The RNG Gallery will host the 2015 OEAA Visual Arts Showcase this year from Saturday, Jan. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015. This is a change from previous Hot Shops exhibits.
The showcase’s purpose is to highlight the best works from nominees in eight categories including public art that was shown over a year’s time from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014. Nominees will then anxiously wait to see who is honored at the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award ceremony, Feb. 15.
The artists are asked to pick the one piece that will best illustrate their show or body of work in all sorts of 2D and 3D form including painting, sculpture, works on paper and new media.
“The exhibition is a review of the best visual art the Omaha Metro area produced during that allotted time,” RNG owner and artist Rob Gilmer said. “I hate using the term “best” for judging art, but that is the make-up of an awards show. The visual arts world does not have awards shows (outside of OEAA) like the music and acting worlds, so these awards are unique.
“Visual artists have warmed up to The OEAA Awards, in the past they were not sure of the process of nomination for the visual artist; time has changed this. The transparency of the OEAA Visual Arts the past few years has educated visual artists to the process, thus helping them understand the purpose of the OEAA.”