December 11, 2025
Press Release
Date: December 11, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Cassie Ehrenberg, Executive Director
Iron Horse Arts District
(949) 295-7018 | director@ironhorsedistrict.org
Ted Titus
First State Bank of Holdrege
(308) 995-4411 | tedt@thefsb.bank
First State Bank of Holdrege Donates Downtown Space to Iron Horse Arts District for New Office, Gallery
HOLDREGE, Neb. — This Christmas season, First State Bank of Holdrege is delivering a gift that will keep giving long after the holidays.
The bank has partnered with the Iron Horse Arts District to generously provide office and gallery space inside its building to help bring new energy and creativity to downtown Holdrege.
President Ted Titus shared the news during the bank’s Christmas Open House on Dec. 11, announcing that the arts district will soon call 401 East Avenue its home.
The partnership came about after the bank received a give2Grow letter from the Iron Horse Arts District sharing the non-profit’s goal to raise funds for a permanent office and gallery space in downtown Holdrege.
FSB had already decided to move its Investment Center to a new location within the bank, leaving available office space on the main floor with a separate entrance. The bank’s lower- level community room is the perfect size and location for a gallery space. The space will still be open for use by the bank and other community groups. It is accessible by elevator or stairs.
The FSB bank family has a long history of supporting local artists. There has always been an interest and excitement in supporting the creation of local art.
“It’s been rewarding to have established artists stop by the bank and tell stories of ‘I remember when I was just getting started and the bank displayed or purchased my art,’” Titus said.
Throughout the lobby, George Lundeen bronze sculptures are on display, and Jane Wilson’s Nebraska Texture mural runs along the south lobby wall. Jane is known as the artist who created Sam the Library Dragon at the Holdrege Public Library.
Titus reached out to Iron Horse Arts District Director Cassie Ehrenberg to propose the partnership. Ehrenberg and the volunteer board of directors were ecstatic about the opportunity!
“We are incredibly grateful to First State Bank for believing in our mission and investing in the creative future of Holdrege,” Ehrenberg said. “Having a physical home allows us to deepen our impact, create more visibility for local artists, and anchor arts activity right in the heart of our community. This partnership moves us years ahead of schedule.”
The donated space will provide the Iron Horse Arts District with its first dedicated home—offering room for operations, small-scale retail to support local artists, and a flexible gallery to showcase artwork throughout the year.
The new space will support several district initiatives, including rotating exhibitions, small workshops, and expanded community engagement. It also positions the organization to grow its footprint and continue building momentum behind projects such as the monthly Art Galleries, creative placemaking efforts, public murals, and more.
Iron Horse Arts District is grateful for its 2025 give2Grow donors, whose donations will help transform the First State Bank community room into a beautiful gallery space.
For more information on this and other Iron Horse Arts District programming, visit www.ironhorsedistrict.org or follow @ironhorsedistrict37 on Facebook and Instagram, and @ironhorsedist37 on Twitter/X.