Joslyn Castle & Gardens — in partnership with Opera Omaha and curator Claire Caswell — is presenting, “Frida y Diego: A Community Art Show.”
Inspired by the award-winning opera, “El último sueño de Frida y Diego” (“The Last Dream of Frida and Diego”), this community art show, which runs until Friday, features the work of more than 30 local and regional artists, each presenting a creative vision of Frida’s and Diego’s tumultuous love affair.
Guided by history and Mexican American folklore, this exhibition interprets, challenges and commemorates the work, life (and afterlife) of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in sculpture, painting, poem, print, drawing and more.
A small selection of art from the exhibition will be chosen to be featured at the Orpheum Theater during Opera Omaha’s performances of “El último sueño de Frida y Diego.”
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Contact the Joslyn Castle & Gardens for dates and times of viewing.
Lauritzen antique show theme is secret garden
The Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show will be held Sept. 26 to 29, bringing together the worlds of antiques, design, art and entertaining to benefit Omaha’s public garden.
Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Omaha, Omaha’s premier antiques show will include lectures by acclaimed interior designers Mark D. Sikes and Suzanne Tucker, celebrated floral designer Ariella Chezar, and award-winning journalist and host of “Wine Oh!”, Monique Soltani.
The 2024 show will also welcome more than 25 antiques exhibitors from across the country.
The event is co-chaired by Chloe Firestone, Ellie Grace and Ande Johnson. Honorary chairs are Diny and Jim Landen.
The show’s theme, “Secret Garden,” will draw inspiration from the natural splendor of the garden, the legacy of the event, the portfolios of the keynote speakers and the stories within the antiques available for purchase.
“Whether they are a serious collector or someone who simply appreciates beautiful things, we want showgoers to discover the unexpected, unlock the magic of the garden, and find delight in a place brimming with lush greenery, fragrant florals, and an abundance of hidden treasures,” Firestone said.
The antiques show is the largest fundraiser for Lauritzen Gardens, raising money for the continued cultivation of the 100-acre botanical garden. Funds raised help the garden continue its commitment to steward and preserve nature and to curate accessible, educational, and inspirational garden-based experiences that enhance lives.
The weekend’s schedule also includes educational lectures, book signings, free design academies and designer walks.
Reservations for the show’s lecture events, as well as the Thursday night preview party, will open June 1. Visit omahaantiqueshow.org.
Students to host Earth Day at the zoo
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is celebrating Earth Day with an educational event hosted by the Zoo Academy high school students.
Party for the Planet will feature a sustainability market, educational booths, a scavenger hunt and more. The event will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium’s Zoo Academy is a two-year program for high school juniors and seniors in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro.
Zoo Academy provides students with learning experiences and career exploration through job shadowing opportunities and classes, with a focus on environmental and animal sciences.
Second-year Zoo Academy students participate in a yearlong service-learning project with the goal of improving team building, leadership and communication skills while tying the project to conservation.
For this year’s service-learning project, the students were divided into small groups to plan, organize and execute the Zoo’s annual Earth Day event: Party for the Planet.
This event is free to members or included with regular daytime admission. For more information, visit OmahaZoo.com/partyfortheplanet.
Artists can participate in Pottawattamie park contest
Pottawattamie County Conservation is asking artists of all ages to share park-themed T-shirt designs for a chance to have their creations featured on apparel that will support local conservation projects and park improvements.
Winners will also receive an annual park membership, a free cabin stay, one lift ticket to Mount Crescent Ski Area and a T-shirt featuring their design.
“If you love your county parks and have an artistic flair, this is your opportunity to take that passion and use it to inspire others for a good cause,” said Kylie Jacott, Pottawattamie County Conservation promotions and outreach coordinator. “Residents and visitors know our county parks the best, and that’s why we’re inviting them to take the lead on this and create what they want to see.”
The 2024 Pottawattamie County Park T-Shirt Design Contest is open to all ages. Designs may embody any or all county parks including Arrowhead Park in Neola, Botna Bend Park in Hancock, Hitchcock Nature Center or Mount Crescent Ski Area in Honey Creek, Narrows River Park in Council Bluffs or Olde Town Park in Macedonia.
Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on April 30 by email. Submission and design rules and guidelines, which are available at pottconservation.com, must be followed to qualify. Winners will be announced the week of May 16.
Wichita War Dancer will perform at Homestead Park
Celebrate National Park Week April 20 to 28 at Homestead National Historical Park.
