A+I Project Team
Marshall Faith generously funds the project through the Faith Foundation.
If you are interested in supporting this project, please email Scott at scott@omahabydesign.org.
PROJECT TEAM
PROJECT FOUNDER:
Laura Alley recognizes and promotes the transformational impact that public art has on a city. In March 2020, when the reality of Covid began to sink in and the shut downs were beginning, Laura had an idea to do something to keep local artists working while bringing joy to Omaha. She hoped to pull together artists that would create excellent public art in surprising places; the forgotten spaces; the spaces in-between.
Laura believes it critical that this project is Artist-Lead, so her first calls were to Betni Kalk and Weston Thomson, friends and local artists she admires and has worked with over the years. Laura’s vision requires that the art is of excellent quality, created by an inclusive, diverse mix of local artists.
As the concept took shape, the team looked for an organization to host and administer the project, and Omaha by Design was a perfect choice. Scott Dobbe, Executive Director at Omaha by Design, was enthusiastic to help and the collaboration and brainstorming began.
Art + Infrastructure was born.
LEAD BY ARTISTS
Artists Betni Kalk and Weston Thomson are the co-leads of the project. They paint murals, develop and curate mural designs with artists, create digital renderings, prepare selected sites for artwork installation, and assist our selected artists as needed to ensure overall project success.
Betni graduated with an MFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and is an Associate Professor of Design at Creighton University. She advocates for community murals via the communitymurals.info website that she founded.
Weston graduated with a BFA degree from California State University Chico and has completed and managed over 40 public mural projects on the west coast and in Omaha. He is the lead artist at Chromatic Black Studio in Omaha.
PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR
As Project Administrator, Omaha by Design is responsible for overall coordination, financial management and communication, ensuring the project’s lasting contribution towards a more vibrant, livable city for all.
PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION
The City of Omaha Public Arts Commission has been an excellent resource and aid in the process, reviewing each artwork to ensure a consistently high standard for public art across the city.
https://mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/2-uncategorised/210-public-art-commission
Are you an artist interested in working with us?
If you are an artist interested in working with us on a mural or other public art projects, please send us a link to your website or a set of relevant images to art.plus.infrastructure@gmail.com.
OUR SOCIAL MEDIA
facebook.com/artplusinfrastructure
IG @ ARTplusINFRASTRUCTURE