News

September General Meeting Luncheon

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Category: News
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020

Reservations due
Tuesday, September 15 by Noon.

Have you ever seen glass art? Did you ever wonder about the difference between stained glass or fused glass? Maybe YOU have dreamed of someday exploring the world of glass? Please join the Omaha Artist’s Inc: 

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - Charlie's On the Lake - 4150 S. 144 Street - Banquet Room 

11:00 Board Meeting
12:00 Lunch, followed by General Meeting and Program (order from the menu) 

RSVP to Linda Guynn 402-618-0347 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Reservation by Tuesday Noon, September 15, 2020. 

program rhonda bruggeman

Seating will be limited to 30. Due to Covid-19, we will order off the menu. Since only 30 members or guests may attend, it is very important that all who make reservations attend (except of course in the case of illness or an emergency.) Due to the limited availability of seating ONLY those eating lunch with a reservation will be allowed to attend. Guests are welcome, but members will be given priority.

Program

We are honored our speaker will be Rhonda Bruggeman, glass artist. She will enrich our artistic lives as she shares her beautiful glass journey. As a military family traveling throughout Europe, Rhonda became inspired to become a stained-glass artist after touring The Cathedral of Notre Dame in France, the Ely Cathedral in England, and other world-renowned churches. Today, she creates fused glass and her company is titled Bits of Glass. Her enlightening and inspirational life story will want you to further your artistic endeavors. 

By-Law Corrections 

Details
Category: News
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020

There was a committee of 5 members, (Katie Johnson, Barbara Egr, Jo Anne Nielsen, Sherry Reese and Dick Brown) that looked over the Constitution and By-Laws and made corrections. 

Anything new is underlined. 

Anything with a strike through is taken out. 

Advisor: The Advisor shall form a committee of the Advisor and (3) three members to select the winner of the Genie Schafer Scholarship and the OAI Memorial Scholarship. A committee of three, the advisor, one executive board member and one member shall select the recipients of the scholarships from the applications submitted by members of OAI. 

Membership: Word change from object to objectives. 

Punctuation, spelling and some grammar were corrected. 

Spotlight Member

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Category: Spotlighted Members
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020
sara wamsat

Tell us about you? 

I was born and raised in Douglas County. I have made art from the time I was able to hold a stick, chalk or a crayon! I attended high school in Elkhorn because it was the closest school with an art department; I found not only an art teacher, but a mentor, supporter, and a friend...who still visits me at the Hot Shops! 

I have been with my husband, Kevin since December 5, 1971 when we started going steady and married following 4 years of college (Art). We have two children – a son and a daughter and 3 grandchildren with #4 due in February! 

I have always made art a part of my daily life – whether in sales of my own or that of others, many co-operative ventures, boutiques/ and mail orders. I was 18 years in floral design, had folk art gallery in Valley 93-97, involved in country cooperative “cherisables” – mural painting – volunteering, art donations and lots of free labor! 

Tell us about your history with Omaha Artists, Inc? What other organizations do you belong? 

I was invited to join OAI by Bobbie Harvey and took part in the first anniversary party (Maurine Cummins was President)! There was a need for art supplies by several groups: I had made connections through a nurse at UNMC who was paying for supplies from her own pocket…thus, the Community Art Reach Program was born – when I was President of OAI (2000-2001)! I have held every office with OAI except Hostess and Treasurer! Last year, Rose Rutherford joined me as Co-Chair and Sally Calhoun as my ‘hands on assistant’! 

I think membership in a group of like-minded people, who are committed to art and promoting art is a must for even “Sunday Painters”. We all need our TRIBE! You are never “not really an artist”, you just may not do it as often as others or as much as you would want. 

I am a member of ANAC since 1996-on Exhibition for 3 terms, Secretary for 9 years and a member of the Fremont Art Association (I was president of both FAA and OAI at the same time!). 

How did you get involved in art? Tell us how art evolved, your inspiration, awards? 

I have never not done art – I was always surrounded by very artistic people! My work has always been in a state of flux – I create in multiples, not necessarily a series, but many pieces at once, assembling and always with a finished product in mind. My inspiration is that I have the ability to MAKE. I am so grateful for this blessing. I cannot imagine not being able to imagine! 

I have been very fortunate to receive many awards in the eons I have been doing this…from county fair in 2nd grade, Capital Conference art shows in High School-Gold Key-Purchase Award in ANAC: My favorite recognition was my parents pride in everything I did as well as my daughter now in her 15th year of teaching ART! 

