At Dundee Bank, we’re proud to celebrate creativity in our community. Our newest bus bench outside the Joslyn features work by local artist Dan Crane, whose approach to art blends color, humor, and a touch of mischief.

When asked about recurring themes in his studio, Dan shared:

“Reoccurring studio themes of late: color, shape, reverential subversion, regular subversion, utility, fan art, time travel, and general mischief. I also enjoy messing around with the idea of masks / the idea of anonymity as a form of transformation and communication / physical and spiritual protection.”

For inspiration, Dan explained that it can come from almost anything in daily life:

“I see the Studio Mind Set as a part of everyday life that I attempt to utilize in any given situation. That being said, I am open to finding inspiration in anything at any time: from a broken chunk of asphalt from the street, to petting my dog, to watching a film from the 1960’s, to eating an egg sandwich, to smelling incense, to telling jokes with friends. Sometimes the jumping-off point for a new project comes from little garbage or refuse from a past project.”

The design featured on the Dundee Bank bus bench started with a scene from the 1973 film
Badlands:

“This design is a cropped and remixed (reformatted to fit the bus bench dimensions) version of a drawing I made of a pond. This particular pond was on a sign in the 1973 crime/noir Badlands, from a scene that had to be screen shot from multiple moments, and laboriously photoshopped together, almost similar to an archeologist putting discovered bones together. The scene is where Kit meets his love interest’s father for the first time. The film is loosely based on the American fugitive Charles Starkweather. The image has been distorted far beyond original-source recognition, with seriously poppy sensibilities, but I like to believe some of the original dark energy is embedded in the piece, making for a playfully sinister viewing experience.”

While the inspiration has darker undertones, the effect on viewers has been something else
entirely:

“A lot of people who have seen my work in this style of hard edged ‘colorful camouflage’ say it makes them feel happy. I’m good with that!”

Dan also reflected on the importance of public art:

“Art and design are everywhere, from the signs & logos on businesses to the final architecture of houses and buildings. But intentional, commissioned, public art is not only important for beautification purposes, but makes for a healthy cultural ecosystem. In my opinion, a community stands to thrive harder in an environment where there is a culture of creativity, as opposed to a culture of commerce, because not everyone can afford to participate in commerce culture. At its most basic level, public art is fun and entertaining, and it’s free to look at. But at its most elevated level, it inspires and spreads happiness and puts out an energy of positivity. It acts as a reminder to dream big.”

And when asked how his work connects to Omaha’s larger creative story, Dan shared:

“This has the potential to be a very ego-driven answer (nervous laugh emoji!). But I think art in general is a reflection of a time and a place. Art’s two main objectives are to act as a mode of self expression, and to communicate an idea. I like to think about art as a radical communication technology, and communication takes more than one person. So I think of making and showing art as a collaborative act. I think as far as Omaha’s larger creative story goes, if art can act as a conduit between strangers, which public art does so well, then there is a net-positivity in that. Get off your phone, get outside, explore art, and interact with your community, everybody wins.”

We’re honored to feature Dan Crane’s work on a Dundee Bank bus bench. Next time you’re near the Joslyn, take a moment to pause, notice, and enjoy how art can spark joy, conversation, and connection in our community.