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Art Show News

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Category: Art Show News

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

Big Big Changes to Winter Art Show!!!! 

Since the Jewish Community Center has just recently acquired funds to redo more of the building, including the art gallery space, so we have changed our venue. We will now be at Gallery 92 in Fremont, 92 West 6th St., Fremont, NE. They were able to accommodate us for this show, so we are very thankful. Here are the new dates: 

Registration: Sunday, February 2, 2 - 4 pm
Reception: Friday, February 7, 5 - 7 pm 
Take Down: Monday, March 2, 11 - 1 pm 

No Theme 

The Gallery takes 30% of any sales if you are not a member of Fremont Area Art Association, 20% if you are a member. 

Same size guidelines apply. 

Spring Art Show

April 28 - May 3
Hot Shops Art Studio
1301 Nicholas St.

Theme: “Shadows”

Registration – Tuesday, April 28, 11 - 1 pm
Reception – Sunday, May 3, 2 - 4 pm
Take Down – Sunday, May 31, 2-4pm

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

• 3 pieces allowed 11 x 14 or smaller, (area of 154 square inches or smaller), each piece. Square inches are measured by multiplying the length by the width of the outside edge of the frame.
• 2 pieces allowed at 24 x 30 or smaller, (are of 720 square inches or smaller).
• 1 piece allowed larger then 24 x 30, with maximum size of 40 x 40, (1600 square inches).

Sizes may be figured by adding two adjacent sides, so smallest no bigger than 25 (11+14), middle size 54,(24+30), and largest – when two sides greater than 54 but not larger than 80 total.

Extra Show!! 

We will be at Lauritzen Botanical Gardens next summer! 

Registration: Wednesday, July 29, 11 - 1 pm 
Reception: TBA 
Take Down: Sunday, September 20 - 2 -4 pm 

Sharon Clawson

Art Shows Chair

October Board Meeting Notes

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Category: Board Meeting Notes

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

Omaha Artist Inc. General Meeting, October 23, 2019 at DC Center. President Katie Johnson welcomed guests and called meeting to order.

Secretary: Judy Freeland, previous minutes read and approved

Treasurer: JoAnne Nielsen reported $4973.88

ANAC: No new news reported

Art Shows: Sharon Clawson reports LaCasa is our fall host.Theme: “From Farm to Kitchen”. Registration, Nov. 4, 11-1pm. Reception, Monday, Nov. 11, 5-7pm. Take down Monday January 6, 2020, 11-1. Limit 3 pictures. Linda Meigs will judge our art. Winter show TBA. Hot shops will be our spring host. Theme: “Shadows”. Registration, April 30, 11-1pm. Reception, May 5th, 2-4pm. Take down May 28th, 11-1pm. Lauritzen Gardens will be our summer show location in July-August. Gallery 92 in Fremont will be our host in November, 2020.

Community Art Bridge: No report. Please bring mat board, any size to be donated Nov 20.

Community Art Reach: Sara Wamsat discusses in newsletter needs and supplies that can be donated.

Courtesy: Barbara Mathewson reported two new members, Jolene Kobout and Michelle Murdock. Barbara Mitchell is in Methodist Hospital until November 1st recuperating from a stroke.

Fun Shops: Shirley Schmidt, Neva Cozine and Sheila Scarborough reported the Oct.18th Fun Shop brought in 37 people and $177. Marilyn Beig demonstrated watercolor painting over gesso. Nov. 20th we will to decorate cards for Barbara Mathewson’s Courtesy Committee. Barb will supply cards, artists will bring their own choice of media supplies. Get Well, Sympathy, all occasion themes for the cards except Christmas. A brief board meeting will be at 11:00 am with a potluck lunch following at noon. Everyone is asked to bring a dish of their choice. This Fun Shop is located at 2617 S. 114th (upper north entrance).

Reservationist and Event Coordinator: Carol McCall and Patty Kounkel planned our first evening board meeting, dinner and program on October 23. The event was at the DC Center with 40 in attendance. Janna Harsch spoke on metal art and the organization, Impact Nebraska Art.

Membership: Susan Stevens and JoAnne Nielsen report 122 active members.

Newsletter: Please get information to Linda Guynn before Nov. 1st.

Programs: Chairman, Barb Egr invited Sarah McWilliams, an impressionist artist, to be our program January 22, 2020. Sarah will help us “discover our own style”. Location of this board meeting and luncheon TBA.

Publicity: Sharon Clawson announced postcards were ready and shared several at the DC Center Dinner Meeting.

Vice President: Barb Egr announced rosters were ready and being mailed out/ those present received theirs at the dinner meeting.

President: Katie Johnson has 10 free tickets to the soft opening of the Shriner's Festival of Trees on Nov. 21st. The drawing will take place at the Fun shop on Nov. 20th. There will be another drawing that morning for a $150 donation from Dillman's Workshop given to OAI for someone to attend a Dillman’s Art Workshop Retreat in Lac du Flambeau, WI. If you want to be in that drawing, call Katie, 402-310-0349 or email and let her know. For information on Dillman’s Workshops, call Sherry Reese as she has attended in the past or review the Dillman's Bay Resort website.

