By Anaam Alruwaidhi, Reporter
Omaha Artists Inc. is celebrating the 75-year anniversary of its beginning. A recent celebratory event included vendors selling various items of interest and a silent auction which featured items donated by numerous businesses in the Omaha area.
The organization is turning back to in-person events after having Zoom meetings and virtual art shows during the pandemic. The gala had artist timeline displays of how the architecture of homes and clothing fashion have evolved in Omaha.
The event also brought back a parade of Omaha Artists Inc. past presidents from 1946 to 2021 and featured entertainment and music for artists.
The organization supports artists in many different ways, said marketing and publicity manager Katie Johnson. One way is offering the artists scholarships every year to help them afford to take art classes with their interests, whether they choose to take the classes in Nebraska or another state.
Giving back to the community through several philanthropic activities and supporting educational and charitable activities is an important element to members of Omaha Artists Inc. Another outreach program in the organization is a committee that teaches art to adult students from Africa, the Middle East and Asia gives art supplies to Child Life Services at Nebraska Medicine.
All the members of the organization are creative artists who volunteered in their positions.
“Omaha Artists Inc. was organized to promote the appreciation and development of fine art in and around the Omaha Metro area. Membership is composed of active artists ranging from successful professionals to hobbyists,” Johnson said.
Many of the artists give donations to organizations fighting against child abuse and domestic violence from the money they make from their art.
“Something that we could do to give back to the community, even though we are a non-profit organization, we like to do for others,” Johnson said.
Omaha artists attended the event to celebrate and sell their artworks to the attendants. Judy Freeland, an artist with Omaha Artists Inc., explained how being a member in the Inc helped her to achieve her dreams. She said gaining friends was the most important thing.
“Friends, lots of friends, had similar interests, and art is a wonderful stress reliever,” Freeland said.
Artist Judy Freeland was displaying her artworks during the event. The artists are excited for the upcoming in-person art shows to present their latest artworks. They are hoping to do more for the community and be able to help others.
