Organizers of an Omaha art event are asking for the public’s support after a severe storm caused widespread damage.
Early on Saturday, June 13 a severe storm with 70 mph winds swept through the Omaha Art Fair at Aksarben Village.
The intense winds and heavy rain destroyed artist tents, damaged displays, and left many participating artists with significant losses.
Within minutes of the storm passing, volunteers, artists, staff and community members united to clear debris, salvage artwork, and begin to restore the fair. A press release stated the fair reopened because of an incredible community response, but many artists left the weekend facing damaged equipment, lost inventory, and faced challenges ahead of future shows.
To help those affected, the Omaha Art Fair launched a community GoFundMe campaign dedicated to supporting artists who experienced storm-related losses.
“We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who showed up, lent a hand, donated supplies, or supported our artists,” Omaha Arts Fair President Adam Weiss said in the press release. “Your kindness reminded us just how strong and connected the Omaha arts community truly is.”
Funds raised will be used to replace destroyed tents and display materials, provide direct assistance to artists affected by the storm and help restore their tools.
A dedicated landing page on the Omaha Art Fair website will feature a list of the artists impacted by the storm, along with information about their work and ways the community can continue to support them through purchases, commissions, and direct engagement.
The GoFundMe page says that more than 40 booths were destroyed in a matter of minutes.
“For many artists, these losses represent months, or even years, of work. Some artists lost thousands of dollars in inventory and equipment,” the page says. “Others lost original pieces that cannot simply be replaced. Many depend on art fairs and festival sales as a major source of their annual income.”
Omaha Art Fair was started in 2025 as a replacement for the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, which ended its 50-year run in 2024.
Weiss has said he participated in the Omaha Summer Arts Festival for a decade before it ended and wanted Omaha to retain a summer art event. The free event offers a blend of art, live music and family-friendly activities.