LUX: Center for Inclusion

LUX: Building an Inclusive Community in University Place

Even as the LUX art institute creeps up on its 50th anniversary in 2027, it influences young artists in the University Place Creative District every day.

Each year, the Gladys Lux Print Museum at the top level of the building “cycles the prints through four curated collections,” said Susan Soriente, the curator of the gallery for the last 20 years.

These prints were left to the studio by the founder, Gladys Lux, in 1997.

The prints are different mediums, paintings, photographs, etc. These works were collected by Gladys throughout her life.

During her time as an art teacher at Nebraska Wesleyan University, she collected nearly 500 prints to share her love of art with the low-income farming demographic of the college, who had seldom been exposed to art of this kind.

The campus has four ceramics studios, with a fifth in the works, hoping to begin fundraising in 2026 so local artists have increased access to material, classes and opportunities to volunteer.

Their last addition was the new ceramic center in 2017. It cost them $1.7 million in renovations.

On the back patio of this center, LUX has the “only available public gas-fired kiln in Lincoln,” Executive Director Joe Shaw said.

This business is fundamental to the North Lincoln community, as it provides lessons, a studio, and a sense of community to a wide range of young artists, according to the employees and students of LUX.

They host their own First Friday in Uni Place, where community members can explore their galleries full of local art for sale, free of charge, on the first Friday of every month.

This and other events, such as their Sip and Shop, bring in new customers and students and displays hundreds of artworks available for purchase.

“Free is a main goal of ours," said Michele Peon Casanova, LUX’s Development Manager.

This is why their main galleries are free to guests and remain open to the public throughout their business hours, ensuring the community has ample access to art.

Their “classes and free exhibitions are a part of the fabric of experiences that make Lincoln a better place to live,” said Shaw.

Every year, they positively impact over 600 students across Lincoln, having done outreach at all of the Title 1 Elementary schools.

Studies have shown that children who are involved in the arts go on to do better in academics and pursue higher education, they said on the official website.

Many events are hosted at LUX throughout the year, including local art exhibitions, pottery, painting, and glass skill classes, art camps and their annual holiday art show.

They frequently work together with Nebraska Wesleyan University and other galleries near them to spread the love for art.

“LUX has had as many as 200,000 visitors, students and art event attendees since it started. We have tens of thousands of students and visitors to our galleries" every year, Shaw said.

The murals created by LUX artists are spread out across Lincoln for the whole community to see.

There are 15 located in University Place alone, and 30 others across the town.

“In 2024, the LUX Art Center was presented with the Tom Lorenz Tourism Development Award from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce,” said Shaw.

They prepare their artists to work in the art community of the wider world, offering programs from toddlers to professional adults.

Many of their staff start as interns, volunteers, or members of the Work Exchange Fellowship Program before being hired on as full-time employees or extending their skills across the country.

These fellows can use the ceramics center after hours and sell their work in the galleries free of charge.

“In exchange, they help keep the place clean, and they assist in the mural festival. I think it's just wonderful for them to hone their skills,” Casanova said.

It is volunteers like these that keep the LUX Art Center running and its historic building standing.

“Artists-in-residence have also gone on to residencies at Archie Bray, Arrowmont and other notable organizations,” Shaw said.

The LUX teachers, local university students, community art class students and volunteers often begin their work in the internship program.

They aim to impact the highest number of people as possible.

For example, Stephen Dinsmore has had his work displayed by the Mayo Clinic.

Lindsey Clausen was awarded the 2025 LUX Community Art Award for her work in public art and education.

This support and education is only feasible with fundraising, used to improve the organization in many ways.

One of the biggest is through the scholarships they offer to kids, teens and adults to ensure everyone has equal access to their classes.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, from 2020 to 2021, they were low on funding and offered fewer classes than in traditional years.

They were able to bounce back thanks to their many loyal benefactors like Kendra Angle, who donated $25,000 in memory of her parents.

Because of these people, LUX is able to remain a non-profit while supporting a new generation of artists.