Travis Hencey was born and raised in Chadron, Nebraska. He attended
Chadron State College receiving two undergraduate degrees: Studio Art
(2009) and K-12 Art Education (2015). Much of his career has been spent in
and around the intersection of visual design, technology, and education. He
taught art for several years, mostly at Chadron High School including the
2020 pandemic. He currently works for Chadron State College exploring
instructional design while focusing on his studio practice during free time.
Generally, Travis's art deals with the place and space of Northwest
Nebraska. He wants his 2D artworks to feel like objects, in addition to images
that explore the territories of memory, imagination, knowledge, and
meaning. He is interested in the art experience’s ability to clarify and to
obscure, to connect and to isolate, to spark and to smother.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
The Field, The Fire Burlington Depot, The National Willa Cather Center, Red Cloud, NE
2016
Rubble Sturgis Center for the Arts, Sturgis, SD
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
Visions Seen in the Air The National Willa Cather Center, Red Cloud, NE
2020
Spirit: A Celebration of Art in the Heartland 2020 Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE
2015
The Growth of an Artist The National Willa Cather Center, Red Cloud, NE
2014
PIONEER The Golden Tread Gallery, West Hartford, CT
2013
STILLNESS The Golden Thread Gallery, West Hartford, CT
2013
Inspired by O Pioneers! The National Willa Cather Center, Red Cloud, NE
2013
Chad Fonfara & Travis Hencey Nebraska Arts Council Fred Simon Gallery, Omaha, NE
2011
People, Places, & Things Circa 1900, Chadron, NE
2010
Alumni Art Show Chadron State College Main Gallery & Gallery 239, Chadron, NE
2009
Higgins, Hudson, & Hencey Chadron State College Main Gallery, Chadron, NE
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
2024-Present
Instructional Resources Coordinator, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE
2017-2024
Art Teacher (5-12), Chadron Public Schools, Chadron, NE
2020-2022
Embedded Technical Support, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE
2016-2017
Art Teacher (K-5, 9-12), Riverside Public Schools, Cedar Rapids, NE
2012-2018
Art Instructor, Upward Bound Summer Program, Chadron, NE
2012-2017
Business Academy Support, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE
2016
Substitute Teacher, Chadron Public Schools, Chadron, NE
2015
Student Teacher, Rapid City Area Schools, Rapid City, SD
2011-2015
Graphic Designer, Petersen Drug & Home Care, Chadron, NE
2010-2011
Telecommunications Technician, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE
COMMUNITY
2025
Artist, Chadron Open Frontier, Nebraska Creative District Poster Series, Nebrasksa Arts Council & Flatwater Free Press
2018-Present
Steering Committee, Chadron Art Alley Mural Project
EDUCATION
2014-2015
B.S. in Education, Art K-12, Chadron State College
2005-2009
B.A. Studio Art Comprehensive, Humanities, Chadron State College, Summa Cum Laude
Travis Hencey was born and raised in Chadron, Nebraska. He attended
Chadron State College receiving two undergraduate degrees: Studio Art
(2009) and K-12 Art Education (2015). Much of his career has been spent in
and around the intersection of visual design, technology, and education. He
taught art for several years, mostly at Chadron High School including the
2020 pandemic. He currently works for Chadron State College exploring
instructional design while focusing on his studio practice during free time.