Time to renew your membership for 2018-2019. Our membership year is September to June of the following year. Your current membership is good until August 31, 2019.
Renew by June 30 to be included in the roster and eligible to enter artwork for the fall show.
Q: Tell us about you? …and your story of art?
A: I have been an Omaha Native for 84 years! My grandmother was an artist and my father, a policeman made duck decoys. I began drawing and coloring when I was 3-4 years old. In Kindergarten, I entered a contest, created a poster of the circus and won tickets to see the Barnum and Bailey Circus! My mother sent me on the street car in third grade to take art lessons at Joslyn Art Museum – the lessons only cost 25 cents! When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, after I finished my lessons, I would draw pictures. After one of the classes, my teacher found I had been drawing nearly nude figures: the famous pin-up girl Betty Grable made the Petti Girl and Varga Calendars popular. I was evidently inspired by these calendars! I went to Tech High School taking lots of art classes and a favorite teacher was Zenaide Luhr. I went to Duchesne College and studied Liberal Arts. I married and had 3 children, 2 girls and a boy! I taught crafts and painting for "Ladies Stay Out" at the YMCA. Later, I met the love of my life while playing bridge! I married Carl Beig who also had 3 children; thus when we married we had 6 grown children! Carl encouraged my passion for art and attended all functions with me. We were happily married nearly 24 years. At this time there are 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and #20 on the way! After our marriage, I went back to UNO to finish my degree in art education. I did my student teaching at Dundy Elementary School yet not teaching art, but teaching Special Ed!
Q: What is a little-known fact about you?
A: I enjoy fishing (walleye), have enjoyed white water week-long vacations on the water, picnics on the shore and camping in tents at night! I love the farm and horseback riding!
Q: What other organizations are you a member or have belonged?
A: Bellevue Artists Association, the now defunct Associated Artists (evening group), a Board Member of the Red Feather Community Chest (a fund-raising organization), a Girl Scout Leader for 15 years, up until a couple years ago a Kindergarten Teacher's Aide at the Nelson Mandella unique and private school…a rewarding position!
Q: Tell us about your OAI History and what positions you have held with Omaha Artists Inc?
A: I became a member in the 60's – I was Secretary 2 times, Vice President 1972-1973, President 1973- 1974 and most recently Fun Shop Chairperson and then Co-Chair as well as on the artwork hanging committee. I was honored to receive the Joy Long Memorial Award at the May, 2017 Hot Shops Art Show for Best Use of Light and Atmosphere. This was a painting (approximately 24x30 inches) of a Native American riding a Pinto Horse with buffalo in the background. After the show, I donated it to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I have been a member of ANAC for several years and in fact, my artwork was chosen as the travel show award three times! I am an active member who enjoys the luncheon programs and the Fun Shops. I especially like the Fun Shops as we learn new techniques and different mediums. It is a great opportunity to learn and at the same time visit with my friends.
ANAC Selection Show Winners that will be going to Albion, NE on June 19 – 22, 2019.
| Marilyn Beig | "Leviathan" | Mixed |
| Marilyn Beig | "Frog Pond" | Acrylic |
| Linda Bernett | "In the Glow" | Alcohol Ink |
| Sharon Clawson | "On the Wind" | Oil |
| BarbaraSchmid Egr | "Where He Broke His Hand" | Watercolor/Ink |
| Emmett Egr | "Mama Cow Baby Cow" | Photography |
| Linda Guynn | "The Bridge" | Watercolor |
| Marilyn Evelo Hanson | "Power of Pink" | Cold Wax |
| Marilyn Evelo Hanson | "Silver Lady" | Cold Wax |
| Katie Johnson | "The Promise" | Acrylic |
| Katie Johnson | "Whisper of Hope" | Acrylic/Modeling paste |
| Linda Jones | "Girl Scout Cross-over Bridge" | Photography |
| Julie Larm | "Spirit of an Egyption Woman" | Acrylic |
| Patricia Lontor | "Kristin" | Oil |
| Denise Lueke | "Cinder-Sarah" | Oil |
| Wendy Maliszewski | "Clyde" | Mixed Media Collage |
| Wendy Maliszewski | "Paisleys & Posies" | Mixed Media Collage |
| Jo Anne Nielsen | "Colorado Hwy 151, Auto Mart" | Watercolor |
| Jo Anne Nielsen | "Colorado Pasque" | Watercolor |
| Duane Pieper | "Bountiful" | Encoustic/MM |
| Duane Pieper | "Our Roots Go Deep" | Bronze Sculpture |
| Sherry Reese | "Beyond" | Acrylic |
| Shirley Schmidt | "Pictured Rocks, Michigan" | Mixed/Resin |
| Kim Sosin | "Red at Night, Cranes Delight | Photography on canvas |
| Kim Sosin | "Snow Geese over the Moon" | Photography |
| Margaret Watkins | "Night into Day" | Acrylic |
ANAC members that are NOT going to Albion, please bring your ANAC Selection showpieces and $15.00 on Wednesday, June 12th to Soaring Wings Winery at the June 12th meeting and lunch. This is our last meeting of the calendar year. Direction will be put in the June newsletter. These show pieces will be delivered and hung at the 2019 Conference "On The Edge of Something" in Albion, NE. June 19th through June 22nd, 2019. Then brought back to Omaha.
