News

A 2019 final note from your vice-president/program chairman...

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Category: News

Published: Tue. Jun 11, 2019

Haven't we artists had a fun, productive, educational year with the Omaha Artists, Inc. luncheon programs? In March our own member/Joslyn docents led us through the exhibit of 30 African-American artists. One magnificent piece was painted by the same artist that created a Presidential portrait of Obama.

Our own past president, Katrina Swanson shared from her heart her trials with cancer and how she carried on to return to a productive, amazing artist!!!

Finally, this last month, Pat Mangarelli taught 40 of our members about the "dos" and "don'ts" of successful composition.
Please, please, please don't put off rejoining the Omaha Artists for our 2020 year. Allow yourself to learn how to inspire yourself, find your own voice/style and enjoy the fellowship of other creative souls!!!!

Have a GREAT summer everyone! Thank you for letting me serve,

Barbara Egr

Vice President and Program Chair

Art Bridge

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Category: News

Published: Tue. Jun 11, 2019

Our May lesson was weaving a "May" basket. There were 39 students who really seemed to en-joy this class. There are no classes until OPS resumes school in September. Therefore until then A big thank you to all the Art Bridge volunteers. We couldn't do it without you.

Linda Bernett

Art Bridge Chair

A Thank You

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Category: News

Published: Tue. Jun 11, 2019

My Dear Art Friends,

I thank you for all the cards, prayers, kind words, thoughtful gifts and especially the flowers with the wrapped canvas photo of Lori that you have given me. This is a very difficult time not knowing " why" and I am looking forward to my "New Normal"! I cannot believe how blessed I am to be surrounded by such wonderful and amazing friends.

Again, I thank you, with love,

Jo Anne Nielsen

Art Show News

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Category: Art Show News

Published: Tue. Jun 11, 2019

We had one sale at the Hot Shops Art Show. Vickey Timperley sold her small painted box – titled Tree House. Congrats to you!!

Fall Art Show

Our next Omaha Artists, Inc. art show will have the theme "From Farm to Kitchen". We are planning on compiling a cookbook with recipes from our members and with artwork from some of the entries in this show as a fundraiser. So the subject matter runs the gamut from fields of wheat, farm animals, prepared food on a plate, kitchen scenes, garden scenes, etc. It will be held at the Leavenworth La Casa. Here are the dates:

Registration: Monday, November 6, 11 - 1pm
Reception: Monday, November 13, 5 - 7 pm
Take Down: Monday, January 6, 2020, 11-1

Call me if you have any questions. Sharon at 402-672-7536

Garage Sale – July 24th

The garage sale in July will have a number of art books, a wooden table easel, wooden frames, never used gold metal frames of various sizes, canvases, paints, palettes, pastel papers, art binders, pens, markers, col-ored pencils, drawing and painting pads, - a PLETHORA of art supplies that come from the home of Joy and Roy Long. Their family has donated all of these art supplies to OAI, so they will be for sale at the garage sale, and proceeds will go to OAI.

Roy made for Joy a wooden portable box with an upper compartment and three drawers that have compartments in them. Perfect for pastels, or for paints. A photo is provided of this item.

The July 24th Garage Sale (July 24th in conjunction with the Christmas in July Event) will have a number of art books, a wooden table easel, wooden frames, never used gold metal frames of various sizes, canvases, paints, palettes, pastel papers, art binders, pens, markers, colored pencils, drawing and painting pads, – a PLETHORA of art supplies that come from the home of Joy and Roy Long.

May Board Meeting Notes

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Category: Board Meeting Notes

Published: Mon. Jun 10, 2019

Omaha Artist Inc. General Meeting Minutes May 22,2019 at Charlie's on the Lake, Omaha, NE. Meeting called to order by President Katie Johnson. New Members and guests welcomed.  Secretary Judy Freeland general meeting notes approved as written.

