News
ART EXHIBITS
August 2-30, 2022 “There’s No Place Like Nebraska” Loft Gallery, 3rd Floor, East Campus Union, 1705 Arbor Dr., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Solo exhibit in a beautiful study space includes picture book illustrations from The Day We Went to the Park 17 intricate paper artworks inspired by parks, prairies, Sandhill Cranes, and history including “Recess,” which won a national American Landscapes competition for all media. Stop by weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer or 7 a.m.-midnight from Aug. 22. Grab a coffee or meal on the first floor and take the elevator to the gallery on top floor. Guest parking available in front of East Union.
August 22-September 29, 2022 “Made in Japan? Japanese Inspiration in Art” Artworks in Big Rapids, 106 N. Michigan Ave. Big Rapids, MI 49307
RECEPTION: Sun. Aug. 28, 1 p.m.
WORKSHOP: Tues. Aug. 30, 10 a.m.
Group exhibit including Linda Stephen Origami Art, calligraphy, book binding, floral design influenced by Japan. See 10+ pieces of Linda’s art small and large for sale and from collections including community art “Big Rapids: Enfolded by Beauty” (photo). Gallery hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday 231-796-2420; Parking on street in front or in parking lot behind gallery/alley.
- Tuesday 8/30 10-11 a.m, Linda will present a workshop on “Origami, Japanese paper arts and Japanese papers (see left below). Registration required. $5
EVENTS
August
Friday August 12, 4-7 p.m. – BACK TO SCHOOL – Schroder Park Wellness Campus
- Origami table is at Mourning Hope porch, 1311 S. Folsom St., Willard Community Center, Lincoln, Neb. Free art and music activities, school supplies, backpacks
Tuesday August 30, 10 -11 a.m. Origami and Japanese Paper Arts
- Workshop by artist Linda Stephen during art exhibit “Made in Japan?” Artworks in Big Rapids, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids, Mich. Register at Artworks gallery or call (231) 796-2420 ($5 includes materials for make & take project)
September
Saturday September 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m. An Origami Story – Eiseley Branch Library, 1586 Superior St., Lincoln, Neb. (402) 441-4250
- Author/illustrator reading “The Day We Went to the Park” and Origami Time
Saturday September 10, 4-7 p.m. – Harvest Moon Festival (origami table), Antelope Park Bandshell, 27th & A streets, Lincoln, Neb.
- Music, dancing performances, origami, calligraphy, health booths, foods and more
- Annual cultural fall festival sponsored by Asian Community Center. Free and open to the public
Saturday September 17, 1:30-2:30 p.m. An Origami Story – Gere Branch Library, 2400 S. 56th St. Lincoln, Neb. (402) 441-8560
- Author/illustrator reading “The Day We Went to the Park” and Origami Time
October
Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9 – Japanese Ambience Festival, Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., Omaha (402) 346-4002
- Festival exhibits and events 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. including Linda Stephen Origami art (picture books, origami earrings, origami art). Workshops each day for 1 hour (time tbd) by artist Linda Stephen on Origami and Japanese paper arts – including make & take easy origami. Tickets or garden membership required for entrance.
Summer 2022 Public Events
All events are free to attend and open to the public. Materials provided for workshops. Contact the local library or arts center or park for venue questions. To schedule your own author visit or origami workshop, contact info (at)LindaStephen.com or call landline at 402-483-0747.
Wednesday June 1, 2-3 p.m. – Verdigre Public Library – Origami Workshop for ages 3 to 93
- Author/illustrator storytime and Oceans of Possibilities – with Paper!
- 101 E. 3rd Verdigre, Nebraska. Tel: 402-668-2677
- http://verdpublib.weebly.com/
Thursday June 2, 10:30 -11:30 a.m. – Creighton Public Library
Thursday June 9, 6-8 p.m. – Schuyler Public Library
Saturday June 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Lincoln Arts Festival,
Sunday June 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Lincoln Arts Festival, Canopy Street in the Railyard, downtown Lincoln, Nebraska
- Eco-art activity all day: Make & take easy origami
- Creating collaborative community art all day – Rainbow of Possibilities
- Stop by for 3 minutes or 30 minutes to fold flowers and butterflies to celebrate all the peoples and talents of Lincoln
- Join nationally award-winning artist Linda Stephen in creating “Rainbow of Possibilities,” a community collaborative artwork that will come to life through the two days of the Lincoln Arts Festival.
- Through the work of many hands, we will create a pollinator garden of flowers and butterflies. Each person stopping by the Linda Stephen Origami Art booth will have the opportunity to contribute a paper flower or butterfly creation to the rainbow garden.
- All ages and abilities are welcome to participate. There are five different origami pieces to fold. The simplest has three folds and can be done by most three-year-olds with help.
