Past Projects

Done.

Past Monthly Events

Since June 2012, we've facilitated a city-wide art and cultural event EACH month
(year-round) within the Benson neighborhood.
Pics or it didn't happen ;)

Past Event Photo Albums

BFFzz

First appearing in 2018, BFFzz is a "quarterly" publication that puts what BFF embodies into a tangible form,
supporting creativity, culture, artists, and the community.
The 4th issue debuted in February 2019!
BFFzz can be found at Lions Mane Vintage!

Projections

We are bringing back on-street projections!
Stay tuned as this programming develops in 2019...

MICAH House Art Library

In early 2019, MICAH House added 26 beds for single women experiencing homelessness. BFF partnered with MICAH House to create an Art Library for their newly remodeled shelter in Council Bluffs, IA. Clients are able to "check out" original artwork to hang in their room.
Through this project, we hope to spread the healing power of art.

Participating Artists:
Kimberly Glass, Rachel Griel, Amber Harvey, Lawrence Hernandez, Cassidy Hobler, Justin Holman, Jeremiah Johnson,
Stephen Kavanaugh, Kelsey Kowalski, Emily Noe, Samantha Novak, Amanda Novotny, Ilaamen Pelshaw, Kristin Rodenburg,
Savannah Savick, Laura Simpson, Heather Tomasello, Amanda Wilson, Jennette Altman, Brandi Bentley, Jody Boyer, Mary Ensz,
Christopher Couse, Keri Hedrick, Nicole Hulstein, Shawnequa Linder, Lauren Olson, Diann Owens, Maureen Phalen, Hilary Quinn,
Kris Rosa, Teresa Rush, Anna Schmidt, Jennifer Shannon, Gerardo Vazquez, Lynda Vik, Michaela Wolf, Casey Callahan

KRAMPUS

For years, BFF has hosted a Krampus walk and "Bad Kid Scavenger Hunt" throughout Benson
during the December first Fridays.
Krampus post cards, prizes, fashion walks, and Krampus himself make up the night.

Members ONLY Ball 2018
Gone to Paris!

Our Friends of BFF Members are treated to a night of entertainment, food, drink, and merriment once a year during our Members ONLY Ball!

LINCOLN CALLING
2018

For the second year in a row,
BFF brought visual art, performers, live art, projections, musicians,
and the MaMO down to Lincoln for Lincoln Calling Music Festival!

PETFEST
2018

Highlighting visual art, musicians, and performers all in one jam-packed day of events,
PETFEST is an annual fundraiser for BFF programming.

New American Arts Festival 2018

Our 5th Annual New American Arts Festival - highlighting local refugee and immigrant arts & cultures -
occurred on August 3rd, 2018 throughout the Benson neighborhood!

BFF SWAG

Giving a chance to (and PAYING) local artists to design their own merchandise, BFF SWAG comes out with new designs quarterly.
Partnered with Yeti Printshop & Lions Mane Vintage.

Public Art Contributions
2018

Working with the BID and Omaha Bicycle Co., we curated a wall space for a new Nolan Tredway piece!

In a partnership with Petshop Gallery, the BID, and all participating building owners,
Watie White and Brent Houzenga (LA) left their marks in Benson.

MaMO Gallery Build-Out
Summer 2018

Thanks to the help from YOUTUBE tutorials and dedicated volunteers, we taught ourselves
how to frame, insulate, drywall, & texture new walls inside this 45' Semi trailer turned gallery.

Oceanside Mural Project

Completed August 2018
Spearheaded by BFF's Public Art chairs, Maggie Weber & Maggie Heusinkvelt.
Mural Assistants: Holly Tharnish & Leo Rosas Vickers

Petshop Expansion & Buildout

MANY volunteer hours poured into clearing, demo, cleaning, rebuilding, and improvements
on our new expansion of Petshop at 2729 N 62nd St!
After months of work, we finally have a new home, housing additional studio spaces for artists,
as well as offices, meeting space, and storage for yours truly.

Benson Days 2018

In 2018, BFF hosted "Benson Beach" - an interactive "wish-you-were-here" beach zone comprised of surf rock, DIY SAND SLIME,
baby pools, hundreds of beach balls, hula hoops, watermelons, and FUN!

