New license plate evokes creative use of state's natural resources

A mosaic depicting a Roman chariot driver with flowing hair and ripped muscles was unveiled Tuesday as the background for the new state license plate, to be issued in 2023.

First Lady Susanne Shore, who led development of the new plate, joined her husband, Gov. Pete Ricketts, and others in saying the mosaic, which is the first one visitors see on tours of the State Capitol, will show Nebraska as more than cattle, windmills and sunsets — the traditional icons used on state plates.

“It’s a great piece of Nebraska fine art,” said Bob Ripley, the administrator of the State Capitol.

‘Crown jewel’ of Capitol artwork

“It’s like the crown jewel of all the pieces” of art in the State Capitol, said Drew Davies, an Omaha brand and design consultant, who helped select the artwork.

The mosaic, entitled “The Genius of Creative Energy,” is one of several on the second floor of the State Capitol done by artist Hildreth Meière to depict the story of Nebraska.

By state law, the state license plate must be changed every six years. Ricketts said he selected his wife for the project because she had a “passion” for the project — and because she picks out the wall colors in their home.

While it’s not a traditional design, the governor said it’s “kind of a cool thing” that it will depict something different and showcase the kind of artwork found all over the State Capitol, a unique, tower capitol building recognized for its architectural mastery.

‘Walking history book’

Ripley described the building as “a huge, three-dimensional, walking history book of Nebraska.”

“The Genius of Creative Energy” depicts the chariot driver harnessing the powers of wind, earth, fire and water, and Ricketts said it illustrates the creativity of Nebraskans in developing businesses and creating inventions such as the center-pivot irrigation system.

Shore acknowledged that criticizing the state license plate design is somewhat of a “state sport in every state,” including here and in her native Oklahoma.

“We have complete confidence in this design because it’s incredibly unique,” Shore said. “I’m willing to stand behind it.”

“I think time will show that this will become a very beloved license plate,” she added. “It is a winner.”

A dozen designs considered

Shore said she consulted with several designers over 18 months, seeking a plate that represented the entire state and embodied the “spirit” of Nebraska. The “Genius” won out over about a dozen other proposals.

She said it was a much more complex task than she anticipated because there are so many rules involving colors, size of lettering, readability and placement of numbers and letters.

Blue was chosen for the color of the plate, Shore said, because the mosaic has a blue-gray color and because blue is a state color.

Rhonda Lahm, director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, said the new plates will be issued beginning in January. About 3 million plates will be needed in 2023, she said, and about 9 million will eventually be produced.

State prison inmates, as required in state law, produce the license plates, Lahm said.