association grew together. The partnership provided a home where participants could gather, discover new interests, develop their talents, and build lasting friendships.

​

A Legacy Built on Creativity and Commitment

​

From a gathering of 29 inspired Nebraskans in 1949 to the first laboratory of 46 participants in 1950, the Great Plains Creative Arts Association was built on a simple but powerful idea: bringing people together to learn, create, and share.

​

Its history is filled with more than dates, locations, and organizational changes. It is a story of people who believed in something worthwhile—people who contributed their time, talents, resources, and even their own money to ensure the organization would continue.

​

It is also a story of adaptation. What began as a recreation laboratory evolved into a creative arts association, embracing new interests while preserving the welcoming spirit of its founders.

​

Through financial challenges, uncertain times, changing locations, and countless volunteer hours, one thing has remained constant: a shared love of learning, creativity, and fellowship.

​

And to think—it all began with seven people, seven dollars, and a dream.

​