It is with great excitement that we look forward to our 75th year anniversary with a Gala Celebration in October 2021. Therefore, we are still moving forward with the Fund Raiser Cookbook. Please review the instructions of the last two newsletters. We ask for five recipes per artist. The deadline is September 1st to enter your recipes.
Katie Johnson and Jo Anne Nielsen will be working towards setting up the watercolor workshop made possible by the wishes of the late Barbara Mitchell. Barbara was a joy in our lives, a gifted watercolorist, loyal member of Omaha Artists Inc and a friend of all. At her request, a Barbara Mitchell Art Memorial has been created.
Please make memorial checks out to OAI.
Barbara Mitchell Art Workshop Memorial
% Jo Anne Nielsen, OAI-Treasurer
7335 Shadow Lake Plaza #312
Papillion, NE 68046
“Without great solitude, no serious work is possible” – Picasso
During these months of solitude, we have adjusted our normal to what some call the new normal. I saw these words in a magazine ad, “isolation is more than being alone”! While alone, we have filled our time with working on often overlooked projects, dusting, cleaning, decluttering, organizing, cooking, baking, planting and weeding… Have you felt the clock ticking as you flip the pages of your calendars and wondered why you even spent the money on a 2020 Planner? Because of the COVID19, we have been forced to have a “Staycation” where we spend zero dollars on transportation, leave our luggage in storage and have no need to even get dressed. We stay up late with no schedule while making our own entertainment of reading, talking on the phone, dancing because no one is watching, listening to music, watching movies, creating art…
We will survive this ‘time of our lives” and make the best of it.
While returning to the ‘new normal’, we must take time not only to show kindness to others but, also to be good to ourselves. Did you know exercising for just 10 minutes can release endorphins, pain-killing chemicals that help induce a state of mental and physical peace? What else can you do for you? File your nails, pluck those chin hairs, meditation/devotions, gardening, enjoy a book or work on art. We must remember to be grateful as we have much to be thankful for...so many blessings. By thinking positive, we gain happiness. We can further gain happiness and positivity by not listening to negativity which includes not allowing even self-criticism! Be good to you!
Our lives have been interrupted in part because of the pandemic and now because of the protests and unrest. Through all of this, we continue to learn how to cope. How do we get back on track? We must return to routines especially bedtime, sleep patterns and setting our alarm clocks. Before the hiatus, what was your schedule? How did you accomplish your daily tasks? How often have we been told not to live in the past? Preparing for tomorrow can be helped by remembering how we navigated our daily routine and how much time each task required. I have realized it takes me much longer now to get ready to go someplace and how long it takes to dry my hair, paint my face, find what to wear and yet remembering how to even drive! We are out of practice and finding it easy to run late… giving new meaning to the one word, ISOLATE. Now, one must apologize for being late by saying three words: I so late!
Do you remember this song sung by Bette Midler in 1990?
Some lyrics: From a Distance there is harmony. And it echoes through the land. And it's the hope of hopes. It’s the love of loves, It's the heart of every man. God is watching us.
God is watching us from a distance…
This song was written by Julie Gold. She received a special 30th birthday gift from her parents. It was the piano she had played as a child. The piano movers told her not to play it for 24 hours. Gold wanted to play it very badly but instead, hugged and polished it! The next day, she sat down at that piano and wrote the song in about 2 hours. Julie Gold said, "I only set out to write a decent song about the difference between the way things seem and the way things are."
We are longing for the good ole days – no longer living in fear, from a distance, wearing masks, and with curfews. We may not have the answers but, we can hope for a better tomorrow, pray for those in need financially, physically and emotionally…showing kindness and understanding. We can do what we Omaha Artists Inc know how to do best – Be A Friend.
Hugs from a distance…Katie Johnson, President
If we look for hate, we’ll find it. If we look for love, we’ll be overwhelmed. – Goodnews Instagram
Cards were sent to our following members.
