All four entries received a lot of support with a total of 47 votes. Thank you to all the members who took the time to vote.
The June issue of the Omaha Artists Inc. newsletter is available.
Note: You can view the newsletter without downloading the PDF file.
We need to do another round of voting to decide who the Members Choice Award winner is. Please vote by 8:00 pm next Sunday, June 6.
Click the award graphic to vote.
The May issue of the Omaha Artists Inc. newsletter is available.
Note: You can view the newsletter without downloading the PDF file.
It will be fun to see how each artist interpreted the theme, “Shadows”, for each art piece. We had 30 artists enter 75 works of art. The show is now live for viewing.
The judge, Deborah Murphy, will be busy deciding which pieces to award the prizes of 1st – 4th, and the 4 Honorable Mentions. As soon as she finishes judging, the awards will show up on on the web site. So, keep checking – but don’t be disappointed if it takes her a couple of days. Judging online is far different than judging in person.
Our Awards Zoom Presentation will be on May 8 at 4:00, and a Zoom invite will be sent to each of you. Watch the Awards Show with a glass of wine or whatever beverage suits you!
Did you know April is National Volunteer Month? Volunteerism empowers individuals to improve their community, to make changes, to follow their hearts and find their passion. April is National Volunteer Month – a time to encourage volunteerism and to thank those who volunteer.
First of all, I appreciate the team members who make OAI the fine organization it is...a successful art club even during a pandemic. I thank you, the OAI Board, Chairpersons and Committees. Often these valued individuals wear many hats, helping and encouraging each other, working many hours and doing so without pay or recognition.
Secondly, I want to encourage our members who are not yet “plugged-in” to a volunteer position to join us in serving the community. Not only do we give back with projects; cheering the elderly and the sick, we have the Community Art Reach and Community Art Bridge composed of volunteers. Don’t forget – as stated in our roster, Omaha Artists, Inc. was organized to promote the appreciation and development of fine art in and around the Omaha Metro area. What are YOU doing to help with this mission?
Of course, due to Covid, some outreach committees have been unable to meet. However, there are opportunities to serve. We need a secretary for next year. I have held that position, and everyone helped me. I did fine. We also are in need of a Vice President. If you feel a tiny bit interested in this position, please give me a call. I promise you will get a lot of support.
There’s something special about being able to say, “I am making a difference.” Are you making a difference? Can you? If you need a change in your life, want to add some FUN, enjoy making someone smile, want to lessen the load of someone else, contact a member of our board or committees. Then, YOU will be giving, doing and making a difference!
– Audrey Hepburn
Most of this article was written by Katie Johnson last year. I thought it was so beautiful and significant I “borrowed” it. Thanks, Katie! ;)
Warmly,
Barbara Schmid-Egr,
President
Barbara Louise Mitchell, a long time member of Omaha Artists Inc. and a well-known artist, entered into the loving arms of her Savior on April 17, 2020. Barbara dearly loved her association with Omaha Artists Inc. She was a friend to all and lit up a room when she entered. One of the memorial donations she requested was a watercolor workshop for her artist friends.
Therefore, with the blessing of her family, Jo Anne Nielsen and Katie Johnson have set these plans in motion by setting up a Barbara Mitchell Memorial Fund. A Two-Day-Workshop (watercolor) is being set up for 2022. We will keep you apprised of further information and will update you each month.
At this time, we have collected $647.00. We thank you for your donations.
Please see the April newsletter for information on where to send your donation.
Lutheran Church of the Master
2617 South 114th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
(Please note change of date from the Roster listing)
Cost: $4.00 members - $5.00 non-members
Pre-Registration required to Shirley Schmidt (limited number allowed, so register early)
Social distancing will be followed as well as mask-wearing. Please bring your own drinks.
We are offering this Saturday Fun Shop in the hopes that members of OAI who are employed will have the opportunity to attend a weekend Fun Shop. Karen Thurlow is a Nebraska native. She did not have the opportunity to have a formal art education so she explored every avenue to perfect her craft. Lots of art books and workshops....lots of trial and error.
Karen has worked in a number of media over the years. She now works mostly with acrylic paint and other water medias. Her work leans toward the impressionist style and has explored the abstract style of painting for the last few years. She also decorates furniture and wooden boxes. Karen has taught many workshops and classes in Nebraska. She is often asked to judge artwork for various organizations and schools. Karen is the past president of ANAC and also served on their board. Karen has also been a long-time member of the Fremont Area Art Association and served as their past president and is a current board member. She is also a member of the Noyes Art Gallery in Lincoln, NE. This workshop is compiled of several exercises to make you more creative. We will be painting with wild abandonment! We will stray from the tried and true and go with your natural impulses.
This workshop can be done with watercolor, acrylic, oil or pastel.....pick your poison.
You will need the supplies that you normally use for your selected media and a ruler, scissors and masking tape. Depending on your media choice, you will need either a sheet of watercolor paper (22x30) or a couple of canvas boards (16x20). To save class time you can take your watercolor paper or canvas board and divide it out. You can use a pencil, pen or marker to divide your paper or board. If you are using watercolor paper, you need to divide and cut the paper into 3 pieces, 7x30 inches, then divide each piece into 5 inch pieces giving you six 5x7 windows on each 7x30 strip. If you are using 16x20 canvas board, you will end up with eight 5x7 portions. First measure the 16 inch side into two 8 inch parts. Then measure the 20 inch side and mark into four 5 inch sections. You will be surprised at the creativity that you thought you didn't possess.
Shirley Schmidt
Fun Shops Chair
Have you ever wondered how you could strengthen your art?
How important are your color choices when you create?
How does an artist choose which colors to use?
If these or other “color concerns” plague you or if you just love color, then April’s guest speaker at our April meeting will be just the answer to your curiosity.
Anthony’s Ozone Lounge,
7220 F Street,
Wednesday, April 28.
Board Meeting at 11:00
Our guest speaker, Laurie Mach, will explain “Why Color Matters.”
Laurie is a renowned fabric artist.
Required reservation by April 24. (call Linda Guynn 402-618-0347)
Social distancing, separate checks, and masks required.
May 1 - 31, 2021
Judge – Deborah Murphy
Steve Reese is once again offering to photograph up to three pieces of art for $29. He is taking appointments for April 1 – 10. Steve's phone number is 402-212-5404. You must be registered for the show before making an appointment. Of course, you can photograph and submit your own artwork if this is something you are comfortable doing yourself.
Deborah J. Murphy has shown extensively around the midwest where her work has received several awards and has been collected both publicly and privately. She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Painting as well as a Distinguished Alumni Grant from the Nebraska Arts Council. She has completed major commissions, the latest for Farm Credit Services, Omaha, 2020.
Her work has been selected for the United States Department of State “Art in Embassies Program”, first in Tirana, Albania and now currently in Hanoi, Vietnam. She’s a retired art department adjunct, Metropolitan Community College and maintains a studio in Omaha.
