News

By-Law Review of 2020

Details: Category: News; Published: Sat. May 9, 2020

As required, there was a committee of 5 members including the president, (Katie Johnson, Barbara Egr, Jo Anne Nielsen, Sherry Reese and Dick Brown) who reviewed the By-Laws and Constitution. Again, because of the unusual circumstances of the COVID-19 Virus, we will be voting differently.

We ask all members to review the recommended changes. These are being shown in this May 2020 Newsletter. Those accepting the changes and voting “yay” and those voting against these recommendations, please contact President Katie Johnson by text at 403-310-0349 or by email only.

We thank you…

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.

ANAC News

Details: Category: News; Published: Sat. May 9, 2020

As all of you already know, the Conference for 2020 has been cancelled. ANAC will hold the next Conference, still in Fremont, June 9-12, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Jo Anne Nielsen 402-250-6464.

Recipes Please!

Details: Category: News; Published: Sat. May 9, 2020

Please take a couple of minutes to pull out your favorite recipe to share. Recipes are needed for OAI's fund raiser cookbook. The deadline has been suspended but the sooner we get them, the better! Learn more.

Time to Renew Your Membership

Details: Category: News; Published: Sat. May 9, 2020

Time to renew your membership for 2020-2021. Our membership year is September to June of the following year. Your current membership is good until August 31, 2020.

Renew by June 30 to be included in the roster and eligible to enter artwork for the fall show.

All March/April Events Cancelled, Updates on Future Events

Details: Category: News; Published: Wed. Mar 25, 2020

COVID-19 has caused our world, and life as we know it, to change. The board members and I have made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel events for the rest of March and April.

Any new information before the May issue will be posted on the site and our Facebook page.

Spring Art Show

As of yet, no decision has been made regarding the spring art show. We will continue monitoring the situation and will notify you by mid-April if the show needs to be cancelled.

ANAC Conference

The ANAC Conference has been cancelled for this year. Fremont will hold the Conference in 2021. Please feel free to call Jo Anne (402-250-6464) with any questions you may have. She says she will be home!

Deadline for OAI Cookbook Recipes

The deadline for submitting recipes for the cookbook has been suspended. Why not take this time to look through your recipes and decide which ones you want to share?! Read more about submitting your recipes (this link will take you to a printable PDF file that contains instructions and a submission form).

During this time of uncertainty, I hope you can find comfort in your artwork. Consider sharing what you are working on with the rest of the group on the Omaha Artists Inc. Members Only Facebook page. Let us know if you are not already a member! Since it is a closed group (only members who have joined can see it), we will need to send you an invite to join. It is a safe place, both from the virus and the eyes of the public, where we can meet to share our thoughts, artwork and encouragement for other members.

This is a difficult time for all of us as we navigate through social distancing. While we artists are in our “happy place” creating art, there are those who would enjoy a phone call or a card...especially those who live alone! We hope if you are in need of assistance for any reason, you will reach out to a member. We will continue to keep you apprised as to upcoming events!

Warm Hugs...from a distance,
Katie Johnson

Events, Programs Canceled until April 6

Details: Category: News; Published: Mon. Mar 16, 2020

Joslyn Art Museum tour and meeting have been canceled.

We were advised all programs, events (including tours) both Joslyn- and partner-organized, are canceled from Saturday, March 14–Monday, April 6, 2020. Therefore, our Omaha Artist Inc annual meeting and tour at the Joslyn Art Museum, March 25th is canceled for this year. Should you know of someone without computer capabilities, please advise them of this cancellation.

During these times of challenges and uncertainty, we must show patience, kindness and understanding as we navigate through postponements, cancellations and schedules. We will keep you apprised of any other calendar of event changes. On behalf of the officers and committees of Omaha Artists Inc, we wish you and your loved ones good health and happiness.

Katie Johnson, President-OAI

President's Message for March

Details: Category: News; Published: Sat. Mar 7, 2020

The alarm clangs and you shut it off, pull the covers up over your head, roll over and go back to sleep. You look at your sewing machine, thinking you should sit down and sew. You should dust off the keys of the piano, sit down and play a song or two. As you walk past your art studio or painting area and look longingly at the empty canvas and dry paintbrushes, you wish you could think of what to paint. Perhaps you should clean the drawers in the kitchen, clear off the shelves in the laundry room… Instead you sit back in the recliner and go through the channels on the television to see what you might want to watch. Has your energy faded and chocolate does not seem to help or even enhance your mood?

You may be suffering from the winter doldrums. The meaning of doldrums is a state or period of inactivity, stagnation or depression. Are you lacking motivation and inspiration? First, there is hope ahead as spring is just around the corner with the promise of sunshine!

Other ideas to help boost your body and mind besides a healthy diet, exercise and good sleep habits:

Schedule a time daily to create.
Read inspiring speeches, artist biographies, study art books.
Listen to upbeat music and dance as if no one is looking!
Watch movies and films that inspire with stories of art or artists.
Do something that makes you laugh. Milton Berle once said, “Laughter is an instant vacation.”
Associate with other artist friends who listen and encourage.
Volunteer, get involved, practice daily acts of kindness.
Sign up for classes – attend workshops: learn something new.
Visit Art Galleries and Art Museums in your city or out of town.

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. We have volunteer positions on our board offering a better chance to know art events in Omaha and to have lasting friendships with the promotion of positivity and happiness. Members can show and sell their art at our own art shows. Scholarships are offered for members to learn and improve. Being a member of OAI, you are able to join ANAC, the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs: it is a learning and rewarding experience to become acquainted with other art clubs.