Treasurer's report by JoAnne Nielsen, $3,360.15

ANAC: Albion, NE Conference, June 19-22. JoAnne Nielsen will pick up art at Soaring Wings meeting, June 12. $15 fee and properly packaged with artist ID. Pick up date, June 24, 11:00 am at Lutheran Church of The Master.

Art Shows: Sharon Clawson reminds us Hot Shops pick up is Tuesday May 28, 11-1. "Farm to Kitchen" is the theme of the La Casa November show.

Community Art Bridge: No report, Linda Bernett absent

Community Art Reach: Nothing to report, Sara Wamsat absent

Courtesy: Barb Mathewson reported 3 new members.

Fun Shop: Shirley Schmidt reported 21 in attendance for Poa Poa Ng class on pointillism. Neva Cozine is co-chair. Nancy Ralston is moving. Future Fun Shops announced in newsletter. Next year 2019-20 all months are filled.

Host/Hostess: Patti Kounkel and Carol McCall arranged Soaring Wings Winery to host our June 12 meeting. Board meeting 11:30. Potluck lunch at 12:30 with General meeting to follow.

Membership: JoAnne Nielsen reported 164 members. July 1 is the deadline to get membership and dues ($22) paid. ANAC dues are $34.

Programs: Barbara Egr has been working on program schedule for 2019-20 .

Publicity: Nia Karmann, new co-chair working on OAI presence in Omaha and surrounding small towns/communities.

Unfinished Business: Dick Brown presented the newly constructed By Laws and Constitution. Unanimous vote to approve.
Scholarship presented to Margaret (Peg) Watkins.

New Business: A group email will come from Katie Johnson in July explaining our "Christmas In July".  July 24 at Lutheran Church of The Master when we will paint ornaments donated by Carl Monico. Event will include garage sale and free lunch. Sharon Clawson will share information of garage sale items donated by the Roy and Joy Long family – details of this event in the June Newsletter.

Board members for 2019-2020 to retain were voted upon and approved:

• Katie Johnson-President
• Barbara Egr-Vice President
• Judy Freeland-Secretary
• Jo Anne Nielsen-Treasurer

Installation of Officers in June.

Motion to adjourn: Dick Brown. Motion 2nd: Carol Coppi

Meeting adjourned.

ANAC Selection Show Winners: Drop Off and Pick Up Dates

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jun 9, 2019

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. 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. Please put art in a carrier (Something light weight like plastic bag) and marked on the outside with your ID so that art and carrier are easily reunited at the conclusion of ANAC. Please remember that any art piece MUST have plexiglass instead of glass. Except for pastels.

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
• Linda Jones 402-613-0966
• Karen Lastovica 402-498-6423

ANAC (Association of Nebraska Art Clubs) www.nebraskaartclubs.org

Recipients/Winners of the 2019 Scholarships:

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Category: News

Published: Sun. Jun 9, 2019

Omaha Artists Inc Memorial Scholarship – Sherry Reese

I am so happy to be a part of Omaha Artists, Inc.! First, I would like to thank OAI for believing in me and awarding me the OAI Memorial Scholarship for 2019. It is helping me to continue my vision of being "a pas-sionate artist currently pursuing a feast for the eyes" thru acrylic painting and mixed media. It is a good thing to continue to learn and excel - this will be happening for me by attending a 5-day painting workshop with Robert Burridge in Dillman's Bay, WI at one of their Creative Art Workshops. The workshop is called "Loosening Up With Aquamedia". As an artist and former art teacher 30+ years, I look forward to coming home, using these new methods and sharing them with all of you! We will be doing a Fun Shop Class in May 2020. So mark your calendars and stay as excited as me!

I joined OAI in November 2018. I was looking for a group of artists to share thoughts and ideas with about art, a variety of experience, skills and ages, and to "hang out" a few times a month. This group certainly surpassed my expectations with their warm and welcoming attitude, friendliness and adventures in art!

