The Muck, the Seeds, the Weeds, the Blossoming: The Journals of Karen Blessen

The thoughts, life, and creative process of an artist are revealed to the public in The Muck, the Seeds, the Weeds, the Blossoming: The Journals of Karen Blessen, an exhibit that features 24 of Karen Blessen’s journals recently donated to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries Archives & Special Collections.

Opening on September 18, and running through February 2026, this exhibit is the first time her journals will have gone on display. The exhibit is located on the second-floor link of Love Library and is accessible during the hours Love Library is open.

Born and raised in Columbus, Nebraska, Blessen graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1973 and became an artist, writer, and freelancer for 10 years before working at the Dallas Morning News (DMN) from 1984 to 1989. While at the DMN, Blessen became the first graphic artist to win a Pulitzer Prize (1989) as part of a story team that produced the special section “Anatomy of an Air Disaster: The Final Flight of 50 Sierra Kilo,” which explained why the airliner crashed.

Blessen’s journaling began after graduation and by 2025 her consistent practice had produced more than 155 journals. In May of this year, she donated 25 of the journals, ranging in date from 2013 to 2022, to Archives & Special Collections.

The public is invited to the opening reception set for 5:00-6:30 p.m. on September 18.

This exhibit is a signature event of the Pages to Paths: A Celebration of Our Libraries initiative to celebrate our history, raise awareness, and co-create the future of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries with our communities.