Build A Stronger Nebraska Together

This summer, I met up with Omaha graphic designer Justin Kemerling of The Match Factory to discuss an idea for an Appleseed art exhibit.  We’ve worked with Justin on a number of Appleseed projects – most recently our Voices from Fremont poster exhibit chronicling how residents witnessed a sense of division, hostility, and suspicion in Fremont since the town passed a restrictive immigration ordinance in 2010.  Justin’s work and ethic to create designs that inspire community action and promote the common good has made Justin a natural partner and friend of Appleseed.

Historically, the poster has been a powerful means of communicating ideals and advocating for change.   So I asked Justin, could we put together a poster exhibit to inspire Nebraskans to work together to create a more inclusive, more vibrant community?  We decided to invite Nebraska’s graphic design community to submit designs answering the following question: “How would you envision building a stronger Nebraska through greater equality, opportunity and justice for all?

The result: “Build A Stronger Nebraska Together,” a poster exhibition featuring graphic designs from Paul Berkbigler, Doe Eyed, Ella Durham, Sam Rapien, Justin Kemerling, Peter Morris, Oxide Design Co., Cathy Solarana, and Jake Welchert.

The exhibit features eleven signed and numbered 18”x24” silkscreen posters printed by Jason Davis of Screen Ink in Lincoln.   Each artist created a design focused on one of Appleseed’s core values:  Community, DemocracyEqualityJustice and Opportunity.

With Justin Kemerling’s help, we debuted the exhibit at Appleseed’s Good Apple Awards in September and put it on display at Lincoln’s Parrish Studios on October 7 for the monthly First Friday gallery walk.

For those who couldn’t make it to the Good Apple Awards or the Lincoln showing, I’m excited to announce that the series will be on display for a one night pop-up exhibit in Omaha!  Meet the graphic designers and Appleseed staff in Omaha’s Old Market on Friday, October 28 at The New BLK (1213 Jones Street) from 7pm to 10pm.

Prints are available for $35 each (Purchase one online!).  All poster proceeds benefit Appleseed’s efforts to advance equal justice and opportunity for all, building a stronger Nebraska for everyone.

Thank you to Justin Kemerling for putting the exhibit together, Jason Davis at Screen Ink for their generous printing discount, and The New BLK for lending its space.

“Community wouldn’t exist without you.  It’s as simple as that.  We want to motivate those who are a part of a community to keep doing what they’re doing, and we want to encourage those who aren’t in a community to join or create one.  It’s inspiring to see people become a part of something bigger than themselves.” – Kelsey Janda, Oxide Design Co.

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