After the Conference, pieces may be picked on Monday, June 24th in the EAST parking lot of the Lutheran Church of the Master, 2617 South 114th Street at 11:00 am. Any questions regarding pick up or delivering please call: Jo Anne Nielsen 402-250-6464 or Linda Jones 402-613-0966 or Karen Lastovica 402-498-6423.
Please remember that any art piece MUST have plexiglass instead of glass. Except for pastels.
Anything new is underlined
(underlines do not indicate a link in this article)
Anything with a strike through is taken out.
The name of the organization shall be “Omaha Artists, Incorporated.”
The purpose of Omaha Artists, Inc. shall be to promote the development and appreciation of art in Omaha and the surrounding areas.
All persons are eligible for membership upon application and payment of the annual membership dues Application and dues are submitted to the Membership Chairperson.
The organization shall hold General Meetings once each month. except July, August, and December. usually on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A special meeting may be called by the President, a majority of the Board and at the request of a quorum of the membership.
General Meeting: Twenty members will constitute a quorum.
Board Meeting: Majority will constitute a quorum.
Executive Officers of OAI shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Advisor (immediate Past President.) The Board shall consist of the Executive Officers and Committee Chairpersons. Any member of Omaha Artists, Inc. may attend Board Meetings. Terms of office shall be June to June. Vacancies: In the event of a vacant office the Executive Board will choose a replacement to be voted on at the next general meeting.
Officers are elected by the general membership.
Omaha Artists, Inc authorizes shall use Robert’s Rules of Order when conducting a meeting.
The Constitution may be amended at any General meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, providing there is a quorum and notice was given at the previous meeting. By-laws shall be reviewed yearly by a Committee of five, which includes the President. The changes in the by-laws shall be presented at the April Board Meeting, listed in the May Newsletter and voted on at the May General Meeting.
In the event of disbandment of the Omaha Artists, Inc., all Association funds and properties in excess of liabilities shall be disposed of to qualified tax exempt organization in whatever manner the Executive Board deems advisable, subject to the approval of the General Membership. In no event will any distribution be made to any of the members of the Association.
The Advisor at the February meeting shall select a Nomination Committee of three. The Advisor shall serve as Chairperson. They shall present a slate of Executive officers at the April General Meeting. This report is to be voted on by the members in May. Installation is to be at the June meeting.
In the event of a vacant office the Executive Board will choose a replacement to be voted on at the next general meeting.
The dues of active members of Omaha Artists, Inc shall be $22.00 per year until changed by a vote of the membership. Dues are payable May 1st and delinquent July 1st. To be included in The Roster, dues need to be paid by July 1st. Please note that you may not renew your membership or join Omaha Artist’s Inc. during registration of an art show. Dues and membership forms must be submitted at least one week prior to an art show in order to be a member in good standing to participate in an art show. The art show committee is not equipped to take people’s dues or handle membership.
The amount of ANAC dues shall be at the discretion of that organization.
The by-laws may be amended at any general meeting by a majority vote of members present, provided there is a quorum and notice was given at the previous meeting.
