BFF Omaha to Host “FURst Friday” September 6th in the Benson Creative District
Benson Doggie Parade on September First Friday 2023. Photo by Katy Cowell.
OMAHA, Neb., August 30, 2024 — First Friday has gone to the dogs! On September 6th, BFF Omaha and The Byrd Bath invite dogs and their owners to the Benson Creative District for “FURst Friday.” Attendees can join a doggie parade starting at 7:30 p.m. from the Benson Community Center and ending at a pop-up dog park at the BFF Artist Market at Military Ave. & Maple St. Bring your furry friends to explore the many dog-friendly establishments in Benson for a day to remember FURever!
Petshop Gallery (2727 N. 62nd St.) will present Feral Friends, an exhibition curated by Kim Darling and Alex Jochim. Featuring works by over 40 national and international artists, Feral Friends explores the primal bonds between humans and animals, focusing on the wild nature of dogs. Inspired by Donna Haraway's quote, “Run fast, bite hard,” from The Companion Species Manifesto, the exhibition invites viewers to connect with their innate ferocity. The show includes a range of mediums—paintings, sculptures, photography, and performance—that delve into themes of companionship, survival, and the line between domestication and wildness. A portion of the exhibition's proceeds will support Muddy Paws Dog Rescue, aiding in rescue and rehabilitation efforts to help dogs find loving homes.
“Notre chien est mort” by Jean-François Leboeuf, watercolor on paper. Part of Feral Friends.
Artists featured in Feral Friends include Fred Fleisher, Valerie George, Jean-François Lebeuf, Tim McEvoy, Miranda Swanson, Silvia Rey Plata ‘Aiku’, Wendell Smith, Mauricio Herrero, C. Fischer, Luvflies, Raianna Vierkant, Mark Andrew Steffan, Satisfaction Not Guaranteed, Basil Valentine, Tanner Nosal, moldbaby, Glorian Ceren, Michael Scheef, Derek Courtney, JJ Carroll, Kaitlyn Lang, Cindy Verbaeys, Nika Osswald, Edwin Herrera, Kellie Peach, Kirsten Furlong, Noial Randelli, JLB, A. Mundy, Oscar Davis, David Bruggeman, Em Thomas, Trudy Swanson, JP Gurnett, Kelli Smith, Shawnequa Linder, and more.
MaMO Gallery is located at Laura and Neal Dueland Drive. Just south of PETSHOP Gallery.
At MaMO Gallery (located south of Petshop at 2725 N. 62nd St.), BFF Omaha will unveil its latest accessibility initiative: the newly paved “Laura and Neal Dueland Drive.” This improvement ensures that all visitors, regardless of ability, can access the MaMO Gallery. These accessibility enhancements were made possible thanks to the support of Douglas County, the Nebraska Arts Council, One Omaha, and Laura and Neal Dueland.
Over the past month, MaMO has been at the Omaha Public Library, where artist Amelia Broussard has been creating artwork in the Genealogy and Local History Room based on family stories. Through collage workshops, community members incorporated elements of their family history into their art. Their creations will be on display at MaMO Gallery this September First Friday for the opening of Remnants of the Past.
DREION performs with Pull Up and Vibe on the Omaha Mobile Stage. May First Friday. Photo by Katera Brown
Join us for the grand finale of the Pull Up and Vibe Summer Series on September 6th at BFF Artist Market (6129 Military Ave) for a night of live performances, vibrant art, and community celebration. The event features DJ Four3, a photo presentation by Media Arts Academy students, and an open mic. We’ll also celebrate Jus. B’s birthday with performances by Zedeka Poindexter, Dwayne Lucky, PHREEONWENSDAY, and Jus. B himself. Sponsored by the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment, this is the perfect way to wrap up the summer! Performances start at 6:00 PM. For more information, visit pullupandvibe.com.
On September 6, the public is also encouraged to explore additional exhibits throughout Benson:
SYSTEMES: A Formalist Installation by Bart Vargas at Star Deli Gallery (5903 Maple St.)
Synthetic Synesthesia: Art inspired by scratch 'n' sniff stickers at BFF Gallery (5901 Maple St.)
Tilt23 Showcase: Featuring Adam Wilson, Nyarok, Zaiyon, and BFF Art Club at Ted and Wally's Benson location (6023 Maple St.)
Vox Humana Group Show Opening Reception at Ming Toy Gallery, 6-9 p.m. (6066 Maple St.)
We Regret to Inform You: An exhibition of rejected art at Radial Arts Center (5915 Maple St.)
For a complete listing of events and additional details, please visit bffomaha.org/firstfriday.
BFF Omaha (BFF) is an Omaha-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building community through arts engagement. Composed of 85% volunteers and 93% artists, BFF believes that everyone has the right to create, experience, and cultivate the arts in our communities.