For Liz Moldenhauer, it’s all about being curious. Being willing to take a chance on looking at something that is new, different.
With artwork from 115 artists on display at the 55th annual Rockbrook Village Art Fair Sept. 12 and 13, visitors will be able to do just that.
Moldenhauer, Rockbrook’s art fair director, encourages guests to stop by every booth to see what each artist is bringing to the show in terms of their creative expression. Artists will be showcasing works in ceramics, digital media, drawing, fiber art, glass, jewelry, mixed-media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood at this family-friendly event.
“It’s the little details that are usually the most intriguing things that will catch your eye,” she said. “And the best part of it is that you have the opportunity to talk directly to the artist. If you have questions, or if you like an element of the artwork, you can ask them about it and listen to their stories of how and why they decided to develop their pieces — all the things you might have always wanted to ask an artist but never had the chance to do before.”
Live music, food from the Village restaurants and art activities for all ages will also be available at the two-day juried outdoor art fair, which draws about 40,000 visits each year. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13. The Village is located at 2800 S. 110th St., just off the interstate at 108th and Center. Parking and admission are free.
Moldenhauer is most excited about the event’s newest category: digital art.
“Emerging artists now have the ability to work with computers and are generating not only original art, but prints,” Moldenhauer said. “Our guests will have the chance to see such a high caliber of artwork from all over the country.”
Art by Haidyn Sosalla-Bahr
One artist in particular, Haidyn Sosalla-Bahr, will be featuring her 78 digital tarot card deck. While this will be her second year at the fair, Sosalla-Bahr is thrilled that other artists will be representing the digital art category. Last year, the Omaha resident was presented the Emerging Artist Award for her work at the fair.
Each of Sosalla-Bahr’s tarot cards features an illustration she created. Together, the illustrations thematically unite the entire deck. A Media Arts major at the University of Nebraska – Omaha, she said she likes to feature vibrant reds, bright scarlets and juicy greens in her card depictions. The tarot cards, as well as prints of most of the card designs, will be available at her booth.
“There’s essentially a certain scene for each card,” Sosalla-Bahr said. “Some have one human feature on them, others get a more complicated scene with multiple characters interacting.” She said the overriding theme reflected on the cards is cyber futuristic and hyper industrialized. “Anyone who loves comic strips, video games and tarot cards will enjoy these depictions.”
Moldenhauer agreed.
“It’s really cool when we can talk about artists having a specific style, and this is something Haidyn has totally embraced,” Moldenhauer said. “She has a way of drawing the viewer in.”
Moldenhauer said Rockbrook Village, which is home to more than 50 locally owned specialty shops, restaurants and neighborhood service businesses, is the perfect setting for guests to wander through the fair viewing the art and participating in the activities. The annual art fair, founded in 1971, is considered one of the premier art fairs in Omaha.
Find a gift for someone and support an artist with a purchase. Learn more about the fair at rockbrookvillageartfair.com.
