Our concentration of 90 artists at the Hot Shops has forged a truly unique arts organization, and the work they do enhances the vibrant arts community in Greater Omaha. Check out the impact some of our resident artists have been making recently!
James Hermsen, a 3D designer and inventor recently traveled to Mexico with Dr. Donny Suh, Professor and Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Gavin Herbert Eye Institute University California Irvine. The Newport Beach and Ensenada Rotary Clubs host a dental and vision clinic in Ensenada every July. The Dean of Public Health and medical students from UCI also joined the team to give free eye exams and glasses.
James and Dr Donny Suh are co-inventors of Omni Glasses (glasses for all) universal eyewear. The open source 3-D printable glasses are a completely adjustable one size fits all. The lenses can be rotated to correct astigmatism. Their mission is to make vision more affordable and accessible for children in need worldwide
James donated his time and glasses and enjoyed being in the field fitting glasses for the patients.
Lori Elliott-Bartle was the featured speaker for July’s Creative Community Conservation Artist Speaker Series. She spoke about her art, her gardens and portraying a sense of place. Lori is an artist who grew up in the prairie. Her work aims to emphasize the parts of the prairie which spoke to her, and emulate the feelings of awe which drew her back to The Great Plains. Her work is currently featured in the Creative Community Conservation Exhibit in the Osborne Gallery within UNO’s Criss Library.
Ang Bennett and new resident artist, Sheree Le’Shawn’s exhibit, ‘Body Defiance’ is on display at the Amplify Arts Generator Space, 1804 Vinton St, Omaha, NE 68108, through August 18.
Both Ang and Sheree were assigned female at birth (AFAB). They document their shared experiences as Black, AFAB people asserting bodily autonomy outside the binary. Their collaborative photo and video work traces the daily ritual of enacting gender, and its multiplicities, in the repressive and often hostile political landscape of the Midwest.
Ang was also featured in an Omaha World-Herald article regarding the fear and concerns LGBTQ+ Nebraskans have.
• Exhibition Dates: July 14th – August 18th, 2023
• Screening: August 11th; 7pm – 8pm
• Regular Gallery Hours: Thursdays and Fridays; 1pm – 5pm by appointment