As an artist, I am a problem solver and am interested in finding solutions to the problems of the world I live in. My artwork focuses on the ongoing and worsening drought in the Great Plains of Nebraska. I was born and raised on a farm and ranch in rural Nebraska and still feel a profound responsibility towards it. The objects that I create are inspired by my research of Kingsley Dam at Lake McConaughy inOgallala, Nebraska.-- Jess Benjamin
Debra Winger Repertory Series at Film Streams
Ruth Sokolof Theater | 1340 Webster Street | Through October 1st
From her stunning breakthrough in 1980's Urban Cowboy, Debra Winger has long been acknowledged as one of the finest actresses in contemporary cinema, with more than twenty films and three Oscar nominations to her credit. Film Streams is incredibly honored to have her as their special guest for Feature 2009 (info below) and for her help in curating this special series featuring eight of her own films and two more than inspired her as an artist. For more information, please visit http://www.filmstreams.org.
First Thursday Art Talk
The Bemis | 724 South 12th Street | September 3rd | 7pm
Please join artists-in-residence Christine Gray and Hong Seon Jang for the First Thursday ArtTalk on September 3rd at 7pm. For more information, please visit http://www.bemiscenter.org.
"Etcetra and So On" | Works by Karen Schnepf
The Dundee Gallery | 4916 Underwood Avenue | September 4th through 20th
Karen Schnepf’s art creates something refreshingly unexpected with unusual elements and an array of colors. It is simplistic, always abstract, and wildly vivid. Schnepf invokes bold strokes and expressive color into her artwork using acrylics, oil crayons, colored and graphite pencil.
Opening Reception on Friday, September 4th from 6pm to 9pm. For more information, please visit http://www.dundeegallery.com.
"Volumina" | Recent Drawings and Prints by Karen Kunc
TugBoat Gallery | 116 North 14th Street in Lincoln | September 4th through September 30th
"These new images and formats provoke the threshold of visual sensory flow across “pages” of exaggerated length, and in the literal accumulation of paper, referencing the history of manuscripts and scrolls, telling stories of places, time and relationships." Karen Kunc. Opening Reception on Friday, September 4th from 7pm to 10pm. For more information, please visit http://www.tugboatgallery.com
Dam | Recent Works by Jess Benjamin
Fred Simon Gallery | 1004 Farnam Street | August 31st through October 9th
Opening Reception on Friday, September 4th from 5pm to 7pm. For more information, please contact Jess Benjamin at jessbenji@yahoo.com.
"Observations at a Distance" | Sculptures by C. Daniel Newberry
Jackson Artworks | 1108 Jackson Street | September 5th through the 27th
Just over two years ago Dan Newberry lost most of his artwork when the roof collapsed into his studio at Jackson Artworks -- his artwork and studio were beyond repair. This month, he is getting ready for the first solo exhibition of his sculptural works. Newberry’s work relates to the humanness and similarity that man/womankind share throughout many cultures. His work has intention which in turn makes us give it attention. His inspiration comes from many sources including the sociological and philosophical ways in which we view and use the object. Technically, Newberry is an expert in his craft which shows in his inventiveness and style and for more than a decade has continued to refine.
Opening Reception on Saturday, September 5th from 6pm to 9pm. For more information, please call (402) 341-1832.
"Labor/Labour"
The Hot Shops | 13th and Nicholas Streets | Saturday, September 5th starting at 7pm
The annual group art exhibit at the Hot Shops, featuring new works form Mike Scheef, Derek Courtney, Kim Reid-Kuhn, Joel Holm, and dozens of other local and national artists. The Opening reception at The Hots Shops runs from 7pm to 10pm and is free. After-Party at the Slowdown, featuring Awake and Breathing, Reneé Ledesma Hoover, Guns of Belmont, and Bloodocow! starting at 9pm, $5 at the door. For more information, please write to eggman316@yahoo.com.
Fashion & Art Show
Bancroft Street Market | 2702 South 10th Street | Saturday, September 5th from 7pm to 10pm
Fashion & Art Show with designs by Dan Richters, William Torres, Jennie Mason and Claire Landolt. Also featuring art by Eric Wilson and video by Dan Lowe. For more information, please visit http://www.bancroftstreetmarket.com.
Old Market Gallery Crawl
Various locations | The Old Market | Wednesday, September 9th from 5pm to 8pm
For a map of this month's participating galleries, please click here: http://www.jLofts.com
Refresh: An Auction of Works by the Friends of Kent Bellows
The Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street | Thursday, September 10th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
In celebration of artist Kent Bellows' legacy, his talented friends have come together to donate incredible work in support of arts education through The Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts. Bid on and take home original art and enjoy yourself with good food and music, all for a great cause.
