Iron Horse Arts District Launches New Website
Date: May 29, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Ehrenberg, Iron Horse Arts District Project Manager at (949) 295-7018, info@ironhorsedistrict.org
Iron Horse Arts District Launches New Website
HOLDREGE – The Iron Horse Arts District in downtown Holdrege has launched a new website to share information about their work and goals in the community.
The website, located at ironhorsedistrict.org, currently includes information about the District in general, pages discussing the Iron Horse Festival on September 14, and additional arts events and activities planned through the summer.
“The Iron Horse Arts District has a lot of projects and events in the works for Holdrege,” Project Manager Cassie Ehrenberg said. “Developing a website to easily share and update that information, and allow the public to get involved just made sense. As we start new initiatives or develop future events, that will be the first place to look for new information.”
Funding for the website was generously provided through a grant from the Phelps County Development Corporation.
“I’m thankful that PCDC provided the funding for this website project through their Digital Development Grant,” Ehrenberg continued. “In addition to being champions for the arts in Holdrege, Iron Horse is also working to become an economic driver in the city and county.”
For more information, please visit the new website (ironhorsedistrict.org) or email info@ironhorsedistrict.org with any questions.
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Iron Horse Arts District Announces Photo Contest
The Iron Horse Arts District in downtown Holdrege is hosting a photography contest in May with the theme “Embrace Your Space.”
The contest invites amateur or professional photographers to submit photos of places in Phelps County.
Date: April 30, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Ehrenberg, Iron Horse Project Manager at (949) 295-7018, ironhorsedistrict37@gmail.com
Iron Horse District Announces Photo Contest
HOLDREGE – The Iron Horse Arts District in downtown Holdrege is hosting a photography contest in May with the theme “Embrace Your Space.”
The contest invites amateur or professional photographers to submit photos of places in Phelps County.
“Phelps County is home to a variety of natural beauty, rich agricultural lands, and vibrant communities,” Iron Horse District Project Manager Cassie Ehrenberg said. “We’re looking for images that show what makes Phelps County special to you. Whether you are a novice or professional, all are invited to share photos that Embrace Your Space and celebrate what you find beautiful and worthy of celebration in Phelps County.”
Funding for the contest was generously provided by a grant from the Women’s Giving Group and a donation from Those Blasted Signs.
The contest will be run on woobox.com/fjxdvd. Photo entries can be uploaded from May 1 to May 22, 2024. Community voting will begin on May 8 and close on May 31, 2024.
The top eight entries will be professionally printed and featured in a pop-up outdoor art show in downtown Holdrege in September. The show will be included in the Sept. 14 Iron Horse Festival, an all-day celebration of the arts in Holdrege. Winners will also receive an Iron Horse Swag Bag.
Photography should be limited to Phelps County, both to share what inspires you here as well as to challenge you to look for beauty you may have overlooked before. What makes Phelps iconic and memorable? What makes it special to you?
Even if a photograph does not win this contest, it may be featured on the Iron Horse District’s official website and social media.
For a complete list of entry and voting rules, please visit Iron Horse District 37 on Facebook or the contest website at (woobox.com/fjxdvd). Email ironhorsedistrict37@gmail.com with any questions.
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Iron Horse District Receives Grant, Contracts with Project Manager
The Iron Horse District has contracted with Inkton Solutions of Holdrege (Cassie Ehrenberg) for project management services.
Date: April 4, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristine Jacobson, Phelps Co. Visitors Committee, (308) 991-2977, visitphelpscounty@gmail.com or Cassie Ehrenberg, Inkton Solutions at (949) 295-7018, ironhorsedistrict37@gmail.com
Cutline from left: Stephanie Dannehl (PMHC Board of Directors), Bridgette Bingham (Iron Horse Volunteer), Mike Burris (Iron Horse Volunteer/Holdrege Public Library), Cassie Ehrenberg (Iron Horse Project Manager), Ron Tillery (Iron Horse Volunteer/PCDC), Kristine Jacobson (Iron Horse Volunteer/Phelps County Tourism), Ryan Ehrenberg (Iron Horse Volunteer), Linda Heiden (PMHC Board of Directors), Mark Harrell (PMHC CEO), Adam Hernandez (Iron Horse Volunteer/Holdrege Chamber).
HOLDREGE – The Iron Horse District has contracted with Inkton Solutions of Holdrege (Cassie Ehrenberg) for project management services.
Ehrenberg has worked in project management for more than a decade with companies such as Warner Bros. and Gusto. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree.
Ehrenberg moved to Holdrege from the Los Angeles area in April 2023. She and her husband, Ryan, have both been actively involved in the Iron Horse District strategic planning process, and she has already donated countless hours to the project. She recently launched a new business, Inkton Solutions, which helps organizations with project management, websites and writing.
“I am excited about the chance to lead innovative art projects in Phelps County through the Iron Horse District,” Ehrenberg said. “This community is brimming with creativity, and I am eager to collaborate to highlight and honor it. Our upcoming events, such as the Iron Horse Festival, Pop-Up Gallery exhibitions, and other initiatives, will provide a platform to showcase and celebrate the arts in exciting new ways.”
