Name: Cheyenne Knehans
Hometown: Red Cloud, NE
Affiliated Fund: Red Cloud Community Fund
School: The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
What projects are you working on this summer with your affiliated fund?
This summer I am working with the Heritage and Tourism Foundation in Red Cloud to create visuals for tourism, local businesses, and future community prospects.
Why did you want to take this opportunity to participate in this internship?
As I’ve progressed my visual development skillset, I knew that, in order to make the jump into the professional world, I would have to get my work out there for people to see. When I was introduced to the opportunity to create graphics for my community, I jumped at the chance to give back to the same community that started my love for art and entertainment.
How would you describe the experience so far?
A total blast! It has been wonderful working with my supervisors and community on projects. I have had the honor of sitting down with many community members to talk about future aspects they would like to see developed in Red Cloud. Just getting to hear business owners’ ambitions and their passion for growth here in our little rural town has truly surpassed my concept of what this job entailed. I feel blessed being a part of their team by helping visualize their dreams into possible realities.
What do you appreciate most about your community?
The people. Red Cloud, although it is a small town, runs at a fast pace. People are always hustling and bustling to do something or to get somewhere. We are an agricultural community, so we have crops and livestock to get to! I think it is clear to see the ambition and passion that everyone has for this community. Like an atom, we all kind of run together but if someone stops and needs help there is always someone willing to lend a hand.
What excites you the most when you think about the future of your community?
Red Cloud is historically progressing. By that I mean, the community is always looking for new ways to expand but they never forget their roots. The Hotel Garber, named after RC’s founder, is going up on a corner of our historic main street. It will have the same window arches as the historic buildings that stood there before. A walking trail is in the works and a portion of the path follows the same trail that the streetcar traveled in the early 1900s. These efforts preserve the rich history of Red Cloud while progressing the community into tomorrow.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
Community, activity, progress, and open-mindedness.