Silent Auction from 6:30-8:00pm | Live Auction & Music starts at 8pm. Please RSVP at rsvp@kentbellows.org. Visit http://www.kentbellows.org/refresh for more information about the event and images of the artwork.
Michael Campbell Book Release Party
Healing Arts Center | 1216 Howard Street | Thursday, September 10th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Michael Campbell is a regular humor columnist for Food & Spirits Magazine, where his “Dumpster” essays close every issue. For fifteen years he has written for nationally-distributed entertainment newsletters Coffee Break and Facts of Life, and his off-beat observations have appeared in various issues of Reader’s Digest. He has published fifty-eight humor essays in his new book, Are You Going To Eat That? The event will include paintings by Wayne Brekke and a mask display by Angela Balderston, and slam poet Katie F-S will give a performance of her own. Enjoy locally written music by Vern Kathol, and the debut of Korey Anderson's new band, which includes Campbell as well. For more information, please visit click here.
"Too Much Information" | Work by Watie White
RNG Gallery | 1915 Leavenworth Street | September 12 through October 11
Watie White is an artist living and working in Omaha, NE. Watie is currently the Director of the Omaha Print Makers Guild, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the fine art of printmaking and provides a collaborative environment for both educational and exhibition opportunities to local and national artists. He also teaches drawing at University of Nebraska. Before moving to Omaha, NE in 2006, Watie was integrally involved in the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, as well as an adjunct faculty member of DePaul University in Chicago, IL.
Artist's Reception on Saturday, September 12th from 7pm to 10pm. For more information, please contact Rob Gilmer at robertngilmer@yahoo.com
Film Stream's Feature 2009
Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street | Sunday, September 13th
Join Film Streams for the second annual celebration in support of the Ruth Sokolof Theater! Academy Award-winning director and Film Streams Board Member Alexander Payne will share the concert-hall stage with our very special guest Debra Winger for a conversation about her filmmaking career and select clips from her movies. Immediately following will be a post-party with drinks, h’or dourves, and music by Clark and Jacob from The Faint, Depressed Buttons, and Goo. For more information and/or ticket purchase, please visit http://www.filmstreams.org.
Omaha Fashion Week
Nomad Lounge | 10th and Jones Streets | September 15th through 19th
For more information, including a full schedule of events and ticket info -- please visit http://www.omahafashionweek.com.
(downtown) omaha lit fest
Various locations | September 17th through the 19th
As a salute to this new age of frugality, tawdriness, and life-or-death thrift, the theme for the 2009 (downtown) omaha lit fest is “the sordid arts of the cheap paperback.” Contemporary writers will gather Sept. 18-19 to discuss the influence of classic pulp fiction (romance, westerns, noir, horror, etc.) on their work specifically and the literary culture in general.
To be held at Joslyn Museum, KANEKO, the W. Dale Clark Library, Nomad Lounge, Film Streams' Ruth Sokolof Theater, Aromas Coffee House and other venues, the event includes a pulp & poetry tour of the Joslyn collection, a pulp-novel-inspired art exhibit, a tribute to iconic pulp writer Jim Thompson, panel discussions on genre fiction, and other wild and wanton behavior all presented with the uppity veneer of sophistication. For more information, including a full schedule of events -- please visit http://omahalitfest.com.
loom Weaves Joslyn's Sculpture Garden
Joslyn's Sculpture Garden | 24th and Dodge Streets | Sunday, September 20th from 2pm to 11pm
loom's big annual outdoor, all day, free, all ages, socially conscious, multicultural, thank-you-for-your-support festival, marking the end of summer, is taking place on Sunday, September 20 on the east side of the Joslyn Art Museum in their newly launched sculpture garden! For more information, please contact Brent Crampton at brentcrampton@gmail.com.
The Suit Coat Show
The Dot Gallery | 413 South 12th Street | September 26th at 1pm | $15
A fashion show and auction featuring works by local artists and designers. The proceeds from the event will go to clothe the homeless in partnership with local charities. If you're an artist who would like to design a suit coat for the auction, or would like more information about the event -- please email dashthedot@gmail.com. Tickets ($15) for the event are available at various location around town ---- including PULP.
tugBoat gallery (lincoln)
bemis center for contemporary arts
phillip schrager collection of contemporary art
joslyn art museum
sheldon museum of art (lincoln)
paparazzi by appointment
dundee gallery
hot shops art center
film streams
the blue barn theatre
omaha performing arts
the waiting room lounge
the slowdown