Iron Horse Steering Committee Member Kristine Jacobson said Ehrenberg is the perfect fit for the new role, which will involve implementing the Iron Horse District strategic plan, organizing events in the new district, raising funds, and working with volunteers to make the area come to life.
“We are so lucky to have Cassie’s expertise to lead this next phase of the Iron Horse District development,” Jacobson said.
The initial funding of project management for the district was made possible through a generous grant from the Phelps Memorial Hospital Foundation.
“We are grateful to the Phelps Memorial Hospital Foundation for seeing the importance of project management to bring the Iron Horse District to life,” Jacobson said.
One of Ehrenberg’s main initial tasks is organizing, along with volunteers, the Iron Horse Festival on Sept. 14. The all-day event will feature demonstrators, artisans, vendors, food trucks and an evening outdoor concert featuring Logan Mize, Luke Mills and Savanna Chestnut. Tickets are on sale now at https://logan-mize-iron-horse.eventbrite.com.
Iron Horse volunteers are also currently working to finalize a logo and branding guide, planning pop-up art displays and physical enhancements, and securing the first mural artist.
A request for qualifications for professional muralists is open until April 17. A mural is being planned for the RiteWay Building at 815 4th Ave.
The Nebraska Arts Council officially certified downtown Holdrege as an official creative arts district in January. The arts district program elevates the arts as an economic driver to support Nebraska communities.
For more information or to volunteer or be involved in Holdrege’s Iron Horse District, email ironhorsedistrict37@gmail.com, visit Iron Horse District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ironhorsedistrict37.
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Holdrege’s Iron Horse District Named Certified Nebraska Creative District
The Nebraska Arts Council has recognized downtown Holdrege as an official Certified Creative District and awarded a $10,000 grant to promote and enhance the area, now being branded as the Iron Horse District.
Date: Feb. 14, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristine Jacobson, Phelps Co. Visitors Committee, (308) 991-2977, ironhorsedistrict37@gmail.com or Lori Larson, Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce at (308) 995-4444, director@holdregechamber.com.
Holdrege’s Iron Horse District Named Certified Nebraska Creative District
Some of the Iron Horse District volunteers are pictured in this certification celebration photo. Front from left, Kristine Jacobson, Vickie Klein, Lori Larson. Back middle from left, Jaimee Anderson, Connie Jacobson, Chelsea Feusner, Allisha Melroy, Sierra Burrows. Back from left, Ryan Ehrenberg, Mike Burris, Micah Huyser, Adam Hernandez, Cassie Ehrenberg, Luke Mills, Mona Peterson, Sherry McClymont.
HOLDREGE – The Nebraska Arts Council has recognized downtown Holdrege as an official Certified Creative District and awarded a $10,000 grant to promote and enhance the area, now being branded as the Iron Horse District.
The public is invited to celebrate the new certification at a Leap Day party from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Holdrege Public Library. The event will feature decorate-your-own cookies, an artsy photo booth, and information about the new district.
The Nebraska Creative District Program elevates the arts as an economic driver to support Nebraska communities.
Downtown Holdrege is already thriving with arts and creativity. Beautiful floral arrangements at Holdrege Floral Expressions, author talks and craft events at the Holdrege Public Library, painting events at the Lost Way Brewery and Holdrege Sun Theater & Event Venue, and live music at JB’s Sports Bar & Grill are just a few of the regular creative activities already happening in downtown Holdrege. Visitors can enjoy several bronze sculptures in downtown Holdrege, and the new Midtown Sculpture Garden is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024.
This new certification will open funding opportunities to enhance the area even further and bring new life to downtown Holdrege, which has already seen momentum from recent new businesses and investments. The Iron Horse District will create opportunities for residents to create and connect, attract new residents and draw tourists to the area.
Plans for the district include physical enhancements such as lights, murals and painted crosswalks; a temporary and later permanent art center/gallery; public art displays and contests; and a signature art and music festival each fall with the first event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14. It is an ongoing program to support the arts and economic development in Holdrege.
The certification process for the Iron Horse District started in the spring of 2023 when five local organizations partnered to begin the process. Representatives from the Phelps County Visitors Committee, Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce, Phelps County Development Corporation, City of Holdrege and the Holdrege Public Library hosted community input meetings during the summer of 2023. More than 40 residents attended those meetings and helped identify the area’s strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities and gave their ideas for the Iron Horse District. In the fall of 2023, more than 20 residents met to formulate a strategic plan for the district. The Nebraska Arts Council approved the strategic plan and officially recognized the Iron Horse District on Jan. 10, 2024.
The Nebraska State Legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program in 2020. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors.
For more information about the Creative District program, visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts or call the office at 402-595-2122.
For more information or to volunteer or be involved in Holdrege’s Iron Horse District, email ironhorsedistrict37@gmail.com, visit Iron Horse District on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ironhorsedistrict37) or visit the Nebraska Arts Council’s website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/iron-horse-creative-district.
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