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Scholarship Applications Due March 1

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Feb 10, 2019

Omaha Artists, Inc. offers two scholarships yearly. The application deadline for both scholarships is March 1, 2019. 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.

Spotlight Section featuring Sharon Clawson

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Feb 10, 2019

The Spotlight Member Section is meant to get to know each other.

Q: Can you tell us about yourself?

A: I was born in and grew up in South Sioux City, NE. I got my Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Life Sciences from UNL. I worked full time and part time at UNMC as a research assistant a long time ago. I’ve been married to the same cool guy named Bruce for 44 years.. We have 3 kids, two boys and a girl. Our oldest boy and our daughter live in Long Beach, CA, so 2 of our grandsons live way far away. They are ages 4 and 2. Our other son lives here in Omaha so we have a 9 year old grandson here to spoil. My hobbies include travel, gardening, horseback riding, camping, hiking, nature activities and having fun with my kids and grandkids, and my hubby, of course.

Q: Tell us something about you that most people do not know about?

A: Something you don’t know about me is that my nickname as a girl was “Tootie”!

Q: Have you been a member of other organizations?

A: I'm a life member of Sierra Club (national environmental organization) and am currently on the local board serving as secretary. I have served as president of the PTA when the kids were in school, was on our church council, was a former Girl Scout Leader, and was a volunteer at Neale Woods Nature Center.

Q: How did you get involved in art? Tell us your story...

A: I always loved to draw and color as a kid, and my aunt was a a well known artist in the town I grew up in. So, she taught me how to use oils and pastels when I was about 12 - I learned so much from her. I continued to occasionally take the time to paint and make art while in high school college, and took a few classes in art at UNL, also at UNO after getting married and while having kids. I learned to use watercolor at UNO. I learned to use acrylic at some Fun Shops through OAI, and refined my skills in oil and pastel at other Fun Shops local workshops. I've lately preferred oil, but I still like to use the other mediums.

Q: What is your history or experience with OAI?

A: I've always enjoyed my time with OAI - and I'm happy that the board is so friendly and harmonious! I have been a member of OAI for a long time now - I think I joined in the 90's. I learned of it from a friend who was in a different art group. I've served on various committees of OAI, and have held positions of Vice President, President, and for the past several years I've been the Art Show Chairperson. This entails finding a venue for each of our 3 shows per year, getting a judge for each show, ordering ribbons for the year, and everything else involved in getting the show up and ready.

I have several long term committee members on the art show committee - they include Pat Lontor, Debi Plog, JoAnne Nielsen, Linda Glantz, Denice Lueke, Albert Rhea and Marilyn Beig. To form this committee, I just asked a few friends to help me, and as others had to leave the committee over the years, was able to find replacements. We all get along well, and all pitch in wherever needed. The committee shows up for registration day, and help take in the art, write everything into the registration book, take in the entry money, and then we hang the art. After the judging I put up the nicer title cards. The committee brings in the reception food and drink and keep it all stocked during the reception. Take down requires just one person to be there and check people off as their pieces are taken down. We usually think of at least one themed show per year, usually for the Hot Shops venue. Various members of the committee and the membership give me ideas for themes, and I usually pick one out of those suggested.

President's Message for January

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

Hello, New Year 2019 and Omaha Artists Inc!!! Did you know 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February? What artist resolutions did you decide upon for this new year? It does not have to be January 1st to begin afresh or even to decide upon a change! What can we as artists do to improve our creativity?

We have 12 months to work on our goals and resolutions – allow me to guide you in some choices to get inspired: Learn something new by reading a book or magazine, visiting art galleries or show. Get organized – clean your studio or art space. Set a Create Day each week – take time for you! Do you want to learn a new technique or try a different medium? Then, check out the list of Fun Shops this year to learn that new experience or attend a luncheon meeting hearing a speaker tell you about their lives, creations and dreams!

Did you know that learning something new can make one happier and healthier? Please note the scholarships offered by Omaha Artists Inc: this is an opportunity to learn, to fulfill a resolution of health and happiness as well as creating art. I encourage you to complete and submit the scholarship applications to be considered a recipient!

Katie Johnson
Omaha Artists Inc. President

“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.” --- Joey Adams

January Lunch and Program

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Board Meeting at 11:00
Luncheon and General Meeting at 12:00

Charlie's on the Lake
4150 South 144th Street – Back room by patio.

