Happy Birthday To Us

It began as a one-time street party and has grown into an official nonprofit that’s making a difference in the culture of its community and the lives of the artists it touches.
 
Benson First Friday (BFF), founded in 2012 by Jamie Hardy and Alex Jochim, will celebrate its fifth anniversary Friday, June 2. “It started as a dream,” Hardy said. “It was a time when our artist community needed an outlet, and our neighborhood had the kind of open spirit to help make it come true. Five years later, we’re not only still here, we’re moving forward as an organization.”
 
Mud wrestling, a bicycle flash mob, a fashion week for dogs - you name it, and BFF has pulled it off. On the first Friday of each month (except January), Maple Street in downtown Benson takes on a carnival-type atmosphere. Shops that show and sell art hold opening receptions for new exhibits, and other businesses are encouraged to host events that add to the atmosphere. Most months have a theme, and the accompanying activities are as creative and original as the organization’s staff and extensive volunteer base. “All are welcome, and we’re up for just about anything,” said Jochim, who currently serves as BFF’s executive director.
 
In recent years, the organization has launched a number of projects that mirror the goals of each first Friday event – celebration, inclusion, and exposure to other cultures and new ways of thinking:

• BFF Banner Project
  BFF partnered with the Benson Business Improvement District to create a set streetlight banners featuring original works from 16 local artists. The installation will occur later this summer.
  
  
• Summer Art Booths (BooFFs)
  BFF has built a street-style art booth - think New York City newsstand meets Benson kissing booth. Local artists and arts organizations take over the booth monthly to provide BFF attendees with an interactive experience. 
  
  
• New American Arts Festival
  The New American Arts Festival celebrates the arts, ideas and cultures of Omaha's refugee and immigrant communities. The fourth annual event, set for Aug. 4, will include workshops, performances, art displays, artist vendors, food vendors, music, interaction and more.
  
  
• Graffiti Practice Wall
  BFF and Habitat for Humanity plan to build a mobile graffiti wall that individual artists or local youth and arts organizations can use to practice techniques used in the outdoor arts arena. The wall will have different ‘temporary homes’ throughout the city and the region, and it will also be set up at a number of local events.
  
  

During 2016, BFF’s first year as a registered nonprofit, the organization supported more than 1,000 local emerging and established artists from a variety of disciplines. “For 2017, we plan to continue development, bring more to the community and hope to give opportunity to 1000+ more artists,” Jochim said.
 
The June 2 anniversary celebration will include:

• Cake, balloons and party favors
• A community photo shoot on Maple Street at 6:15pm
• The BFF Artist Market at Military and Maple featuring 20+ vendors, creators and performers
• The BFF Art BooFF featuring the Union for Contemporary Arts
• On-street DJ Buddi3 da Gawd from 101.3 Mind & Soul
• Live construction of BFF’s new mobile practice mural wall by Habitat for Humanity and interested volunteers
• Street skating by the Omaha Rollergirls
• The launch of “Friends of BFF,” the organization’s first official membership campaign
• The introduction of new BFF swag, which will be available for purchase at Lion’s Mane Vintage, 6107 Maple Street
• Individual events at art galleries and businesses up and down Maple Street

 
Jochim said a few longer-term goals for the organization are to grow its volunteer staff into paid positions and launch a mobile gallery that will bring BFF’s independent spirit and celebration of the arts to other Omaha neighborhoods and communities throughout the region.
 
“This moment would never have been possible if it wasn't for the openhearted and encouraging nature of our friends, neighbors and business owners in Benson,” Hardy said. “I feel like this five-year celebration is not only for us and the artists involved but for the neighborhood itself - thank you for being such a rad place to live, love and create!”

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