- https://www.facebook.com/events/682012649569722/682012656236388
Tuesday June 21, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Raymond A. Whitwer Tilden Public Library, Tilden, Nebraska
- 10:30 a.m. – author/illustrator reading “The Day We Went to the Park” & easy origami
- 11:30 a.m.– Origami art and the possibilities of paper
- 202 South Center St. Tilden, Nebraska
- (402) 368-5306
Tuesday June 21, 1:30 p.m. – Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Nebraska
- Oceans of Possibilities – author/illustrator reading & origami time
- 308 W. Prospect Ave. Norfolk, Nebraska
- (402) 844-2100
Tuesday June 21, 4:30 p.m. – Lied Pierce Public Library, Pierce, Nebraska
- Easy Origami, Oceans of Possibilities
- (402) 329-6324
- 207 W. Court St., Pierce, Nebraska
Thursday June 30, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Wahoo Public Library, Wahoo, Nebraska
- Author/illustrator visit & easy origami, summer reading program
- 637 N. Maple St., Wahoo, Nebraska
- (402) 443-3871
Thursday July 7, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Plattsmouth Public Library, Plattsmouth, Nebraska
- 10 a.m. – Storytime – Author visit and easy origami for “The Day We Went to the Park”
- See original origami illustrations for Linda’s origami picture book
- 11 a.m. – Beyond the Beaten Path — Exploring origami and the possibilities of paper (presentation + hands-on origami creation for ages 8+)
- (402) 296-4154
- 401 Avenue A, Plattsmouth, Nebraska
Saturday July 30, 10 – 11 a.m. – Homestead National Historic Park, Beatrice, Nebraska
- Every Kid in the Park – author/illustrator and easy origami
- Located at the education building, which is about 3/4 mile west and down the hill from the Homestead museum. Either drive on the road (2 minutes) or walk/run west along the north prairie path (15 minutes).
- See origami art illustrations for picture book The Day We Went to the Park and origami art inspired by the prairies and schoolhouse at Homestead National Historic Park
August 22-September 29 – “Made in Japan?” group art exhibit at Artworks of Big Rapids
- Opening reception: Sunday August 28 at 1 p.m. including paper artist Linda Stephen
- Origami workshops in late August – tbd (easy origami + Japanese papers and paper arts)
- Open most days 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Artworks, 106 N. Michigan Ave. Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
- (231) 796-2420
- http://www.artworksinbigrapids.org/
“Community Unfolding in Minden”
“Community Unfolding in Minden”
Origami landscape by Linda Stephen for the Minden Opera House. Collaborative art with participation by ages 5 to 95. 37″ x 42″ x 2″
Copyright 2021
Where: Gallery, Minden Opera House, 322 E. 5th St., Minden, Nebraska, just 12 miles south of I-80 exit 279. Tel: 308-832-0588; Web site: MindenOperaHouse.com
- Shop for gifts – origami earrings, cards, ornaments & more
- Free parking in the Minden courthouse square. The opera house is on the north side of the square.
“Community Unfolding in Minden” is made entirely from folded and layered papers – created by the artist Linda Stephen and all ages of people in the city of Minden. “Community Unfolding in Minden” is the culmination of a project that the Minden Opera House commissioned in January 2021. In March and April, Linda conducted origami workshops with Minden residents ages 5 to 95 including Minden Public School students, Bethany Home residents, Jensen Memorial Library patrons, community members and beyond who made street bricks and snow piles. Workshops were taught online, in person and via YouTube videos with papers supplied. After the workshops, the art creation and assembly took 5 months.
The scene features the Kearney County Courthouse square, in downtown, Minden, Nebraska, which has been lit with thousands of lights each winter since 1915. Minden is known as the “Nebraska’s Christmas City.”
This piece is a reminder of how Minden came together during COVID-19 and the many hands and talents that make a place thrive. “Community Unfolding in Minden” is 37″ x 42″ x 2″ and will be on permanent display in the lobby at MOH, thanks in part from the support of the Arthur Klinkacek Community Enrichment Fund of the Kearney Area Community Foundation.
TIME LAPSE YouTube Video: “Community Unfolding in Minden” Watch 5 months of origami art construction in 59 seconds!
I will be signing books 11:15 a.m. -noon – “The Day We Went to the Park” picture book.
Meet Nebraska and Iowa children’s book and young adult authors all day at The Bookworm Omaha bookstore in Central Omaha. See my original art illustrations – and how to make an origami caterpillar. Author signing schedule here.
Support local authors and a local bookstore. Meet and greet with authors — 4 to 12 authors per hour (rotating every 15 minutes).
The Bookworm Omaha, 2501 S. 90th St., Suite 111, Omaha, Nebraska. Call (402) 392-2877 for details.
Feature article December 7 by Tony Herrman with photos by Amy Roh for the Hastings Tribune, “Minden community art project to be unveiled Friday.”
Article includes quotes from artist Linda Stephen and Minden Opera House executive director Marcy Brandt.
…”It’s kind of a meditation in thankfulness,” Stephen said.
