Omaha Art Fair

06/25/2026

It's been nearly two weeks since the devastating storm that tore through the Omaha Art Fair on Saturday, June 13.

Over the past two weeks, we've been reaching out to artists affected by the storm while also assessing the damage to the Omaha Art Fair itself.

The stories have been heartbreaking. Some artists lost virtually everything—every original painting, every hand-thrown pottery piece, every sculpture, every handcrafted piece of jewelry. Artwork that can't simply be reordered or recreated. In many cases, these pieces represented months, or even years, of work.

But this isn't just inventory. It's their livelihood. Their passion. Their life's work. Gone in a matter of minutes.

As damage reports continue to come in from artists who traveled hundreds of miles home before they could fully assess their losses, we now estimate more than $150,000 in damage to individual artists and over $50,000 in damage to Omaha Art Fair infrastructure.

The recovery won't happen overnight—but together, we can help.

Please consider making a donation to the Omaha Art Fair Artist Relief Fund. Every dollar, no matter the amount, will help artists begin rebuilding and ensure that this incredible creative community continues to thrive.

Together, we can help make sure the light doesn't go out in the studios of these talented artists—or at the Omaha Art Fair itself.

Donate here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-omaha-art-fair-artists-affected-by-the-storm

Or you can reach out directly to impacted artists through links on the Omaha Art Fair Storm Damage Relief webpage:
https://omahaartfair.com/oaf-storm-damage-relief/

Thank you for standing with our artists. ❤️

06/23/2026

In the midst of destruction, look for beauty. 🌈

Photo and glass artistry from Matthew Shrader of the Hot Shops Art Center .

Please continue to support our impacted artists, including gallery artists, by donating to the Artist Relief GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-omaha-art-fair-artists-affected-by-the-storm

06/22/2026

🦸 Not All Heroes Wear Capes 🦸

Some wield hand tools.

Some climb ladders.

And some simply see a problem and get to work.

When the June 13 storm tore through the Omaha Art Fair, volunteers from Noddle Companies stepped in immediately to help. Faced with a heavily damaged beverage tent and a fairground that needed to be reconfigured quickly, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

They helped dismantle the damaged tent, relocate serving areas, move seating, and tackle countless behind-the-scenes tasks that most visitors never saw.

Because of their efforts, the show went on.

If you compare photos from Friday and Saturday, you might notice a different band on stage and the absence of one large white tent. What you won't see is the enormous amount of work that happened between those two days to make sure artists, vendors, musicians, and visitors could continue enjoying the fair.

Noddle Companies made the impossible look easy.

Their hard work and willingness to jump in at a moment's notice helped ensure that the music—brought to the fair by the Blues Society of Omaha—continued to fill Aksarben Village despite the challenges.

From all of us at the Omaha Art Fair, thank you to the incredible team at Noddle Companies. Your support, generosity, and determination made a tremendous difference, and we are deeply grateful.

Please join us in giving these community heroes a well-deserved round of applause. 👏❤️

06/22/2026

💔 Rebuilding for 2027

While we've shared stories of resilience, kindness, and community following the June 13 storm, there was heartbreak at the 2026 Omaha Art Fair too. Many of you have seen photos of the damage experienced by our artists. What you may not have seen is the impact the storm had on the Omaha Art Fair itself.

Just one day earlier, children filled our Kids Creation Station, making colorful bracelets, crafting magic wands, and painting masterpieces. Adults as well added their own touch to our community mural.

Then, on Saturday, it all came crashing down.

Unexpected 70 mph winds tore through Aksarben Village, severely damaging the tent that housed our Kids Creation Station. OAF President Adam Weiss was sheltering inside as the storm hit and witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by the wind and rain.

The Kids Creation Station is an important part of the Omaha Art Fair. Activities are offered free of charge, allowing children to explore their creativity and experience the joy of making art. Thanks to the support of our sponsors and donors, we've been able to supply everything that makes this space possible.

Sadly, much of it was destroyed and cannot be salvaged.

As we look toward 2027, we face the challenge of rebuilding—not only for our artists, but for the next generation of creators who look forward to this experience each year.

Want to help?

• Donate to our Artist Relief GoFundMe. A portion of the funds raised will help replace critical Omaha Art Fair infrastructure, including supplies and equipment for the Kids Creation Station.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-omaha-art-fair-artists-affected-by-the-storm

• Become an Omaha Art Fair sponsor through a one-time donation or ongoing sponsorship. Contact us at [email protected] to learn how you can support art, creativity, and community in the Omaha metro area.

The storm may have damaged our tents and supplies, but it did not diminish our commitment to the artists, children, volunteers, and community that make the Omaha Art Fair special.

We're determined to rebuild and return to Aksarben Village in 2027—and we'd love your help getting there.

🎨 Together, we'll create something beautiful again.

06/22/2026

🎉 THANK YOU, OMAHA ART FAIR FANS! 🎉

Today, we want to pause for a moment and celebrate.

In just 5 days, the Omaha Art Fair Artist Relief GoFundMe has raised more than **$10,000**.

Take a minute and think about that.

More than $10,000 raised by people who care about artists. People who believe in creativity. People who understand the importance of community. People who stepped up when help was needed.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated, shared our posts, spread the word to friends and family, left encouraging comments, or sent messages of support. Every act of kindness has reminded us just how special the Omaha community is.

