POET

A native of Houston, Texas, Jan Chism Wright moved to a farm in southeast Nebraska, enthralled by the beauty of the land and the life she encountered.  After a twenty-five year banking career, she decided to pursue her dream of writing full-time. She earned a BBA degree from the University of Houston, and took courses in creative writing from U of H, at Rice University, St. Thomas University and Peru State College.  She now lives in the historic Thompson House (1860) in Brownville, NE and is active in supporting the many cultural activities of Brownville.

In 2016, watercolorist John Lokke and I published The Barada Hills of Nebraska, a book of art and poetry.  The original artwork and poetry have been on exhibition in various galleries and museums in Nebraska and several poems have been set to music by singer/songwriter Daniel Christian.  In 2020, I published This Barada Life with more poetry and short stories of the Barada Hills.

“While I do not have talent of the visual art variety, I like to think I paint a picture with words.  Moving from the city to the country, not just from city streets to interstates or highways but to rock roads with little to see but land and sky and an occasional farm house, it is not just a change in place but a change in mind.  In wandering down these rock roads and seeing the changes from day to day, from time of day, from season to season, from sunny to cloudy, from rain to snow, the beauty of this land spoke to me.  I hope it speaks to you too.”

VISUAL ARTIST

Richard Hayek... artist, poet, and geographer, captures the realism and mood of the Midwest's landscapes through his art. He can be found traveling back roads or tramping along creek beds, impressing the scenes in his mind, relying on his senses to record an honest moment in natures' history. Back at his studio he transfers the scene onto the grain sandpaper canvas using pastels and charcoal. "Fascinated by the thin line between earth and sky, my artistic expression focuses on geographic habits," Hayek brings the Midwest home to the rest of the world. 

FIBER ARTIST & ANIMAL LOVER

Fiber artist, calligrapher, animal whisperer, wool spinner and woman extraordinaire, Jill Lokke maintains an active presence in the Brownville community supporting all things creative and organic.

A retired educator and a farm girl at heart, she left the big city and moved to Nebraska years ago, first building a chicken coop and growing from there. Now she cares for sheep, rabbits, turtles, a flock of chicken, and her newest adventure, a baby calf. Always one to use what she grows, Jill is an adventurous wool spinner and knits her own shawls and scarves, traveling to share her knowledge with other fellow spinners.

Involved in the creative Brownville scene, Jill serves on the board of the Brownville Fine Arts Association, is a member of the Brownville Artist Guild, and most recently joined the ranks of pianist at the Brownville Methodist Church. She is married to John Lokke, a talented watercolorist and illustrator who is also an expert on rattlesnakes.

DALLAS, TX

Zane Mallett is a freelance harpist currently based in Toronto. He was appointed principal harpist of the Baton Rouge Symphony in the fall of 2022 and performed Handel’s Harp Concerto as a soloist during their 2023 season. In 2025, he was named a winner of the Corcoran Concerto Competition and will perform Ginastera’s Harp Concerto with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in November.

As an orchestral harpist, Zane has appeared as a guest with the Rochester, Buffalo, Charlotte, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, and Niagara symphonies, as well as the Canadian Opera Company. He has spent summers at the Aspen, Spoleto (USA), Atlantic, Texas, Pierre Monteux, Round Top, and Eastern music festivals.

At the age of sixteen, Zane began his harp studies in Dallas, Texas. He holds degrees in Harp Performance from Southern Methodist University, Rice University, and the Royal Conservatory of Music. He is deeply grateful to his mentors Naoko Nakamura, Paula Page, and Judy Loman.

OMAHA, NE

Elyse is a dedicated and accomplished harpist with a lifelong passion for music. She recently earned her degree in Harp Performance from Brigham Young University, where she studied under Dr. Nicole Brady and refined her technical and artistic skills.

Elyse’s performance experience includes collaborations with The Utah Youth Orchestras and Ensembles, the Maywood Quartet, BYU’s Harp Ensemble, the BYU Symphony, and numerous other ensembles across Utah. She has also received mentorship from renowned harpists such as Hannah Cope, Tjasha Gafner, Parker Ramsey, Elizabeth Clark, Delaine Leonard, and others who have shaped her musical growth.

Beyond performance, Elyse is a certified Suzuki harp teacher and is excited to begin teaching in Nebraska. She is passionate about nurturing the next generation of harpists and fostering a love of music in her students.

For nine years, Elyse has performed as the Teatime Harpist at The Grand America Hotel, enchanting guests with her elegant playing. However, some of her most meaningful work has taken place at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she offered comfort and connection through music to patients and their families.

Elyse’s commitment to teaching, performing, and creating reflects her deep love for the harp and her dedication to sharing its beauty with diverse audiences.