At Auburn University (back in the 70's) and through my years of teaching, I've tried just about everything in art. I love learning. My main focus for years was drawing with ink and colored pencils from a 4 x 5 in. all the way up to a 16 x 20. I started concentrating on abstract acrylic painting, collage and mixed media after my bout with colon cancer in 2009. After retiring in 2015, I've had more time to paint and enjoy my life as an artist. It is a pleasure for me to be a part of this group and I hope to keep learning and excelling along with all of you.

***On a side note, Shirley Schmidt, Fun Shop Chair has reported that Sherry Reese has already signed up to be an instructor in the lineup of next year's Fun Shop Schedule, Thank you, Sherry

Genie Schafer Art Memorial Scholarship – Linda Jones

I really appreciate the Genie Schafer Art Memorial Scholarship and plan on utilizing local instructors to enhance my knowledge and skills. Currently I've taken two workshops with Becky Kinloch on pastels and plan to continue with her for watercolor tutorials.

I've been an artist all my life and was a skilled typesetter and print production manager. Even was tabletop stripper at a print shop to earn my way through college. Done working now and want to draw and paint what I want, when I want.

My medium is pastel and watercolor but have done oil or alcohol ink to change up and mess with my brain cells.

It is wonderful to see our club invest back to their members so they can pursue their dreams.

Genie Schafer Art Memorial Scholarship – Margaret (Peg) Watkins

First off, thank you and OAI for affording me this wonderful opportunity. I plan to put the award towards the USB Cold Wax Class offered by Rebecca Crowell & Jerry McLaughlin. It is a 5 hour, 29 part video that included all the demos, techniques, and topics that they present in their 5 day workshop. I purchased their wonderful book a year ago and loved every page. It has wonderful information & photos. I learned about them from Diane Lounsberry Williams from whom I have taken numerous classes.

I joined OAI in the Spring of 2017. I have been a glass artist since about 2005, and a potter since 1975. After working 30 years for the City of Omaha Recreation Department I was finally able to retire and devote my time to my art. In about 2018 I started painting again, hadn't done that since college! Working with some great teachers and being encouraged by some great friends and customers I now spend most of my time painting. I started with abstract acrylics, and have been exploring cold wax/oil since about 2015.

Once again thank you for encouraging me to keep exploring, to have the opportunity & confidence to display my work, and to met new creative friends.

Spotlight Member Section featuring Shirley Schmidt

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Category: Spotlighted Members

Published: Sun. Jun 9, 2019

Q: Tell us about you?

A: I have been a life-long Omaha resident and attended South High School, graduating in a class of over 800 students. I married my high school sweetheart, Ron: we have been married almost 53 years. We have two children, our daughter, Andrea and our son, Ryan. Our daughter has a blended family of five children and our son is single. Luckily, they all reside in Omaha, so we are very fortunate to be able to spoil our grandchildren and watch them grow.

Q: Tell us about your OAI History

A: I've worked for several businesses and retired as a technical writer at a company that conducted marketing research for nationwide hospitals. After retirement, and a few years of watching (spoiling) our grandchildren while my daughter worked, I returned to my interest of art. That's when I began my online search of clubs in Omaha and found Omaha Artists. I don't remember the year I joined, only that I was very reluctant to join because I've had no formal art classes. I am so glad that I did not let that deter me, as it has been such an enjoyable experience.

Q: What hobbies, sports or other interests do you enjoy? 

 A: As well as my undying passion for art, golfing, traveling and reading are other past times that fill my retirement days. I started a book club with a group of 15 friends about 12 years ago and meet on a monthly basis. We have read so many wonderful books that I would have never chosen on my own, with my two favorites being "Cutting for Stone" and "Snow Falling on Cedars". I hope to continue traveling, "arting", golfing and maintaining good health. My husband and I travel to the Florida panhandle in the winter. It is an area near Destin which is quiet, right on the ocean (a little artsy) and I am very thankful that we both still have our good health to be able do this.

Q: What do you enjoy most about Omaha Artists Inc?

A: So much of what our club offers is very fulfilling, from our monthly workshops and luncheon/speaker meetings to all of the wonderful art shows that are made available to us. It has been so interesting learning from all of the area artists that have shared their artistic talent to teach us their skill and technique.