By-laws shall be reviewed yearly by A Committee of five, (including the President) shall review the by-laws yearly. which includes the President The changes in the by-laws shall be presented at the April Board Meeting, listed in the May Newsletter and voted on at the May General Meeting.
The Board, presided over by the President, shall discuss and formulate all business and bring it before the General Meeting of Omaha Artists, Inc. for action. The Board shall also recommend such appropriations as necessary to accomplish the purpose of OAI. and shall keep an activity report to be passed on to their successors. The Board shall revoke membership if any person knowingly works to defeat the object or pur-pose of Omaha Artists, Inc. The President shall call special meetings.
The term of office shall be from June installation to the following June installation.
The President shall call meetings and preside over them, and cast the deciding vote in case of a tie; shall preside at all General Meetings; shall be Chairman of the Board; shall, with the Treasurer, sign all contracts. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all committees not otherwise provided for in these By-laws. The President receives membership free during the time served as President and the following year when serving as Advisor, thereafter, returning to dues paying status. At the request of the majority of the Board, a meeting may be called, and, at the request of the quorum of the membership, a special meeting may be called.
The Vice President shall act as aide to the President, and, in the absence of the President, perform all du-ties of the office; and, with the Membership Chairman shall be responsible for compiling and distributing the Roster.
The Secretary shall keep records of the General and Board Meetings and shall conduct all correspondence as directed by the President.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all receipts and disbursements of funds received and related to Omaha Artists, Inc., and ANAC. The Treasurer shall oversee the Genie Schafer Memorial Art Fund. The Treasurer will pay the bi-annual fee to the State of Nebraska. (Detailed instructions to be given to the new Treasurer at time of assuming office.)
The Advisor shall help incoming President with his/her duties. 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. The Advisor shall contact Bellevue Artist Association to notify them that the Genie Schafer Scholarship application should be placed in their January newsletter. The Advisor should also communicate with the Schafer family each year to keep them advised as to the Scholarship gift(s).
(This is just a list of the committee’s) nothing has changed except taking out Historian and Authority )
What an awe-inspiring and special time at the Joslyn Art Museum for lunch and a tour of the
"30 Americans" Art Exhibit experienced by those attending the meeting in March. Thank you,
Pat Lontor and Cheri Oelke for taking us on the tour and Pat, again we thank you for this well-organized experience each year. I am sure you will agree with me – for those who attended, it was a profound experience, sharing a moment in time: this exhibit was enjoyed for the paintings, fiber art and sculptures, the humor, the beauty and thought-provoking and haunting stories.
It is an honor to be a member of Omaha Artists Inc – each month is a new experience, friendships are
born, our art is inspired by speakers, art shows and workshops, our lives are motivated as we share each other's ideas, achievements and dreams. …and it is not all about us. This organization cares about others, giving back to our community those young and old and continues to find new ways of doing for
others. OAI – making a difference. Peruse our calendar of events and join us for an enjoyable experience!
Keep the sun shining – Katie Johnson
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." – Anatole France
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Board Meeting at 11:00
Luncheon/General Meeting at 12:00
Greek Islands
3821 Center Street, Banquet Room.
Order from menu.
Reservations by Monday, April 22. If space is needed for the program and no meal, make reservation as such. Contact Carol McCall at 402-499-7071 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Springtime is a time when something comes from nothing. The long-awaited crocus poke through the dead earth’s soil and suddenly voila! … beautiful splash of color appears where once there was only dirt or snow.
If you appreciate the renewal of life, you are in for a treat at Omaha Artists, Inc.’s next luncheon.
Our speaker will be our own Danielle Easdale, paper artist! This artist uses a surgeon’s knife, ordered from Great Britain, to cut images from paper. Although she is very modest and humble about her work stating paper artists are in abundance in Australia, her native land, the intricate work demands a new blade every TWENTY minutes!!! She can literally take nothing…just a piece of paper, and create a masterpiece. Danielle will share her artist’s journey and techniques as our next program speaker April 24 at Greek Islands.
Greek Islands is located at 3821 Center Street. Luncheon at noon and the general meeting/speaker will begin at 1:00. THIS is one program you will not want to miss!
Barbara Egr
Program Chair
April 17, 2019, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Master, 2716 So. 114th Street
Fee is $4.00 for members, $5.00 for non-members.