Last month, I was asked to speak in Fremont at the Gallery 92 Luncheon and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the guests and looking at the fabulous art on display. I encourage you to visit other art clubs, galleries and museums in Nebraska and other cities.

One of the ways to experience art museums is join us for the annual Joslyn Art Museum tour this month. You will see details in March Program and Meeting. We wish to thank our member, Pat Lontor for always making possible this experience of education and enjoyment. Usually I share a quote in my monthly message – not this time. This month, Pat Lontor, our spotlight member shares her favorite quote which correlates with getting our creativity back ‘in the groove’ when seeking to beat those winter blues. May you have a spring in your step,

Katie Johnson
President, Omaha Artists Inc.

POSTPONED - Fun Shop: All the Same (materials), All Different (results) with Peg Watkins

Details: Category: Fun Shops; Published: Sat. Mar 7, 2020

The March 18th Fun Shop with Peg Watkins has been postponed.

Lutheran Church of the Master
2617 South 114th Street - Omaha, NE
Members $4 / Non-Members $5 – Invite a friend to join in the fun!

Bring a snack to share – coffee/water is proviided.

Title: “ALL THE SAME (materials) ALL DIFFERENT (results)”
Instructor: Margaret (Peg) Watkins

By using the same colors and supplies letʼs see what this creative group can develop. Lesson will be based on abstract painting with an emphasis on color, line and texture. So leave your landscape, portrait and floral brains at home!

Every Painting Begins With a Great Abstract .... Bob Burridge

Supplies to Bring:

4-5 painting surfaces at least 8”x8”. TO DO BEFORE CLASS: Gesso each piece with a base coat on the painting surfaces; let dry. Then paint each piece with one of the colors allowed (purple, red, lime, white or black). Each piece can be the same or a different color.
1” paint brush: NO OTHER BRUSHES (howʼs that for messing with your comfort level)
1” flat end putty knife (bent handle is best, but any kind will work)
1 additional palette knife or popsicle sticks for mixing paint
Brayers: 1 soft, 1 harder
Squeegee: (old plastic gift/credit card works)
Thin kitchen sponge (4”x5”) cut in half, NOT ones with a scratchy side
Heavy/soft paper towels (I prefer the blue workshop ones)
Two medium sized water bowls
Something to mix paint on
Hair dryer to help dry paint between layers

*Acrylic Paints to Bring: NO OTHER COLORS ALLOWED

white
black
purple
turquoise
lime green
red

About Peg Watkins

Peg Watkins holds undergraduate degrees in Fine Arts (thesis work in ceramics) and K-12 Education. She also earned a Masters Degree in Management. She has taught all areas of art in a school setting, as well as a recreational setting and worked for the Omaha Parks & Recreation Department for 27 years before retiring in 2007 to devote her efforts to her art.

Gallery 92 Report by Katie Johnson

Details: Category: News; Published: Sat. Mar 7, 2020

I was asked to speak at the Third Thursday Luncheon in Fremont, Nebraska, February 20th. Following the luncheon, it was a pleasure visiting and meeting those attending. How exciting that two of the guests became members of Omaha Artists Inc and came to our February luncheon here in Omaha.

It was an honor to share our story how Omaha Artists Inc reaches out to our community with projects like Art Bridge teaching ESL Students, Community Art Reach for the children (Child Life Center and Lied Transplant Center), the Meals on Wheels Christmas Paintings, Tangier Shriner’s Feztival of Trees, (included our Christmas in July ornament painting day)…and of our Fun Shops, Luncheon Programs, Art Shows, Cookbook Fundraiser, and our 75-year-upcoming Gala.

From left: Katie Johnson, OAI President, Diane Thomas, SA Quilt Association, Angie Olson, Advancement Director, Andrea Wimer, Gallery Assistant – Photo by Kitty Hoden, FAAA Past President.

My own story was telling how Omaha Artists Inc helped a new Omaha citizen, with much sadness in her past, to feel welcome. I moved to the city not knowing many people and, at the suggestion of my new husband, I found Omaha Artists Inc and attended a Fun Shop. I was immediately welcomed by Jo Anne Nielsen, Carol McCall and LaVonne Tripp. My first luncheon program was the Joslyn Art Museum Tour where I met Patti Kounkel. From my beginnings of hostessing and greeting to Fun Shop Chair to Program Chair, Vice President and then to President. Because of Omaha Artist Inc, I began painting again and got my joy back. I thank you, my forever friends!

Omaha Artists Inc. was featured in the Gallery 92 West newsletter. See the article in the March 2020 newsletter.

Some of the artists who had their artwork in the 2020 Winter Art Show!

Canceled: March Meeting and Program

Details: Category: News; Published: Sat. Mar 7, 2020

The March Luncheon Program has been canceled.

10:30 AM Board Meeting, Abbott Lecture Hall
11:30 AM Lunch on your own, Café Durham. Tables will be reserved.
12:30 PM General Meeting, Abbott Lecture Hall
1:00 PM Tour of the current special exhibition — Fact and Fiction in Contemporary Photography

NOTE: Joslyn members are admitted free to the exhibit. Non-members will be charged a discounted fee of $5.00 instead of the normal $10.00. Do not pay at the front desk. Please pay the $5.00 fee to Pat Lontor at the Board Meeting/General Meeting! Thank you!

We hope to see you there!

Barbara Egr, Program Chair, Patti Kounkel, Event Coordinator and Carol McCall, Reservationist

Barbara Egr

Program Chair

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