75 CENTS
OMAHA STAR
THE
Proudly Serving Our Community for Over 80 Years
NOT A REQUEST
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 82 - No. 7 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, April 3, 2020
SOCIAL DISTANCING
REQUIRED!
75 cents
Inside/Outside Fellowship
Allegra Hangen Photographer, Videographer, and Multimedia Artist Connect with Allegra: www.allegrahangen.com Photo by Dana Damewood
The Inside/Outside Fellowship was created by The Union For Contemporary Art to serve artists living in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area. The program is an opportunity for deep immersion in both studio practice and community engagement: Fellows explore materials and ideas to advance their creative careers while developing community art projects that contribute positively to this place we call home. Where in traditional residencies artists often work on their own in seclusion, Fellows at The Union are encouraged to be active participants in the civic life of North Omaha, recognizing the potential of art and artists to spark social change. 2020 Fellows
DeAndre Rhodes Photographer and Videographer Connect with DeAndre: www.canoncoltrane.com Photo by Dana Damewood
Michael Elizabeth Johnson Interdisciplinary Artist Connect with Michael: https://artstoragejohnson. wixsite.com/portfolio Photo by Dana Damewood
Alajia McKizia Multimedia and Performance Artist Photo by Dana Damewood
Patty Talbert Painter and Multimedia Artist
Allegra Hangen Allegra Hangen is a visual artist who works mainly with photography and experimental video installations. She recently had two solo shows in Mexico City, Visibilities at Pandeo and Weightless at Salón Silicón. Her work has also been shown in Canada and Argentina. Allegra received her MA in Visual Arts from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and her BFA in Photography from the Art Institute of Boston (currently Lesley University College of Art and Design). She is the Education and Exhibitions Coordinator at El Museo Latino. DeAndre Rhodes DeAndre Rhodes resides in North Omaha. He has presented his work The Art Bank, Hyde Park Art Center, and Harrington College of Design, all in Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Digital Photography. Michael Elizabeth Johnson Michael Elizabeth Johnson is a transgender interdisciplinary artist exploring queer/ trans identities in the Midwest, accessibility in arts, and social justice ontology. Their practice involves wearable sculpture and colorful theatrics that invoke bird imagery, and urgent drawings and paintings inspired by community building. Michael’s work has been presented at Petshop Gallery (Omaha, NE), Tugboat (Lincoln, NE), the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art (Los Angeles, CA), and the 2016 Water for Food Global Conference (Lincoln, NE). In 2017, Michael’s work was featured in Hyperallergic’s “Best Exhibitions of 2017.” Michael holds a BA from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Alajia McKizia Alajia McKizia is a multidisciplinary artist working in visual art and performance. She has shown her work at Tugboat Gallery, Amplify Arts, MaMo, and in the Bemis Center’s annual auction. She has also created work for public spaces. Alajia has performed at The Union for Contemporary Art with TBD Dance Collective, the Durham Museum with African Culture Connection, and Outrspaces where she presented her solo performance “Illuminate.” Patty Talbert Patty Talbert earned her BFA in Studio Art at UNO in 2001 and completed her summer training with MacArthur Award winner Debra Willis at the prestigious Smithsonian African American Museum of History and Culture. She also trained under the watchful eye of the talented late Dawn Scott. These techniques are the foundation and inspiration for her more than three dozen group and solo exhibitions. Her honors include Visual Arts nominee for emerging artist at OEAA, as well as features on Omaha’s WOWT for her North Omaha Positive Affirmation Project, and a guest feature on Heartland Focus. Patty’s North Omaha Positive Affirmation Project has been a continuous project of love for herself and our community. “I choose to celebrate my vibrant and colorful heritage with all its glory of patterns and textures of geometric form. I have learned to embrace my innate sensibility and connection to my African American culture that naturally exudes from me. As a proud African Female Artist, ( this is a label that I tended to shy away from), there was a time when I felt this description itself would limit me or put me in a box. I now realize limits are something one puts upon him or herself.” Patty’s work is inspired by techniques used in Batiking. When the elements of Batiking are translated onto canvas or wood, there is a building up of different colors, patterns and textures. The relationship between these three elements creates a unique harmony within the elements of each design. Through the years, Patty’s art work has changed and evolved, but it has also given her a sense of purpose and a vehicle to express her feelings and desires. Patty’s style of painting has allowed her to encompass methods of expression utilized by her ancestors and also adds a modern relevance to her growth as a proud African American Female Artist.