At the same time, we know the need remains great.

Many artists experienced losses ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars in damaged artwork, destroyed displays, lost supplies, and lost income. The Omaha Art Fair itself sustained more than $50,000 in damage to equipment and supplies, including items used to create the experiences that make the fair special for artists, families, and visitors.

But here's the good news:

We've already raised over $10,000 together.

Now let's see what we can accomplish next.

Can we double that amount in the next 5 days?

❤️ Want to help?

• Donate to our Artist Relief GoFundMe. Funds raised will provide assistance to affected artists and help replace critical Omaha Art Fair infrastructure, including supplies and equipment for the Kids Creation Station.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-omaha-art-fair-artists-affected-by-the-storm
• Become an Omaha Art Fair sponsor through a one-time donation or ongoing sponsorship. Contact us at [email protected] to learn how you can support art, creativity, and community in the Omaha metro area.

Today, let's raise a glass to what we've accomplished together so far—and to the artists, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who are helping make recovery possible.

Thank you for believing in the Omaha Art Fair.

Thank you for supporting our artists.

And thank you for showing what community looks like when it matters most. ❤️

06/21/2026

💙 Another Story of Omaha's Incredible Community Spirit 💙

Are you ready for another heartwarming story from the Omaha Art Fair?

When the June 13 storm swept through the fair, artists scrambled to protect their artwork, displays, and livelihoods. In the midst of the chaos, Rafika Allam, owner of Grand patisserie bakery in Aksarben Village, stepped up in a remarkable way.

Rafika offered free coffee to artists seeking shelter from the storm. But she didn't stop there.

She and one of her employees jumped into action, helping artists move artwork and displays out of the rain. Two customers who had been sheltering in the bakery joined in as well, carrying items to safety without a second thought—even as they became soaked themselves.

Rafika provided towels to help artists dry off, and her employee spent time helping artist Tammy Z salvage and dry damaged items. Throughout the ordeal, Rafika offered encouragement, empathy, and a calm presence when it was needed most.

Moments like these remind us that the Omaha Art Fair is about more than art. It's about community. It's about neighbors helping neighbors. It's about people showing up for one another when it matters most.

From all of us at the Omaha Art Fair, thank you, Rafika, your staff, and the kind customers who stepped in to help. Your generosity and compassion will not be forgotten. ❤️

If you'd like to support artists and the Omaha Art Fair as we recover from the storm, donations can be made through our Artist Relief Fund. All contributions will help artists who experienced losses during the June 13 storm and assist with damages incurred by the Omaha Art Fair.

🔗 [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-omaha-art-fair-artists-affected-by-the-storm](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-omaha-art-fair-artists-affected-by-the-storm)

06/21/2026

06/21/2026

Thank you to Blues Ed for making sure the show went on after the June 13 storm!

When the storm struck and severely damaged the PA system designated for the live music, we found ourselves in a frantic search for a replacement. After speaking with one of the parents, Anne Mardis O'Keefe of the Blues Ed youth group Vertigo, she sprang into action. Anne made several phone calls, rallying the group’s resources and arranged for the BluesEd PA system to be swiftly delivered to the stage, ensuring that the music could go on with only a short delay.

This highlights the dedication and teamwork that defines our community, demonstrating how people come together in challenging times to support one another and keep the spirit of the event alive.

06/20/2026

💙 We Still Need Your Help 💙

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, kind words, donations, and shares we've received since the 2026 Omaha Art Fair. Because of you, we've been able to reach more people than ever before and bring much-needed attention to artists impacted by the devastating June 13 storm.

As we've connected with our exhibiting artists and galleries, one thing has become clear: the need is significant.

Some artists lost not only their tents and display equipment, but also years—even decades—of creative work. For many, the storm damaged or destroyed the very pieces they rely on to make a living. Imagine having to rebuild your business, your inventory, and your life's work from the ground up.

Together, we can help these artists begin that journey.

Donations to our Artist Relief Fund will provide direct assistance to affected artists while also helping the Omaha Art Fair recover and continue serving the creative community. As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to supporting the artists who make this event possible.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-omaha-art-fair-artists-affected-by-the-storm

We are also posting links to affected artists' websites and contact information on our website so you can support artists directly through purchases, commissions, and words of encouragement.
https://omahaartfair.com/oaf-storm-damage-relief/

If you're unable to donate, sharing this post is another meaningful way to help spread the word.

Every contribution, every share, and every act of support makes a difference.

Thank you for standing with our artists and helping our creative community recover. ❤️

06/20/2026

❤️ Community in Action ❤️

In the aftermath of Saturday's storm, we witnessed the very best of Omaha.

When the storm destroyed the 30x50 Omaha Art Fair beverage tent, a group of dedicated volunteers from Northpoint Recovery Alumni stepped up without hesitation. Together, they tackled the hot, sticky, and physically demanding task of relocating the entire operation so the fair could continue serving guests.

Despite the challenging conditions, these volunteers worked with positive attitudes, willing hands, and generous hearts. Their efforts made a real difference during a difficult time.

We'd like to extend a HUGE thank you to our friends at Northpoint Recovery. Your willingness to jump in when we needed help most is something we won't soon forget.

Please join us in showing some love to this incredible group of volunteers! 👏

We can't wait to work alongside you again at the Omaha Art Fair in 2027.