Beatrice Elementary art room, dedicated to artist, classmate

BEATRICE -- One of the rooms at the new elementary school in Beatrice is named in honor of a former Beatrice student and professional artist, Grant Searcey, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 42.

Doris Martin of the Beatrice Educational Foundation said the support for the art room is a great tribute to Grant Searcey.

"I think this is a wonderful tribute to the legacy that Grant displayed throughout his life. Raising money for the elementary has been a challenge, but there's been great joys. When I was able to call the Searceys....it was wonderful."

One of Searcey’s art works adorns the wall of the new art room at the Beatrice Elementary School. A generous gift from the Scully family and money raised by the class of 1994 made possible the room and a special cabinet where student art materials can be stored.

The class of 94 raised $5,670 to fund the art cabinet to be used by the students and their teacher Cheyenne Pinyan…..and to help fund an artist in residence program.

Grant Searcey was a member of the 1994 class, which recently held their 30th year class reunion. He was the son of John and Anita Searcey.