Barbara Mathewson
Courtesy Chair
The Lutheran Church of the Master advised the family center, our meeting room is still under construction. Therefore, coupled with the COVID restrictions and the unavailability of the area of the church, we will not be enjoying a Fun Shop in June. We will begin our art season in September as planned. Any questions, concerns or instructor ideas or volunteers, please contact Chairperson Shirley Schmidt.
Lauritzen Gardens is opening on June 1 to "walk through the grounds only" – no indoor stuff. I am waiting to hear from Jennifer Evans, who is in charge of art shows to find out if they have any idea for when art shows might be able to go up inside. They may not know yet, and may decide late in the month of June.
So for now – I don't know if we will be able to hang our show at Lauritzen or not. At any rate – I will send out a notice in early July to let you know the status of it – whether yes or no, and if yes, then how we might do the registration to keep people at a distance.
In the meantime, keep painting! This show at the Gardens needs to have nature as its focus, in some way, shape or form. And there are so many subjects right now to paint – so many flowers and green landscapes!
If things return to normal, the next show after that would be in October in Fremont at Gallery 92, with the theme that would have been for our cancelled Spring Show at Hot Shops, which was "Shadows".
Sharon Clawson
Art Shows Chair
During these times of isolation, it is more difficult when we lose loved ones – the inability to hug and be with each other is disappointing.
Barbara Louise Mitchell, a longtime member of Omaha Artists Inc. and a well-known artist, entered into the loving arms of her Savior on April 17, 2020. She was preceded in death by parents, Lydia & Daniel Meyer and husband Marion D Mitchell. She is survived by her children, Jim Mitchell, Dan (Kathie) Mitchell, Patricia (Roger) Kirkpatrick, Rob (Sara) Mitchell, nine grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Aside from her family, Barbara’s great joys were her church family, her PEO sisters, Omaha Artists Inc friends, and Extension gals. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at a later date (to be announced) and she will be interred in her beloved mountains.
Barbara Mitchell
Barbara's Omaha Artists Inc. friends were a great joy in her life. She wanted memorial donations to go towards making a watercolor workshop possible for her Omaha Artists Inc. friends. Donations for this purpose can be sent to Jo Anne Nielsen, OAI treasurer, in the name of the Barbara Mitchell Art Memorial. Barbara was a joy in our lives: we greatly miss her.
Please make checks out to OAI.
Barbara Mitchell Art Workshop Memorial
% Jo Anne Nielsen, OAI-Treasurer
7335 Shadow Lake Plaza #312
Papillion, NE 68046
Final Summer Luncheon for the art season
Weds. June 24, 2020 12:00pm
Board meeting 11:00
Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewing
17111 South 138th St Springfield, Ne.
Directions to Soaring Wings: From I-80, Exit 440 (NE 50/144th St) South on Hwy 56 for 6.14 miles. Then left on Pflug Road for .5 miles. Take 1st right on South 138th St., .61 miles, Soaring Wings is on the left, 17111 S. 138th St. Springfield, NE 68059.
As all of you already know, the Conference for 2020 has been cancelled. ANAC will hold the next Confer-ence, still in Fremont, June 9-12, 2021. Should you have any questions, please contact one of the ANAC chairpersons.
We were honored to be featured in the ANAC Spring 2020 Newsletter – see below Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Spotlight Article. Photo was included.
Omaha Artists Inc was organized in February, 1946 with 30 members. Our membership of 150+ is com-posed of artists ranging from professionals to hobbyists. In October, 2021 we are hosting an evening of celebration in honor of our 75-year-anniversary. Our Gala will include dinner, entertainment, silent auction, vendor booths and more…truly an event to remember. We are helping to fund this celebration by creating a captivating cookbook filled with pages of our favorite recipes and spectacular art!
