The Lutheran Church of the Master advised the family center, our meeting room is still under construction. Therefore, coupled with the COVID restrictions and the unavailability of the area of the church, we will not be enjoying a Fun Shop in June. We will begin our art season in September as planned. Any questions, concerns or instructor ideas or volunteers, please contact Chairperson Shirley Schmidt.
Lauritzen Gardens is opening on June 1 to "walk through the grounds only" – no indoor stuff. I am waiting to hear from Jennifer Evans, who is in charge of art shows to find out if they have any idea for when art shows might be able to go up inside. They may not know yet, and may decide late in the month of June.
So for now – I don't know if we will be able to hang our show at Lauritzen or not. At any rate – I will send out a notice in early July to let you know the status of it – whether yes or no, and if yes, then how we might do the registration to keep people at a distance.
In the meantime, keep painting! This show at the Gardens needs to have nature as its focus, in some way, shape or form. And there are so many subjects right now to paint – so many flowers and green landscapes!
If things return to normal, the next show after that would be in October in Fremont at Gallery 92, with the theme that would have been for our cancelled Spring Show at Hot Shops, which was "Shadows".
Sharon Clawson
Art Shows Chair
During these times of isolation, it is more difficult when we lose loved ones – the inability to hug and be with each other is disappointing.
Barbara Louise Mitchell, a longtime member of Omaha Artists Inc. and a well-known artist, entered into the loving arms of her Savior on April 17, 2020. She was preceded in death by parents, Lydia & Daniel Meyer and husband Marion D Mitchell. She is survived by her children, Jim Mitchell, Dan (Kathie) Mitchell, Patricia (Roger) Kirkpatrick, Rob (Sara) Mitchell, nine grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Aside from her family, Barbara’s great joys were her church family, her PEO sisters, Omaha Artists Inc friends, and Extension gals. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at a later date (to be announced) and she will be interred in her beloved mountains.
Barbara Mitchell
Barbara's Omaha Artists Inc. friends were a great joy in her life. She wanted memorial donations to go towards making a watercolor workshop possible for her Omaha Artists Inc. friends. Donations for this purpose can be sent to Jo Anne Nielsen, OAI treasurer, in the name of the Barbara Mitchell Art Memorial. Barbara was a joy in our lives: we greatly miss her.
Please make checks out to OAI.
Barbara Mitchell Art Workshop Memorial
% Jo Anne Nielsen, OAI-Treasurer
7335 Shadow Lake Plaza #312
Papillion, NE 68046
Final Summer Luncheon for the art season
Weds. June 24, 2020 12:00pm
Board meeting 11:00
Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewing
17111 South 138th St Springfield, Ne.
Directions to Soaring Wings: From I-80, Exit 440 (NE 50/144th St) South on Hwy 56 for 6.14 miles. Then left on Pflug Road for .5 miles. Take 1st right on South 138th St., .61 miles, Soaring Wings is on the left, 17111 S. 138th St. Springfield, NE 68059.
As all of you already know, the Conference for 2020 has been cancelled. ANAC will hold the next Confer-ence, still in Fremont, June 9-12, 2021. Should you have any questions, please contact one of the ANAC chairpersons.
We were honored to be featured in the ANAC Spring 2020 Newsletter – see below Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Spotlight Article. Photo was included.
Omaha Artists Inc was organized in February, 1946 with 30 members. Our membership of 150+ is com-posed of artists ranging from professionals to hobbyists. In October, 2021 we are hosting an evening of celebration in honor of our 75-year-anniversary. Our Gala will include dinner, entertainment, silent auction, vendor booths and more…truly an event to remember. We are helping to fund this celebration by creating a captivating cookbook filled with pages of our favorite recipes and spectacular art!
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. Membership yearly dues are only $22.00! Volunteer positions on our board offer a better chance to make friends, find purpose and do for others – a rewarding experience. Members can show and sell their art at our own art shows (3 regularly scheduled shows each year). All shows (except special club shows) have ribbons, and monetary awards or prizes. Yearly scholarships are offered for members to continue to learn, improve and continue an education in art.