Bring snacks to share.
Omaha Artist Judy Freeland was interested in drawing and creating art at a young age. Her mother enrolled her in classes at the Des Moines Art Center as soon as she was old enough to take classes. In college, Judy minored in art and taught school for 20 plus years.
Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. Ms. Freeland has found watercolor pointillism enjoyable. If one tries it on a painting that you have set aside because of creative disappointment, you will find it adds interest, vibrancy and improves the depth to your object!
If you come without a painting, you will need:
Shirley Schmidt
Fun Shop Co-chair
Nancy Ralson
Fun Shop Co-chair
Neva Cozine
Fun Shop Co-chair
New Members: Maria Tillotson. Sharen Rotolo
Returning member: Mary Ann Zebolsky
Barbara Mathewson
Courtesy Chair
Hot Shops Art Center 1301 Nicholas Street
Theme is "Childhood Memories". Along with your entry, you must also write a short explanation of your "Childhood Memories" art piece on a 3x5 card to hang beside your artwork.
Registration: Tuesday, April 30, 11 am - 1 pm
Reception: Sunday, May 5, 2 -4 pm
Take down: Tuesday, May 28, 11 am -1 pm
Entry fee is $15 for up to 3 pieces, depending on the size of your art pieces
Image Size Guidelines
We will be enforcing size guidelines, in order to give the shows a better look, and to avoid overcrowding. These sizes refer to the outside edges of the frame.
Sizes may be figured by adding two adjacent sides, so smallest no bigger than 25 (11+14), middle size 60 (30 + 30), and largest when two sides are greater than 60 but not larger than 80 total.
Our Fall Art Show will be in October at La Casa. This show will also have a theme. Omaha Artists, Inc. will be publishing a cookbook, with recipes from our members, and with artwork from our artists. So the theme will be something dealing with food – and can depict scenes of crops in the field, the harvest, gardens, fruit trees, farm animals, still lifes of food, people working in the kitchen, someone milking a cow or goat, feeding chickens, etc. A title for the show will be forthcoming. Dates will be determined soon.
The title or theme for the Oct. show is: “From Farm to Kitchen”.
Sharon Clawson
Art Shows Chair
March 27, 2019 at the Joslyn Museum, Omaha, NE Meeting called to order by President-Katie Johnson. Minutes read by Judy Freeland-Secretary. Minutes approved after motion by Barbara Egr and motion seconded by Sharon Clawson.
Treasurer’s Report $4,247.88
ANAC: Conference will be held in Albion, NE in June. ANAC Art Selection - Lutheran Church of The Master - Art to be bought April 8,10:00-10:30 am. Two pieces are allowed, no larger than 40 x 40 size. More details in newsletter.
Art Shows: Hot Shops – Theme Childhood Memories, April 30. Registration 11-1. May 5 Reception 2:00-4:00 pm. La Casa-October OAI Art Show in October with food theme for future OAI Cookbook planned. More Information to follow.
Community Art Bridge: Chairman Linda Bernett reported 25 ESL students created collages in March and will paint flowers using watercolors in April.
Fun Shop: Shirley Schmidt reported 14 attended Gourd Painting by Linda Bernett for the March Fun Shop. Judy Freeland will lead a demonstration on watercolor pointillism April 17th, Lutheran Church of the Master, 9-2pm. Details in this newsletter.
Host/Hostess: Patti Kounkel/Carol McCall advised Greek Islands will be our Meeting/luncheon location April 24.
Membership: Susan Stevens reported 159 members.
Newsletter: Linda Guynn asked articles be sent this weekend.
Programs: Barb Egr announced Danielle Easdale, Paper Artist, as our Program Speaker - April 24 at the Greek Island Restaurant – Banquet Room.
Unfinished Business: Jo Anne Nielsen advised By-Law and Constitution Committee met / Final Revisions will be shared in Newsletter for approval.
New Business: An evening Board meeting/meal was discussed/October suggested. Details to follow. Any member interested in being on the board or participating on a committee, contact Katie Johnson or a Committee Chairman.
Motion to Adjourn: Barb Egr / Seconded: Sharon Clawson
Judy Freeland
Secretary