Please take a couple of minutes to pull out your favorite recipes to share. They are needed for OAI's fund raiser cookbook.
Deadline for all recipes is November 15, 2020. Learn more.
Linda Burnett, Committee Chairperson, reports this committee is currently on hiatus until further notice due to COVID-19.
Hot Shops Art Center will have an exhibit throughout September displaying the works of the Hot Shops Fiber Artists
Self Expressions Gallery, Nebraska City, has issued a Call for Artists. Please contact Honey Lynn Self on (402) 209-0463.
For almost 20 years, through the generous donations of our membership, Omaha Artists, Inc. has given art supplies to various groups. We continue with this worthwhile giving opportunity every November at the holiday Fun Shop.
We are no longer able to take any used supplies, and the list has changed a bit. Please consider helping us to gather items that will be appreciated and used by the Life Care patients at the Lied Transplant Center, Nebraska Medicine. If you are unable to attend or shop, monetary donations help fill in areas of need or where we are short on supplies.
Our art reach committee thanks you,
Sara Wamsat Rose Rutherford Sally Calhoun
Needed donation items:
Scissors
School glue and glue sticks
Rulers
Stencils
Games books
Small boxed games
How to art books
Adult color books
All frames/cut mats 8x10 and under
Sharon Clawson has announced the Lauritzen Gardens Art Show is canceled, since the gallery space is still not open to the public, and won’t be for some time yet. We are sorry that our shows have not happened yet this year. Hopefully you are still creating, because this virus can’t last forever!
The Fall Art Show is scheduled to be held at Gallery 92 in Fremont. They do not know how things will be by then, but that is the plan.
Dates would be:
Registration: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2-4pm
Reception: Friday, Nov. 6, 5 - 7 pm
Take Down: Sunday, Nov. 29, 2-4 pm
Theme: " Shadows"
Membership in Omaha Artists, Inc. (OAI) is a great way to broaden your creativity, learn about new art forms, make friends with other artists, and network. An annual membership of $22 provides the opportunity to display a personal gallery page on the site and to participate in several members-only art shows, monthly meetings with art-related guest speakers, and monthly Fun Shops.
Membership in the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs (ANAC) is available through OAI for a $12 annual fee. Membership in ANAC is optional, but members are able to participate in a statewide art competition, which is held in conjunction with the annual ANAC Conference. You may belong to ANAC through only one Nebraska art club. ANAC membership runs from March 2019 thru February 2020. If you would like more information about ANAC, contact any OAI-ANAC committee member or visit nebraskaartclubs.org
You may renew your membership or join for 2020-2021 online or by postal mail.
We encourage you to join and remain good and loyal members – Our membership year is September to June of the following year. Your current membership expires August 31 but, we ask that you renew by July 31 to be included in the 2020-2021 roster and be eligible to enter artwork for the fall show.
It is with great excitement that we look forward to our 75th year anniversary with a Gala Celebration in October 2021. Therefore, we are still moving forward with the Fund Raiser Cookbook. Please review the instructions of the last two newsletters. We ask for five recipes per artist. The deadline is September 1st to enter your recipes.
Katie Johnson and Jo Anne Nielsen will be working towards setting up the watercolor workshop made possible by the wishes of the late Barbara Mitchell. Barbara was a joy in our lives, a gifted watercolorist, loyal member of Omaha Artists Inc and a friend of all. At her request, a Barbara Mitchell Art Memorial has been created.
Please make memorial checks out to OAI.
Barbara Mitchell Art Workshop Memorial
% Jo Anne Nielsen, OAI-Treasurer
7335 Shadow Lake Plaza #312
Papillion, NE 68046
“Without great solitude, no serious work is possible” – Picasso
During these months of solitude, we have adjusted our normal to what some call the new normal. I saw these words in a magazine ad, “isolation is more than being alone”! While alone, we have filled our time with working on often overlooked projects, dusting, cleaning, decluttering, organizing, cooking, baking, planting and weeding… Have you felt the clock ticking as you flip the pages of your calendars and wondered why you even spent the money on a 2020 Planner? Because of the COVID19, we have been forced to have a “Staycation” where we spend zero dollars on transportation, leave our luggage in storage and have no need to even get dressed. We stay up late with no schedule while making our own entertainment of reading, talking on the phone, dancing because no one is watching, listening to music, watching movies, creating art…
We will survive this ‘time of our lives” and make the best of it.
While returning to the ‘new normal’, we must take time not only to show kindness to others but, also to be good to ourselves. Did you know exercising for just 10 minutes can release endorphins, pain-killing chemicals that help induce a state of mental and physical peace? What else can you do for you? File your nails, pluck those chin hairs, meditation/devotions, gardening, enjoy a book or work on art. We must remember to be grateful as we have much to be thankful for...so many blessings. By thinking positive, we gain happiness. We can further gain happiness and positivity by not listening to negativity which includes not allowing even self-criticism! Be good to you!
Our lives have been interrupted in part because of the pandemic and now because of the protests and unrest. Through all of this, we continue to learn how to cope. How do we get back on track? We must return to routines especially bedtime, sleep patterns and setting our alarm clocks. Before the hiatus, what was your schedule? How did you accomplish your daily tasks? How often have we been told not to live in the past? Preparing for tomorrow can be helped by remembering how we navigated our daily routine and how much time each task required. I have realized it takes me much longer now to get ready to go someplace and how long it takes to dry my hair, paint my face, find what to wear and yet remembering how to even drive! We are out of practice and finding it easy to run late… giving new meaning to the one word, ISOLATE. Now, one must apologize for being late by saying three words: I so late!
Do you remember this song sung by Bette Midler in 1990?
Some lyrics: From a Distance there is harmony. And it echoes through the land. And it's the hope of hopes. It’s the love of loves, It's the heart of every man. God is watching us.
God is watching us from a distance…
This song was written by Julie Gold. She received a special 30th birthday gift from her parents. It was the piano she had played as a child. The piano movers told her not to play it for 24 hours. Gold wanted to play it very badly but instead, hugged and polished it! The next day, she sat down at that piano and wrote the song in about 2 hours. Julie Gold said, "I only set out to write a decent song about the difference between the way things seem and the way things are."
We are longing for the good ole days – no longer living in fear, from a distance, wearing masks, and with curfews. We may not have the answers but, we can hope for a better tomorrow, pray for those in need financially, physically and emotionally…showing kindness and understanding. We can do what we Omaha Artists Inc know how to do best – Be A Friend.
Hugs from a distance…Katie Johnson, President
If we look for hate, we’ll find it. If we look for love, we’ll be overwhelmed. – Goodnews Instagram
Cards were sent to our following members.
Barbara Mathewson
Courtesy Chair