Hot Shops is the #2 Best Attraction in Douglas County!

We are honored to have received 2nd Place for Best Attraction in Douglas County from the Omaha Metro Tourism Awards!

We congratulate Omaha’ Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on their 1st place win. It’s hard to compete with the #1 Zoo in the World, but we do have some things in common. There, you can see a bunch of (sometimes filthy) animals among beautiful, natural scenery. Here, you can see a bunch of (sometimes filthy) artists among beautiful works of art.

When our artists are filthy – it means they are creating, and that is what we are all about.

The Hot Shops is a living museum and working art center – that means the artwork is often in process. When you go to the high-end museums and galleries you are only seeing the finished work. Here, you see how that work came to life. You see the artist-at-work, the tools, the sketchpad of ideas, the mistakes, the do-overs.

We are a place where ideas, dreams and ‘what ifs’ are explored, created and shared.  So when you visit, come prepared to wander and wonder. There are no admission fees, so just crank up your curiosity, ask questions and explore!

Take a virtual tour here >

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! The Omaha Metropolitan Tourism Awards recognized the best tourism-related businesses in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties. More than 6,000 votes were cast. 

Best Attraction in Douglas County:
Winner: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
2nd Place: Hot Shops Art Center
Honorable Mention: Lauritzen Gardens, The Old Market and General Crook House Museum

Our artists share their favorite things to see, experience and do here at the Hot Shops!

Explore over 50 artist studios.

I love that my whole family, from my grandkids to my in-laws can come support me, see my work, then go off to explore the other studios. Each family member has a favorite. Some love the illustrators and quilters. Others love the painters, ceramists and glass blowers. Hot Shops is truly a family favorite destination for learning, growing and exploring. – Jon Summers

Great place for kids.

My favorite thing to do in the Hot Shops is to walk around with my 6-year-old grandson and look at all the art on the walls. I love listening to the comments he makes, he really loves to look at things. When the miniature golf apparatus was up, it was hard to get him to leave. – Robbi Eklow

Experience the joy of painting.

I love helping others experience the joy that comes from pushing color around to see what might happen, at any age and any circumstance. I can teach the only way I know how, intuitively. It is truly therapy. I think the raw honesty that my space represents is actually an open book of my life because each painting has a personal story behind it, so, although my space is large, it is intimate because of that. “If you’re not having fun, you’d better get another brush!” – Dar Vandevoort

Feel the synergy in a truly unique space.

This building! I love coming to work in this old building. The wooden floors, tall ceiling, space to think, nooks around every corner, and all the creative minds that create in this building. The synergy this place gives off is a gem itself. I feel so grateful every time I walk through that red door to come and create. A truly unique space in Omaha. – Josephine Langbehn

This is a place to wander.

My favorite things to see and experience is the glass blowing and wandering the halls looking at artwork. As a visitor it was always fascinating to see a glass-blowing demonstration and walk under all of the hanging glass art. – Jennifer Young

Bronze pouring will leave you in awe.

Pouring bronze is something you just don’t experience every day – or for some people ever. Those who see it are absolutely in awe. The first time I saw Les pouring it blew me away, so much so I asked him if I could learn. Les eased me in and taught me molding, welding and then pouring. I have been learning and working for Les for four years now. We don’t pour every day, so if you are interested in seeing it, call to find out when we will pour next! – Jack Gatzemeyer

There is an open invitation to the community to watch, learn and play.

I love that the Hot Shops is so collaborative and encouraging of artists within the building.  We have an open invitation to the community to come watch and learn and play. The Hot Shops is a venue for all ages and all interests!  I just love being a part of this creative community where I can make, teach and host retreats. – Kelli Sweet

An environment that is warm and inviting to everyone.

What do we love most about Hot Shops? That’s a hard one! Being new artists, we love it all! Seeing all the beautiful ways other artists create from various materials and mediums, then bringing their vision to life is amazing! It is a super cool environment that is warm and inviting to everyone! – Chantelle Green and Theresa White

The Hot Shops is a wonder to the senses.

Walking into the Hot Shops for the first-time was a wonder to the senses for me. I could hear the creak of the floors as if the building itself is speaking and alive. In many ways it is, with the art that fills the halls, the individual studios bringing people’s ideas and creations to life. So much to see, hear, smell, touch and take in – watching art come to life and at the same time interacting with the creators, learning about their processes and techniques.

Art here takes many different forms. You can hear the hammers transforming metal, feel the heat from the forges, seeing the glow of the molten glass and all the beautiful art pieces on display show each individual artists’ personality. I feel a connection to the items I have purchased here when I get to meet the maker face-to-face and walk away with a little treasure created from one’s own hand and heart. – Alex Reza

Plan your visit!

Admission is free. Our hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Closed Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Check our Events page for exhibit schedules, classes and artist receptions.