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!
Kelli Sweet is the organizer of the annual Hibernate and Create Retreat. This is the 6th year for the event, and after a few ‘building back’ years after Covid, this retreat was a sell-out! The three-day event hosted 135 attendees for 29 classes with 18 instructors.
Rowena Bennett launched Queerarchy in Studio 321. The mission is to design unique items “as powerful symbols that inspire happiness so the queer community can live their lives freely without fear or shame.” Visitors can find T-shirts, tote bags and Rowena’s self-published book, “Pinapel & Friends,” a book with characters that show inclusion, representation and how to open up conversations in non-confrontational ways. OWH feature >
The new signature piece of art in the Merryman Performing Arts Center in Kearney, NE was created by Les Bruning with assistance from Jon Bleicher, Alan Austin and Jack Gatzemeyer. “Tumbleweed Symphony” could be seen in progress at the Hot Shops for the last several months and is now hanging in the grand lobby of the Kearney venue. News story >
