The skinny on last weekend’s Science Fair

* Last weekend’s Science Fair, which opened Saturday in the Urban Storage building just outside of the Old Market, was the place to be. Seriously. Hundreds of gallery-goers packed the narrow halls of the fourth and fifth floors, squeezing in and out of tiny individual areas, which displayed the works of close to 100 artists. It was great to see so many first-time artists exhibiting in such an unusual space. The guerilla nature of the event is what made it so cool: Artists played music, and in the building’s lobby, actors acted, poets read and guests mingled. If you missed it, you’re not out of luck. Organizers Josh Powell and Kevin Rooney have planned a second opening Saturday, Feb. 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m. It’s worth a visit. * The Lincoln Arts Council is working as a local partner on a statewide economic impact study and it needs community support. The Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraskans For the Arts are also partners, and patrons at art events during the next 18 months might be asked to complete a survey while at an event. The surveys are critical to the success of the study, as they will show the important role Lincoln’s art community plays. Results will come out in May, 2012. The groups worked on a similar study in 2005. * The Artists Cooperative Gallery continues to celebrate its 35th anniversary with a call for artists. The Emerging Artist 2011 prospectus helps Omaha artists show their first body of work in a gallery. The application deadline is April 10 and applications are available on the Co-Op’s website and at several locations in Omaha and Council Bluffs, including Blick Art Supplies, Border’s at 72nd and Dodge, McFoster’s, Caffeine Dreams and Republic of Couture; in Council Bluffs, go to Tazza Di Caffe, Scooter’s Coffeehouse and the Chamber of Commerce Office. For more information on the program, contact Travis Apel, Emerging Artist Chairman, at contact@designawax.com or by calling 515.0698.