Fun Shops with highly qualified instructors teaching these workshops are held 9 months yearly. The cost to learn is only $4 for members and $5 non-members! Our Board Meetings-General Meetings include an art-related program presentation: these luncheon meetings also are held 9 months out of the year. OAI does not meet in July, August or December! Our Fun Shop is held at a local church family center and the luncheons are held at various restaurants in the Omaha area! We meet one month out of the year at the Joslyn Art Museum for an exhibition tour, lunch and our board/general meeting!
Being a member of OAI, one may join ANAC, the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs: 74 of our members are also members of ANAC! It is a learning and rewarding experience to become acquainted with other art clubs. The organization of art clubs promotes positivity and opportunities for personal growth and lasting friendships while connecting with those of like mind and passion. Each spring (usually April), an ANAC Selection Show is held in order to have artwork sent to the annual state show. An art judge is hired by our ANAC Committee and paid $50 for the judging competition. Our quota this year was 28 art pieces chosen to be sent to the state convention and show. Our signature members are Sara Wamsat and Marilyn Evelo Hansen.
When asked what has been our most successful meeting, it was a difficult question to answer as all our meetings are successful! Our board meeting agendas include input by each committee-chairpersons-board members and as a result, this organization makes things happen!
Example: in the last couple years, we have created/painted small paintings coupled with easels (donated from a local auction company). These 340+ paintings and easels were packaged and placed on the food trays of Meals on Wheels at Christmastime through the Eastern Office on Aging. We painted nearly 300 ornaments (donated by the same benefactor) and decorated a donated Christmas Tree for the Tangier Shriner’s Feztival of Trees (member donated items included gift certificates. Lionel Train, lights and ribbon). Monies from this endeavor helped children and their families financially and other like projects in the Omaha area. At one meeting, we voted to donate $500 to a chosen flood victim; The Platte Valley Art Center, originally built by Author Roger Welsch in Dannebrog. Each year, we gather to create greeting cards (sympathy, get well, congratulations) by the member artists. These are sent throughout the year to members who need encouragement. OAI has a website which provides information for members and the public regarding the benefits, events, and programs of our group. The site exposes members’ artwork to the public through personal gallery pages and by highlighting winning show entries. A monthly newsletter is sent to all members – excluding July and August.
…and that’s not all!
Two philanthropic projects of OAI, since 2002, are our Community Art Reach and Art Bridge – 9 months each year!
Community Art Reach: Art supplies and monies are collected by the membership each year at the November meeting and delivered to the Child Life Services of Nebraska Medicine.
Art Bridge: teaches English as a Second Language-introducing art basics, teaching approximately 40 adult students from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
It has been an honor sharing ‘our story’ with the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity.
Katie Johnson-President and Jo Anne Nielsen-Treasurer and ANAC Chairperson
Omaha Artists Inc… where friendships begin and last a lifetime!
Congratulations to our scholarship winners and a thank you to everyone who applied. Scholarship Certificates and monies will be presented at the Soaring Wings Meeting, June 24th – see meeting details shown in this newsletter!
We are pleased to announce the Omaha Memorial Inc Scholarship went to Cassie Hubbs. After completing or attending her choice of workshop, Cassie will teach a Fun Shop next year as required.
The Genie Schafer Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Linda Guynn and to Joleen Rasmussen.
We appreciate the Genie Schafer family for providing the Genie Schafer Scholarships each year in her memory. We look forward to hearing about their learning experiences!
Thank you, Linda Bernett-OAI Advisor, Bill Bernett, Sherry Reese and Jo Anne Nielsen for being our 2019-2020 Judges.
Time to renew your membership for 2020-2021 online or by postal mail. 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.
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!
Deadline for all recipes is September 1, 2020. Learn more.
Tell us about you.