Unfinished Business: Planning of the OAI cookbook is underway by JoAnne Nielsen and Susan Stevens, as well as plans for our OAI Gala in 2021 by Patty Kounkel.

Other Announcements/Information: Linda Jones will be recruiting volunteers at La Casa’s registration, Nov. 4th, for people to help decorate our OAI tree at the Shriners location. Decorating day will be Thursday, Nov. 21 at 9:00am. Sign up!
Thank you Katie Johnson for donating lights and ribbons for our tree. Katie Johnson asked for suggestions for design of new business card for Omaha Artists Inc - contact her or bring suggestions to the November 20 meeting to be decided by the board.

Motion to Adjourn by Judy Freeland
Seconded by Sharon Clawson
Respectfully Submitted by Judy Freeland

Spotlight Member Section featuring Dick Brown

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Category: Spotlighted Members

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

This Spotlight Member Section is meant to get to know each other!

Tell us about you?

I was born in Boulder, Colorado a LONG TIME AGO and grew up in Greeley, Colorado! As a youngster I was very introverted—sort of a “loner”. I opened up by high school, played some basketball and golf but no other activities. For one thing, I always had a part time job, from the time I was 12! I met my wife Mitzi in college at University of Northern Colo. We were married in 1957 and both graduated in 1958. I then reported to the U.S. Air Force as a brand new 2nd Lieutenant. We had 4 children, 3 boys and a girl. They are scattered all over the country. After 24 years, I retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel at Offutt AFB. We stayed in the Omaha area since Mitzi began her own career at Mutual of Omaha as a computer programmer. She retired in 1997 as a Senior Systems Analyst in the middle of a six- year battle with breast cancer. She died in 1999. I have 8 grandchildren, 7 of whom live close by---Great!!

Tell us about your history with Omaha Artists Inc?

I joined OAI in 1987. I have always been working with our participation in ANAC. For about 12 years I was the person who took all the artwork from OAI. Bellevue Artists, Associated Artists of Omaha. And Council Bluffs to the annual ANAC Conference. I hung all the artwork, took it down, and returned it to the various clubs. I finally decided that was too much, and we reorganized. Omaha Artists has always been an amazingly caring and helpful group: I am proud to be part of it.

How did you get involved in art?

My mother was an artist in her later years. I have always enjoyed and appreciated art. When I retired, I still had some VA eligibility and used it to study art for 2 years at UNO. I joined Bellevue Artists and OAI, and here I am 30 years later! I mostly do watercolors.

What is a little-known fact about you?

I am a lay pastor in the Presbyterian Church. I have preached in 41 churches in Eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa over the past 25 years, many of them more than once. I regularly conduct services in Colorado. I recently retired from 30 years of teaching Adult Sunday School.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love fly fishing and have since I was about six years old. I fish all summer at my mountain home in Colorado. I read a lot - mostly non-fiction. I do a lot of wildlife photography.

What are your travel experiences?

I have traveled the U.S. quite well. The Air Force graciously showed me Vietnam and a tiny island at the end of the Aleutian Islands! I just hope to be able to enjoy my mountains each summer and I’ll be happy,

What are you known for?

Probably for my funny T-shirt collection!

What skills would you like to learn?

I need to become computer literate-----I am hopeless!

Has anything or anyone changed your life?

My service to my country and my faith have influenced my life and determined who I am today.

Art Bridge

Details

Category: News

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

At our October class there were 42 ESL students doing 3- D pumpkins. In November we will be doing a lesson regarding leaves.

Please note that Art Bridge has a need for mat board, any size. This can be brought to our November Fun Shop with any other donations for Art Reach/Art Bridge.

Linda Bernett

Art Bridge Chair

Supplies Needed for Community Art Reach

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Category: News

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

Please bring supplies to the November 20th pot luck luncheon / card making Fun Shop. 

Supplies to donate:

• small bottles of craft paint all colors/ acrylic
• construction paper
• drawing pads
• school glue
• glue stix
• pencils
• 8 count crayons
• sharpeners
• erasers
• small canvas 11x14
• 8x10 smaller canvas boards
• 8x10 or smaller mat board
• watercolor boxes (8 color)
• colored pencils
• all sizes of brushes
• rulers
• scissors
• small boxed games
• playing cards
• card games
• matchbox cars
• small game books (dot to dot, etc.)

Community Announcements

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Category: Opportunities

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

The Omaha Weavers and Spinners Guild 21st Annual Fiber Arts Sale

Saturday, November 23, 2019 - 9:00n am-4:00 pm 
Westside Community Center 
3534 South 108th Street 
Omaha, NE 

Joy Long Memorial Award Has Ended

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Category: News

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

Cherlynn Wilson, Joy Long's daughter, has announced the end of the Joy Long Memorial Award for "Best Use of Light and Atmosphere".

"We will have to bring the art award to a close. The last of the funds were distributed last year. It was a pleasure to recognize the artists that exhibited the elements that my mother was able to convey so beautifully in her artwork. We thank you for allowing us to honor her."

