News

Update on Art Shows

Details

Category: Art Show News

Published: Tue. Jul 14, 2020

Summer Art Show is Canceled

Sharon Clawson has announced the Lauritzen Gardens Art Show is canceled, since the gallery space is still not open to the public, and won’t be for some time yet. We are sorry that our shows have not happened yet this year. Hopefully you are still creating, because this virus can’t last forever! 

Fall Art Show

The Fall Art Show is scheduled to be held at Gallery 92 in Fremont. They do not know how things will be by then, but that is the plan.

Dates would be:

Registration: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2-4pm
Reception: Friday, Nov. 6, 5 - 7 pm
Take Down: Sunday, Nov. 29, 2-4 pm

Theme: " Shadows"

Memberships

Details

Category: News

Published: Tue. Jul 14, 2020

Membership in Omaha Artists, Inc. (OAI) is a great way to broaden your creativity, learn about new art forms, make friends with other artists, and network. An annual membership of $25 provides the opportunity to display a personal gallery page on the site and to participate in several members-only art shows, monthly meetings with art-related guest speakers, and monthly Fun Shops.

Membership in the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs (ANAC) is available through OAI for a $12 annual fee. Membership in ANAC is optional, but members are able to participate in a statewide art competition, which is held in conjunction with the annual ANAC Conference. You may belong to ANAC through only one Nebraska art club. ANAC membership runs from March 2022 thru February 2023. If you would like more information about ANAC, contact any OAI-ANAC committee member or visit nebraskaartclubs.org

You may renew your membership or join for 2022-2023 online or by postal mail.

We encourage you to join and remain good and loyal members – Our membership year is September to June of the following year. Your current membership expires August 31 but, we ask that you renew by July 31 to be included in the 2022-2023 roster and be eligible to enter artwork for the fall show.

75 Year Anniversary Gala Celebration Cookbook Fund Raiser

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Category: News

Published: Tue. Jul 14, 2020

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. 

Barbara Mitchell Art Workshop Memorial

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Category: News

Published: Tue. Jul 14, 2020

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

President's Message for June

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Category: News

Published: Thu. Jun 11, 2020

“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 

Courtesy Notes

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Category: News

Published: Thu. Jun 11, 2020

Cards were sent to our following members.

• Paul Nichols - Sympathy - Loss of Wife, Sandra Nichols 
• Laurie Foster Taylor - Get Well, Back Surgery 

Barbara Mathewson

Courtesy Chair

Fun Shop Notes

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Category: Fun Shops

Published: Thu. Jun 11, 2020

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. 

Art Show News

Details

Category: Art Show News

Published: Thu. Jun 11, 2020

Summer Omaha Artists,Inc. Art Show "The Art of Nature" 

• Lauritzen Botanical Gardens 
• Registration: Wednesday, July 29, 11-1 pm 
• Reception: Sunday, August 2, 2-4 pm 
• Take Down: Sunday, September 20, 2-4pm 

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

Barbara Mitchell Obituary and Memorial

Details

Category: News

Published: Thu. Jun 11, 2020

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

Memorial Donations for Watercolor Workshop

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 

June 24 Board/General Meeting and Luncheon

Details

Category: News

Published: Thu. Jun 11, 2020

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. 

• Board member installation 
• Bring your own lunch on Deck 
• Tables are set up 6' apart. 
• Soaring Wings has many wines to select from. 
• We will hand out tickets for your choice of wine, tea or water 
• Significant others are welcome. 
• Email your reservation or call Carol McCall at 402 499-7071. 

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.