I was born in Hastings, NE and was in the same nursery as Dr. Jack Stark who is a Nebraska Board of Regents Candidate! I have lived in the Omaha area since I was 6 years old. Most of my schooling was at Franklin Elementary and then Jr. and Sr. High at Tech High School, (now the TAC Building). I have 2 children, Steve 55 and Lori made it to 50 (deceased 2019) and I have 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons.
Tell us about your history with Omaha Artists, Inc.
I have been in Omaha Artists, Inc. since 1992. In 1994 right after my 3rd grandchild died of SIDS, Helen Patane asked me if I would like to be on the Hostess Committee, my response was an immediate yes! Judy Webster, Binck Utterback and I worked on this committee until 1997. Then I was on Membership for only a year because then I became the President for 2 terms. In 2000, I went back to being on the Membership Committee (I loved it). I didn’t think I was doing enough for the club so in 2001, I went on the ANAC Committee with Dick Brown. Once again in 2002, I didn’t think I was doing enough to keep out of trouble, so along with everything else, I took on the newsletter. In 2011, I became the Treasurer and I am still doing it! I have also assisted with the Art Shows and as Vice President published the roster (matter of fact several times). Someone asked why I have worked on so many committees. While never having won an art show award, I love this organization and want it to succeed and make it a great experience for others.
How did you get involved in art?
Funny story, after being so busy with my daughter’s wedding plans in 1990, I suddenly wondered what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I started a watercolor class with Opal Parmenter and did not have a clue what I was doing, but stuck with it. Watercolor is still my favorite medium.
What other organizations do you belong?
Presently, I belong to 2 book clubs. I am an Elder at my church and in charge of the Fellowship Committee. Back in 1995, my daughter Lori and I turned a negative into a positive by working with the Nebraska SIDS Foundation: we published a cookbook – three cookbooks to be exact! I have been a member of ANAC (Association of Nebraska Art Clubs) for 21 years, was the Newsletter Chair for 12 years and presently the ANAC Registrar!
What is a little-known fact about you?
I am a Beauty School Drop-Out. I got pregnant while in beauty school and could not handle the smells of hair color and permanent solution! I have been so busy in my life, a paying position was not an option. I guess I would rather do without and do for others instead.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My absolute favorite is watching television (reality, drama, movies, sitcoms, documentaries, just about everything). I also like to read, put puzzles together and time spent with friends. After 96 hours of watching Homeland, perhaps this was not the right time to ask this question, because I obviously have Covid-Brain! LOL!
What are your travel experiences?
I was very fortunate, while married, my ex and I loved to travel. There are only 4 states that I have not visited – West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC. We camped in much of the United States. I have traveled to 9 different countries in Europe and have taken 4 cruises.
How do you stay motivated to paint?
This is a difficult question to answer! I love to paint but I have to be in the MOOD and I do have good intentions, then something else comes up! I love workshops. Katie Johnson and I went to David Smith’s watercolor workshop in Sioux Falls, SD just before the Coronavirus began. Also the Omaha Artists Inc. members motivate me... I simply LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them.
What are you known for?
I guess, my RED HAIR and WALKER. And I am the only member that can speak REALLY LOUD to get people’s attention!
What skills would you like to learn?
I would like to attend an acrylic workshop. I have painted with acrylics, but have never been properly trained.
Has anything or anyone changed your life?
Yes, life’s experiences are valuable lessons. I have worked very hard to make my life what it is today.
What is your favorite quote or saying?
I hate it but, use it often – “It is, what it is”!
We have an open position to be filled —luncheon hostess! The hostess positions have been handled beautifully for several years by Patti Kounkel and Carol McCall. Linda Guynn has graciously accepted the position previously held by Carol. Now, we ask for one more volunteer to fill the position being vacated by Patti! If you wish to know what you can do to help, please contact either Patti Kounkel or Carol McCall and they will answer any questions you might have and help you with your first couple luncheons should you need. This is a great way to get to know the members – a rewarding experience! We thank you!