We are fortunate to belong to Omaha Artists Inc and to have the opportunity to enjoy instructional workshops and attend motivating and inspiring luncheon programs. Membership yearly dues are only $22.00! Volunteer positions on our board offer a better chance to make friends, find purpose and do for others – a rewarding experience. Members can show and sell their art at our own art shows (3 regularly scheduled shows each year). All shows (except special club shows) have ribbons, and monetary awards or prizes. Yearly scholarships are offered for members to continue to learn, improve and continue an education in art.
Fun Shops with highly qualified instructors teaching these workshops are held 9 months yearly. The cost to learn is only $4 for members and $5 non-members! Our Board Meetings-General Meetings include an art-related program presentation: these luncheon meetings also are held 9 months out of the year. OAI does not meet in July, August or December! Our Fun Shop is held at a local church family center and the luncheons are held at various restaurants in the Omaha area! We meet one month out of the year at the Joslyn Art Museum for an exhibition tour, lunch and our board/general meeting!
Being a member of OAI, one may join ANAC, the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs: 74 of our members are also members of ANAC! It is a learning and rewarding experience to become acquainted with other art clubs. The organization of art clubs promotes positivity and opportunities for personal growth and lasting friendships while connecting with those of like mind and passion. Each spring (usually April), an ANAC Selection Show is held in order to have artwork sent to the annual state show. An art judge is hired by our ANAC Committee and paid $50 for the judging competition. Our quota this year was 28 art pieces chosen to be sent to the state convention and show. Our signature members are Sara Wamsat and Marilyn Evelo Hansen.
When asked what has been our most successful meeting, it was a difficult question to answer as all our meetings are successful! Our board meeting agendas include input by each committee-chairpersons-board members and as a result, this organization makes things happen!
Example: in the last couple years, we have created/painted small paintings coupled with easels (donated from a local auction company). These 340+ paintings and easels were packaged and placed on the food trays of Meals on Wheels at Christmastime through the Eastern Office on Aging. We painted nearly 300 ornaments (donated by the same benefactor) and decorated a donated Christmas Tree for the Tangier Shriner’s Feztival of Trees (member donated items included gift certificates. Lionel Train, lights and ribbon). Monies from this endeavor helped children and their families financially and other like projects in the Omaha area. At one meeting, we voted to donate $500 to a chosen flood victim; The Platte Valley Art Center, originally built by Author Roger Welsch in Dannebrog. Each year, we gather to create greeting cards (sympathy, get well, congratulations) by the member artists. These are sent throughout the year to members who need encouragement. OAI has a website which provides information for members and the public regarding the benefits, events, and programs of our group. The site exposes members’ artwork to the public through personal gallery pages and by highlighting winning show entries. A monthly newsletter is sent to all members – excluding July and August.
…and that’s not all!
Two philanthropic projects of OAI, since 2002, are our Community Art Reach and Art Bridge – 9 months each year!
Community Art Reach: Art supplies and monies are collected by the membership each year at the November meeting and delivered to the Child Life Services of Nebraska Medicine.
Art Bridge: teaches English as a Second Language-introducing art basics, teaching approximately 40 adult students from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
It has been an honor sharing ‘our story’ with the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity.
Katie Johnson-President and Jo Anne Nielsen-Treasurer and ANAC Chairperson
Omaha Artists Inc… where friendships begin and last a lifetime!
Congratulations to our scholarship winners and a thank you to everyone who applied. Scholarship Certificates and monies will be presented at the Soaring Wings Meeting, June 24th – see meeting details shown in this newsletter!
We are pleased to announce the Omaha Memorial Inc Scholarship went to Cassie Hubbs. After completing or attending her choice of workshop, Cassie will teach a Fun Shop next year as required.
The Genie Schafer Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Linda Guynn and to Joleen Rasmussen.
We appreciate the Genie Schafer family for providing the Genie Schafer Scholarships each year in her memory. We look forward to hearing about their learning experiences!
Thank you, Linda Bernett-OAI Advisor, Bill Bernett, Sherry Reese and Jo Anne Nielsen for being our 2019-2020 Judges.