Omahans and tourists alike in the Old Market have something more to see at the corner of 11th and Howard, the site of a devastating fire last January that destroyed the Mercer Building housing the former iconic M’s Pub and Nouvelle Eve as well as several condos.
Banners displaying the work of 37 area artists now adorn the chain link fence surrounding the shell of the building as work continues on its restoration. The art will be displayed for approximately one year. The artists were selected by a judging panel on behalf of the beautifying art project organized by the Old Market Business Association.
Artists include: Gary Allen, Sandy Aquila, Lori Elliott-Bartle, Elisa Benn, Erin Blayney, Andy Boonstra, Joseph, Broghammer, Alyssa Busse, Frank Costanzo, Lisa J. Gill, Austin Hall, Chelsea Hall, Keri Hedrick, Rebecca Hermann, David Hernandez, Jack Hooley, Bill Hoover, Steve Joy, Diane Johnson, Christina,, Kepler, Karen Kunc, Michael Lavelle, Kari Lewis, Thomas D. Mangelsen, Julia Mason, Kat Moser, Christina Narwicz, Helen Patane, Ilaamen Pelshaw, Duane Pieper, Kristin Pluhacek, Susan Puelz, Daniela Juan Rojas, Ken Smith, Bart Vargas, Paula Wallace, and Judith Welk.
Judges Vera and Mark Mercer, Jo Anderson, Roger DuRand, Steve Joy, and Kathy Nevins made their selection from nearly 300 entries in all sorts of mediums. Artists will receive a $100 stipend as well as a credit on their banner, which includes the name of sponsors who donated to the cause on the projects behalf.