Cherlynn Wilson

An Art Retreat You Will Always Remember!

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Category: News

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

Do you want to go on an art retreat that YOU will always remember as one of the most satisfying experiences you’ve ever had?! WORTH every penny spent?! Let me tell you about my experience at Dillman’s Bay Creative Art Workshop near Lac du Flambeau, WI in June 2019.

My trip to family-owned and run Dillman’s Bay was one of the best art experiences I have ever had. Starting with emails and phone calls prior to the trip, being picked up at the airport, stopping for groceries on the way to the resort, I was treated like an old friend. Stephanie, Denny, Sue, Scott and James did all they could to make sure my needs were met and that I was comfortable. The resort is in the woods by the lake – beautiful and relaxing both inside and outside. My incredible AND fun workshop was Loosen Up With Aquamedia Painting with Bob Burridge. It was like 4 years of art school in 5 days! A terrific learning experience! Fresh and healthy snacks were provided for all mid-mornings and afternoons, box lunches available (really good food/lots of variety) or cook your own food in your cabin and lots of extra activities for dinner, late afternoons and evenings. There are usually 2-3 workshops going on each week during the spring, summer and early fall, lasting 3 to 5 days and all studios are open 24/7 for your working pleasure! Lots of opportuni-ties to form new friendships or to have quiet time for yourself. By the time I left, I felt like part of the family.

This experience was made possible partly because of Omaha Artists Inc Memorial Scholarship of $500 awarded to me. I encourage you to complete and submit an application – you will find it available in this newsletter. The recipient of this scholarship is required to teach a Fun Shop after attending the workshop of their choice. Therefore, I will be teaching a workshop in May 2020 for OAI based on some of the things I learned in Bob Burridge’s class at Dillman’s Bay. I will be teaching you to “Loosen Up With Acrylics” and I promise, we will have fun!

I hope each of you will go to the website dillmans.com and examine all Dillman’s Bay has to offer. You can check out the resort, cabins, 2019 and 2020 workshops offered so far and what goes with them. I promise you’ll come home excited, renewed and refreshed! I’m already saving my pennies for my trip in June 2020! Now for great news… When I told Sue Robertson (owner) how awesome my experience was at Bob’s workshop and that Omaha Artists, Inc. had given me a scholarship to help get me there, she immediately made out a gift certificate to Omaha Artists, Inc. for $150.00 to help someone else to come to Dillman’s in 2020! Plan to attend the Fun Shop/Potluck on November 20th as there will be a drawing for those interested in attending a Dillman’s Bay workshop! See you there!

Sherry Reese

Program Co-chair

It's Scholarship Time! Application Deadline is March 1

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Category: News

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

Omaha Artists, Inc. offers two scholarships yearly. The application deadline for both scholarships is March 1, 2020. The scholarships will be awarded at the March meeting.

The Genie Schafer Art Memorial Scholarship awards $400 each to two recipients to attend an art workshop. Learn more.

The Omaha Artists Inc. Memorial Scholarship  awards one member $500 to attend an art workshop of their choice. The recipient must be willing to share what they have learned with other Omaha Artists members at a Fun Shop. Learn more.

President's Message for October

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Category: News

Published: Wed. Oct 9, 2019

Nowadays, it seems there is an acronym for everything! Years ago, I was introduced to TGIF and no, it does not mean Toes Go In First. Then, PMS and no, that does not mean Pack My Suitcase! I thought for the longest time that LOL meant Lots of Love only to find it meant Laugh Out Loud: trust me, the wrong use at the time was no LOL matter!

The latest I have learned is FOMO – the acronym for the Fear of Missing Out…the fear of missing out on activities, information, opportunities, fun and friendships. We all want to be included, loved and have the same interesting and exciting life it appears others are having without us!

When you see or hear about everyone at Omaha Artists Inc having fun, meeting new friends and sharing friendships, learning new art techniques, creating and publishing a cookbook, participating in art shows, a beautiful dinner meeting in October, a new member roster with monthly schedules of activities…are you already suffering FOMO? Don’t delay – come join us for the fun activities and learning experiences. Read about it in our monthly newsletters and watch for my FB (Facebook) posts!

There are opportunities to help plan for our upcoming 75 Year Anniversary Celebration. Patti Kounkel will be leading the team in the planning of this GALA Event. You will hear more about the OAI cookbooks published with pictures and recipes from the members of OAI – this endeavor is being coordinated by Jo Anne Nielsen and Susan Stevens. Yes, they will be asking for your participation.

YOLO is the acronym of the phrase, ”you only live once” so let’s DREAM BIG because YOLO! Don’t miss out – join in and live the words of a BB King Song, “Let the good times roll. I don’t care if you’re young or old. Get together and let the good times roll.”

I look forward to seeing you next month at the Fun Shop (Oct 16) and at the October Extravaganza Dinner Meeting and Program (Oct 23) – those are the last dates BTW (BY THE WAY) to bring your painted ornaments or any artful donation for the Tangier Shrine Feztival of Trees.

DFTBA Don’t Forget To Be Awesome,
Katie Johnson – President
Omaha Artists Inc