Lunch will be ordered from the menu.

RVSP by Monday, January 21, in order for us to advise the restaurant. If you miss the deadline you may still attend . If coming for program only, make your 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.

Program

Do 3-D artists think differently than two-dimensional artists as they create?

What would life be like to be “totally immersed” in creating art from wood 24/7?

How can an artist carve (pun intended) out a living by working only with wood?

If any of these questions resonate or tweak the curiousity of you or someone you know then invite a friend and come listen to Dan Klima from The Wood Products Company. Dan will share his creative wood working journey. This brief, fascinating presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

Give yourself a New Year’s gift by attending this entertaining, engaging artist’s presentation inspiring you to follow your own artistic dreams.

Fun Shop: Pet Portraits with Linda Jones

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Category: Fun Shops

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

Wednesday, January 16th, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Master, 2617 So. 114th Street.
Members - $4.00 /non-members - $5.00

Please join us with OAI member Linda Jones for a fun and interesting class on "Pet Portraits." 

Bring photos of pets to illustrate so that medium and size can be decided as class progresses. Linda will have several examples of past illustrations done as commissions on hand. In addition, she has uploaded portraits to her gallery page so you can preview her work there now. 

Demonstration on drawing a foundation for a pet portrait will be key for this class. Therefore sketch paper and pencil and eraser to obtain that perfect pose. Some tricks on approving the pose and illustration will be shared as well. If possible, bring a mirror and media tablet. If you don’t have those tools she will share. 

Work in any medium you feel comfortable with to finalize the sketch of your pet. Linda is comfortable with pastels and have discovered Pastel Mat and Sanded Pastel Paper work well. Although inexpensive pastel paper is fine for sketches. Watercolor is a viable medium even for furry pets. Acrylic or oil both work well for illustration too. Bring what materials you need and an easel to work on. 

Check list of materials: 

• Pet photos 
• Sketch paper, pencils and eraser 
• Medium materials for final illustration 
• Easel 

FYI and BTW

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

Art Bridge

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

On December 12th our lesson was making Christmas wreaths. Fun was had by all. We also provided a small bag of candy, crayons and coloring sheets to the ESL students and their teachers. Classes start at 9:00 am at Augustana Lutheran Church, 3647 Lafayette Ave, usually the second Wednesday of the month during the OPS school year. January lessons we are working with markers.

Courtesy and Membership Notes

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

Handmade cards were sent to the following:

New Members – Mary Oltsman, Constance Stilwell, Belinda Dworak, Karen Jensen, Doris Helfrick and Mary Buckmiller
Get Well – LaVonne Trip and Linda Glantz

Notes of Appreciation:

Thanks so much to you and the group of Omaha Artists for the get-well card I received in regards to my husband's health. – Cecil Hiebner

Welcome New Members

See the members roster or emailed newsletter for contact information. Online roster requires a user name and password.

• Bob Koser
• Mary Buckmiller
• Diana Tweedy
• Mary Oltsman
• Doris Helfrich
• Karen Jensen
• Constance Stilwell
• Belinda Dworak

Correction to roster: Kim Sosin's phone number – please see the January 2019 issue.

Art Show News

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

Chillin' Winter Art Show

Jewish Community Center, 333 South 132nd Street.

Registration: Friday, February 1, 11 am - 1 pm
Reception: Sunday, February 10, 2 - 4 pm
Take down: Thursday, February 28, 11 am -1 pm

No theme. $15 for up to 3 entries, depending on size.

The Center takes a 25% commission, so please price your entries to reflect this.

Spring Art Show

Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas Street

Theme is "Childhood Summers". Along with your entry, you must also write a short explanation of your "Childhood Memory" 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

Read more ...

ANAC Dues Needed by February 27

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jan 6, 2019

ANAC membership Dues must be paid by February 27 to qualify for entry in the ANAC 2019 Art Show in Albion, NE. June 19 - 22, 2019.

Make check for $12.00 payable to Omaha Artist, Inc. (Postmark before FEBRUARY 26)

Send to: Jo Anne Nielsen 7335 Shadow Lake Plaza #312 Papillion, NE 68046

Members listed below have already paid for the 2019 ANAC year. So if you are not sure if you have joined, please see list below to see if you are listed. March will have all the information about the selection show in the newsletter.

Any questions please contact: Jo Anne Nielsen 402-250-6464.

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