Q: What other organizations are you a member?

A: I am involved with Assistance League of Omaha. We are an Omaha chapter of a nationwide organization consisting mostly of retired teachers. We have many philanthropic programs; our biggest one is clothing over 3,000 Omaha needy school children in the fall. I have been a member of this organization for over five years. We hold a "Christmas Caravan" activity in November to help fund all of our endeavors. Four homes are opened up and area florists decorate for Christmas and the public is invited to tour these homes. This is one of our biggest money-makers.

Q: How did you get involved in art and what medium do you enjoy most?

 A: While raising our children and before going back to work full time, I started a small stenciling business in Omaha. I sold hand-cut stencil designs to a few small craft stores in Omaha and also stenciled homes. However, this art form seemed to grow out of style and I returned to the work force. This was my first engagement to art since drawing paper dolls in my childhood with my older sister. I have a hard time deciding what art medium I enjoy the most. Experimenting with alcohol inks, acrylic, watercolor and mosaic all hold my interest. After a winter trip to Florida a few years ago and taking a class there using resin, I guess this has become my current passion. This is a process affixing frit (small ground glass), beads, paint, and other objects on glass. It has also been fun to play with powders mixed in with the resin to create ab-stract paintings.

Q: What is a little-known fact about you:

A: Ron and I lived briefly in Texas before he was deployed to Viet Nam in 1967. While in Texas I worked at Gibson Department Store. When I was working there, we received a phoned-in bomb threat. Management cleared the store of all customers…..however employees were told to look for the bomb. This was the 60's! Happily (and to my good health) a bomb was not found that day. But one exploded in another store a few months later and was found to be by a disgruntled employee. I love telling people this story,..it is a little hard to believe!!

President's Message for May

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Category: News

Published: Sat. May 11, 2019

Volunteerism empowers individuals to improve their community, to make changes, to follow their hearts and find their passion. We are just coming off National Volunteer month – a time to encourage volunteerism and to thank those who volunteer.

First, I appreciate the team members who make Omaha Artists Inc the fine organization it is…a success: I thank you the OAI Board, Chairpersons and Committees. Often these valued individuals wear many hats, helping and encouraging each other, working many hours and do so without pay or perks.

Secondly, I want to encourage our members who are not volunteers to join us in serving the community. Not only do we give back to the community with projects cheering the elderly and the sick, donating to flood victims and other activities: we have the Community Art Reach and Community Art Bridge composed of volunteers. Don't forget…as stated in our roster, Omaha Artists Inc was organized to promote the appreciation and development of fine art in and around the Omaha Metro area. What are you doing to help with this mission?

There's something special about being able to say, "I am making a difference." Are you making a difference? Can you make a difference? If you need a change in your life, enjoy making someone smile, want to lessen the load of someone else, contact a member of our board or committees. Then, you will be giving, doing and making a difference.

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others". — Audrey Hepburn

Forever thankful,
Katie Johnson
Omaha Artists Inc. President

May Lunch and Program

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Category: News

Published: Sat. May 11, 2019

Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Charlies by the Lake - 4150 South 144th Street - Lakeview Room

11:00 am Board Meeting
12:00 pm Lunch - General Meeting and Program to follow. Order from Menu

Reservation by Monday May 20th. If space is needed for the program but no meal, make your reservation as such. Contact Carol McCall 402 499-7071 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Program featuring Mr. Pat Mingarellin:

Have you ever wondered why some works of art "pop" or catch your eye at an art show? Well, May's general meeting speaker, at Charlie's on the Lake, will unlock this phenomenon's secrets. Our speaker, Pat Mingarelli, teaches adult continuing education classes at Metro and Iowa Western Community Colleges. As a participant in the field of photography for 30 years, he will focus on composition as well as the common mistakes artists make with their art!

Come for fellowship, inspiration, and basic foundational art education to strengthen your creative endeavors.

Barbara Egr

Program Chair