Art and art history is offering a new class and residence program at Cedar Point Biological Station. Both begin summer 2014 at Cedar Point, which is near Ogallala.

Photography 161 (Photography for Non-majors) is the class being offered. The course will include instruction in digital photography with an emphasis on seeing photographically.

“Photography seemed like the natural beginning and interest,” said Karen Kunc, a professor who is coordinating art and art history’s participation in the program. “It’s the perfect way to get a sense of place out there, and many people want to learn how to use their cameras.”

Jon Garbisch, the associate director of Cedar Point Biological Station, said the photography course should have broad appeal.

“I challenge you to line up all 40-50 students out there in any given week, and I bet you 99 percent will have a camera in their pocket,” he said. “What are they doing in their time off or when they’re hiking up the canyon? They’re taking photos of everything.”

The course will enroll 12 to 16 students. And, the field school designation means fees for the course are reduced.

An enrollment deposit of $375 is being accepted beginning in November. The deposit covers room and board and is non-refundable. The total costs for the course include the $375 room and board (deposit) plus tuition (three credit hours) and a special course fee of $50.

In future summers, other mediums may be offered.

“Certainly there’s been interest among the faculty, especially in sculpture and printmaking,” Kunc said. “Painting seems natural if it’s on-site natural landscape, watercolor or portable media that can be done onsite. We just need the right creative artists who are adaptable to a space, who can bring their materials and would enjoy the camaraderie that is part of the atmosphere there.”

In addition, art and art history is offering a one- or two-week residency open for arts and creative writing faculty at Nebraska colleges and universities, as well as current Master of Fine Arts students. The cost is $230 per person per week for room and board. Applications are due Jan. 20.

“I think if we can make this opportunity for the artists and creative writers in the state to take a turn out there and just work independently and enjoy the facilities and environment, it would give participants concentration for their work,” Garbisch said.

Cedar Point Biological Station is a University of Nebraska field research facility and experimental classroom located near Lake McConaughy and Ogallala. The station is in the heart of the western high plains, near the juncture of tall grass an short prairie grass, on the south edge of the Sandhills and in the North Platte River valley.

UNL has been offering courses at Cedar Point Biological Station since 1975.

For more information on the Photography 161 course or the artist in residence program, including application details and deadlines, go to http://go.unl.edu/artatcedarpoint.