The park will start the festivities at 1 p.m. Saturday with the Wichita War Dancer at the Homestead Education Center. Greg Victors, also known as the Wichita War Dancer, is an Indigenous performer dedicated to preserving traditional Native American culture through the War Dance. In addition to performing native dances, Victors will also help the audience learn more about Indigenous culture.
Homestead is located four miles west of Beatrice. For more information, call 402-223-3514, or visit nps.gov/home.
Exhibit to showcase three local artists
The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery in Omaha’s Old Market will open a monthlong exhibit with three local artists on May 1. “Out of Our Minds” will showcase Duane Adams of Griswold, Iowa, Jasmine Greenwaldt of Omaha and Cindy Rae Mathiasen of Council Bluffs.
An opening reception at ACG hosted by the three artists will be held on May 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission to the gallery at 405 S. 11th St. is free with art available for purchase.
The new exhibit will offer a “compelling exploration of the boundless possibilities of artistic expression with a rich diversity of styles and themes.”
Czech-Slovak Festival is set for Saturday
The Omaha Czech-Slovak Festival will be held Saturday at St. Nicholas Community Center at 50th and Harrison Streets from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Enjoy traditional food and music, vendors, a raffle and polka dancing. Get your roast pork, gulaš (goulash) and duck dinners prepared by Eddie’s, imported and hometown beers provided by Infusion and Kolace baked by the Omaha Czech/Slovak Cultural Club.
The program will include a music/accordion jamboree, a gymnastic demonstration by South Omaha Sokol and music by Kenny Janak Orchestra.
Dress up in your traditional Czech-Slovak garb for the “Kroje Parade.”
Some proceeds from the raffle help to fund scholarships from the club. The club also supports the Czech Language Foundation and is part of the Nebraska Czechs organization. For more information, go to OmahaCzechSlovakCulturalClub on Facebook.
Book sale to be held at Waterloo Library
Book donations and library discards will be on sale during the annual book sale by the Friends of the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library, located at 23704 Cedar Drive.
The sale will be open Monday through April 27 during library hours (Monday-Thursday, Saturday). A $5 fill-a-bag day will be held April 27. Kids will receive one free book.
Taylor to be interim president at Children’s Square
Phil Taylor has been named interim president and CEO by the board of Children’s Square, a 141-year-old organization that serves children with mental and behavioral health needs.
Viv Ewing resigned from the position.
Taylor has been chief administrative officer at Children’s Square, where he has acted as a volunteer in the emergency shelter and as chair of the board of directors. He and his wife were foster parents and adopted their daughter through Children’s Square.
“I am honored that the Board has asked me to serve in this role,” Taylor said. “Children’s Square provides critical services that bring healing and hope to children with mental and behavioral health needs. We will continue to provide services that make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our community.”
Kayak launch being built at Danish Alps
Construction of a kayak launch has begun at Danish Alps State Recreation Area near Hubbard.
The joint project between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is expected to ease congestion at the main boat ramp.
The facility will include a shore launch made of river rock, a floating kayak launch dock, expected to be installed in June, a turnaround area for users to unload and load their paddle craft and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking stalls and sidewalks accessing the kayak launch dock. The stalls also will provide closer parking to the boat ramp and dock.
Substantial completion of the project is expected by May 27. The adjacent boat ramp may undergo temporary closures during construction.
Spring barn tour in Iowa is set for June
The Iowa Barn Foundation is holding its annual Spring Barn Tour June 22 and 23.
The barns will be open for self-guided tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. This year’s tour will be held in the Waterloo area with barns in southern Black Hawk and northern Tama Counties.
There will be 11 historic barns open to tour inside and out, and the owner will be on hand to share the structure’s interesting story and answer questions. Visitors will experience a diverse array of barns including a rare round barn and a barn with walls made from locally harvested fieldstones. Many are still in use.
The self-guided tour is free, made possible by the foundation’s member donors. A Saturday lunch will be offered for $15, and advanced reservations are recommended.
Lunch reservations can be made until June 1 at iowabarnfoundation.org or by mailing a check made out to Iowa Barn Foundation to Wayne Frost, 1745 E Eagle Rd., Waterloo, 50701.
Short Takes is a compilation of lightly edited press releases from various organizations. If you’d like to have your information included, send it to ducey@owh.com at least 10 days before the item needs to run.