BFF also booked the bands for the night stage, as well as staffed and organized donated "goods" to the community beer garden.
All proceeds went to the BNA.

BFF also organized the PARADE ANNOUNCERS by BFF Crew Members & local performers Caitlin Little & Tony Buttells!
Please watch the VIDEO HERE!

Habitat for Humanity Omaha
Community Build Day

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, BFF Crew Members worked alongside neighborhood volunteers
to build SIXTEEN planter boxes (complete with dirt & perennials) for businesses to display along the alleyways,
prepped and primed the wall for our Oceanside Mural,
& weeded and gardened throughout the neighborhood.

Omaha Summer Arts Festival 2018

BFF brought the HEAT (IRL, was 90-100 degrees all weekend...) to Omaha Summer Arts Festival 2018!
We hosted an interactive PAPER MARBLING activity for over 600 attendees,
as well as hosted LOCAL WORKING ARTISTS, who could vend their product for free.

Yoshitomo Gallery
youth-focused gallery

Thanks to a generous donation of a gallery space from Yoshitomo,
we have begun operations on this YOUTH-focused gallery on Maple St.

Stay tuned for big improvements and continued programming in 2019!

Omaha Gives! 2018
Finding Baby Jessica

"Benson News Now" and "Limelight News" aka "BFF World News"
brought the world exclusive coverage of the missing baby Jessica.
Even celebrities like Beyonce showed their support!

Memorable moments include radio spots on 101.3 Mind & Soul Radio, our 'search party' at Burke's, & karaoke at the Benson Theatre & the Sydney.

Petshop Galleries: Past Exhibitions

Founded in 2012, Petshop hosts monthly events within it's two gallery spaces.

Petshop Past Events

MaMO Gallery: Past Exhibitions

Debuting in 2018, MaMO has hosted monthly exhibitions.

MaMO Past Events

Omaha Zombie Walk

Saving it from extinction, or possible spin-off somewhere else, BFF hosted the OMAHA ZOMBIE WALK in 2017.

BFF Members ONLY Ball 2017

After a successful first year of our Friends of BFF Membership program,
we thanked our beloved members with the first annual Members ONLY Ball!

BANNER PROJECT
2017

During the summer of 2017, BFF teamed up with the Benson Improvement District, to install 32 banners throughout Benson.
16 artists created unique artworks that now grace the neighborhood streets.
Artists Involved:

Byron Anway
Caitlin Hochwender
Chikadibia Ebirim
Harrison Martin
Holly Whitcomb
Jess Riggle
J. Altman
Laura Hopp

Katie Temple
Michael Rowen
Ruby Rose Kelley
Viktoria Georgieva
Jess Benjamin
Soleil Ramsey
Chase Couture
Sophie Newell

New American Arts Festival 2017

LINCOLN CALLING 2017

September 28th, 29th, & 30th
Downtown Lincoln

BFF hosted various art elements during Lincoln Calling music festival!

Including
projection art, performance art,
visual art, interactive art, live murals, and more.
*Mural on right designed by Maggie Heusinkvelt.

See the pics

Omaha Gives 2017

"Dead Bob Ross" hosted an ART ANGELS event at Burke's, filled with "happy little trees" (15 fake christmas trees),
and inviting the public to join in costume as "Art Angels"

TINY MURAL PROJECT
2016

In 2016, BFF teamed up with muralist Maggie Weber to create the Tiny Mural Project, a contemporary spin on the traditional mural concept. The result? One large mural divided into nine smaller sections that now spans the alley between 59th and 62nd streets just south of Maple Street.
"Our goal was to encourage artists, business owners, community members and organizations to become more aware of advancement opportunities and to be involved with the Benson neighborhood and local arts in general," Weber said.
Below is a list of the project's featured artists.
Autumn Armstrong
Jonathan Riggle
Christopher Vaughn Couse
Maggie Heusinkvelt (aka Magnolia Blossoms)
Ransom Bennett
Maggie Weber
Barrett Ryker
Joe Nicholson
Sarah Craw

The Tiny Mural Project was made possible by sponsors Ted & Wally's, Ground Floor Guitar and Habitat for Humanity.