What is a little-known fact about you? 

I co-wrote “Big Red Quilt-ED”. A Curriculum for 4th grade teachers which was a state-wide program through the NE State Quilt Guild. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time, your favorite books you have read, author? 

I love magazines – especially art, antiques, and crafts in America, Ornaments. I love Maya Angelou, “Make the present comfortable and the future promising”. 

What are your travel experiences? 

Just when travel was possible, we can’t as I am the babysitter when my daughter goes back to teaching…and so it goes! 

What are you known for? 

I think I am known for thinking outside the box and doing work that causes people to stop and think or at least smile! 

What skills would you like to learn? 

I really love metal and because my fine motor skills are leaving because of arthritis – welding is really BIG Jewelry, right? I love plasma cutting and would like more practice at that! 

Has anything or anyone changed your life? 

Dorothy Tuma gave me the opportunity to be in the Hot Shops Art Center when I was starting to burst out of the walls I had put myself in – without that confidence she had in me and my work, I would not have kept progressing. Dorothy and Harriet Otis always helped me commit to art for the joy of it! 

What is your favorite quote or saying? 

Back to Maya: “We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it”. 

General OAI Meeting Minutes - June 24, 2020

Details
Category: Board Meeting Notes
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020

Omaha Artists Inc. (OAI) General Meeting
Date: Place: Soaring Wings Winery 

1. President, Katie Johnson-Called to order 12:00pm 

2. Treasurer Report, JoAnne Nielsen- Checking Account Balance: $4,123.82 

Committee Reports: 

(Association of NE Art Clubs) – Dick Brown, JoAnne Nielsen, Linda Jones, Karen Laskovicka 

JoAnne Nielsen reported yearly dues of $12 can be paid with the OAI dues at this time or wait until 2021. 

President - Katie Johnson 

  • Katie thanked each Officer and Committee Chairman with a hand-wood burned wooden spoon gift. 
  • Katie thanked each Officer and Committee Chairman with a certificate. A volunteer photographer took Katie’s and the recipient’s picture. 
  • Katie thanked each member of the Executive Board with a rose bud. The photographer took an Executive Board group photo. 
  • Katie thanked Jo Anne Nielsen and Susan Stevens each with “Go the Extra Mile Award” gifts. 
  • Katie presented Barbara Egr with the gavel and wished her the best in her Presidency. The photography captured the photo of the transfer of the Presidency. 

Motion to Adjourn-Shirley Schmidt
2nd Motion-Linda Guynn 

First Official Action with a rap of the gavel – Barbara Egr Meeting Adjourned! 

Deadline for Recipe Submissions Extended

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Category: News
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020
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Please take a couple of minutes to pull out your favorite recipes to share. They are needed for OAI's fund raiser cookbook.

Deadline for all recipes is November 15, 2020.  Learn more.

Community Art Bridge

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Category: News
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020

Linda Burnett, Committee Chairperson, reports this committee is currently on hiatus until further notice due to COVID-19. 

Opportunities and Announcements

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Category: Opportunities
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020

hot shops exterior

Hot Shops Art Center will have an exhibit throughout September displaying the works of the Hot Shops Fiber Artists 

self expressions gallery

Self Expressions Gallery, Nebraska City, has issued a Call for Artists. Please contact Honey Lynn Self on (402) 209-0463. 

Community Outreach

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Category: News
Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020

For almost 20 years, through the generous donations of our membership, Omaha Artists, Inc. has given art supplies to various groups. We continue with this worthwhile giving opportunity every November at the holiday Fun Shop.

We are no longer able to take any used supplies, and the list has changed a bit. Please consider helping us to gather items that will be appreciated and used by the Life Care patients at the Lied Transplant Center, Nebraska Medicine. If you are unable to attend or shop, monetary donations help fill in areas of need or where we are short on supplies.

Our art reach committee thanks you,
Sara Wamsat Rose Rutherford Sally Calhoun 

Needed donation items:

  • 24 pack Crayola crayons
  • Colored pencils
  • Drawing pads
  • Drawing pencils
  • Sharpeners and erasers
  • All colored craft paint
  • Canvas 8x10 or smaller
  • 8 color watercolor sets
  • Brushes and markers 

  • Scissors

  • School glue and glue sticks

  • Rulers

  • Stencils

  • Games books

  • Small boxed games

  • How to art books

  • Adult color books

  • All frames/cut mats 8x10 and under

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.