Next North High School Principal, Dr. Collette Nero
Omaha Public Schools has selected Dr. Collette Nero as the next principal of Omaha North High Magnet. Pending Board of Education approval, Dr. Nero’s appointment will officially begin on Aug. 1. Facilitated by our Human Resources team, the consideration and selection process included a review of qualifications and a panel-style interview, which included central office administrators and a member of the Board of Education, as well as a staff member and parent. Dr. Nero has worked for the district for nearly 20 years. Prior to taking on this role, she served as the principal at Field Club Elementary (2018-2020), an assistant principal at Fullerton Magnet Dr. Collette Nero Elementary (2014-2018). She also served as a coordinator for Student and Family Services (2013-2014), a coordinator of Psychologist Services (2003 to 2013) and worked as a school psychologist prior to that (2000 to 2003). Dr. Nero holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of North Texas (1995), a Master of Education in Education Leadership – Doane College (2015) and a Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology – Texas A&M (2001). We look forward to welcoming your family for a meet-and-greet with Dr. Nero when it is possible. We will share that invitation with staff and families in the future. Dr. Nero is very excited about becoming the next principal at North High School and looks forward to working together to help our students reach their full potential as they prepare for college, career and life.
From the iPublisher’s Pen By Terri D. Sanders Social distancing, home schooling, handwashing, disinfecting, shelter in place … In 2020 these are common terms, that I wish I was not so familiar with. But the show must go on. Our lives have slowed down and changed. Choose to look at the brightside. We are reading more; having “quality” family time; cooking in the kitchen; calling our friends; getting more sleep than usual (naps are in order); meeting virtually and routines have changed. I am not just making this up, this is life not just in our city, but globally. There is a downside: jobs have been shut down; the money is funny; the barbershops, nail shops, salons, massage studios and tattoo parlors are closed (yes after this you may develop a new “style”); no eating out at your favorite restaurant (at home you are eating more, the refrigerator is just steps away); no house parties (virtual celebrations); no happy hour at your favorite “watering spot” (your personal consumption is down or up depending on your stash); no pro sports events; no going to the parks to play (the children play with siblings ONLY in their own yard) … the list goes on and on. When we come out on the other side of this we will say “I remember when the RONA … ” Right now on this side we are not happy. Have you meditated? What about yoga? Gone for a walk? Read a book? Done a project (with supplies you have on hand, not out in the stores)? Written a letter? Called a friend you have not spoken to in a while? There is lots you can do. In this issue of the paper there are some coping mechanisms highlighted. We have chosen to look on the up side of this. The legacy of the Omaha Star is to report the good news of our community and we intend to do that, when thinking about articles to publish. There is a new feature of the Urban Gardner: my journey on starting a garden, join me. Our sports reporter, Roy Nelson, Jr. gives advice on how to remain active. When photographing the family of the week I maintained social distancing and did the photo on the front porch. While taking the Young family photo, I noticed their neighbors walking as families and waking with pets. The Youngs said they saw people they did not know lived in the neighborhood. Both are attorneys and said that they are getting more done, saving money and really enjoying the homebased work they are doing. At this time in your trip around the sun, choose to find a bright side of this dark time. There are organizations and agencies providing hope for the less fortunate. Critical work is being done to strengthen our community. BIG shout out to medical workers who are putting their own lives and the lives of their families, that they go home to, at risk while caring for those that are ill and hospitalized. Slow the spread and decrease the curve because we have to get to the other side and the best way to do that is follow the rules and common sense.
Would you like to write an article?
April 17, 2020
Send info to: publisher@omahastarinc.com
Submissions to paper by April 9, 2020
Next Issue:
Be KIND during Coronavirus