Hot Shops Art Center

05/29/2026

Congratulations to Mell Smith and Greg MacDonald on this feature in Omaha Magazine! We are grateful you are part of our Hot Shops community!

Mell Smith and Greg Macdonald have turned their creative passion into their living. But that doesn’t mean it’s fun 24/7.

05/28/2026

Plot twist: we clean up pretty well.

We are getting a little exterior glow-up. Fresh coat, fresh logo. Same fiery spirit and creative chaos on the inside.

Stay tuned for the transformation reveal 🔥

Thank GO Painting LLC and artist Michael Godek!

04/22/2026

Spark your spring fever at the Hot Shops Spring Open House 🔥🌸 May 1 & 2

Shop for spring with:
• One-of-a-kind yard art + sculptures to bring your outdoor spaces to life
• Thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts of handmade jewelry, wall art, and more
• A fresh collection of beautifully crafted, glass-blown wine glasses for mom’s favorite beverage
• Even something special for your cat 🐾

What to expect:
• Meet the makers across three floors of working studios + galleries
• Live fiery arts demos
• Shop from 50+ artist studios and First Fire Gallery, our student-led retail space
• Experience new exhibitions from Omaha Public Schools Educators + Omaha Catholic School students

Friday, May 1 | 5–8 PM
Kick off the weekend with exhibition openings and shopping!

Saturday, May 2 | 10 AM–6 PM
Spend the day exploring, discovering, and connecting

Suggested $5 donation at the door
Free street parking + free parking at Millwork Commons
Free pedal cab rides from Millwork lots (Sat, 11 AM–2 PM)

Come wander, watch, shop, and feel the heat - there’s nothing like experiencing art where it’s made.

04/09/2026

🔥 Friday Night Art Fluid | April 10 🔥
New Exhibitions + Open Studios + Art, Food & Neighborhood Energy

Join us for a night to explore new work, meet the artists, and step into the process—trying your hand at making something of your own.

Opening Exhibitions & Featured Work:
• Intersections – Creighton University Kappa Pi Art Honors Society
• Eastern Midlands Conference Student Awards Exhibition
• Marin Mowat
• Jean Mason

Get hands-on with art and music:
• Grab a walk-in Hot Glass Experience spot and try molten glass
• Woodcarving demonstrations - Studio 110
• Interactive Painting - Studio 307
• Heart Painting - Studio 312
• Pull a pixel-inspired print from historic printing presses - Studio 308
• Live music - Studio 321

Drinks with Kros Strain Brewing
Snacks available

🔥 Follow the spark into the neighborhood:
• Kinkead Optical – Open until 6 p.m. Stop by for a complimentary frame cleaning or adjustment and start the night crystal clear.
• Wick & Paper Studio – Abstract art & Candle experience
• Dolomiti Pizzeria & Enoteca – Wood-fired pizza and Italian wines perfect for a dinner stop (patio opens soon!)
• Coneflower Creamery – Cool things down with small-batch ice cream made right here in Omaha
• Kros Strain Brewing – Finish the night with a locally brewed pint

Art that glows. Community that glows.

Photos featuring the work of:
Megan Patterson “Internal Animus”
Isabella Taddeini “Metamorphosis”
Brigid Flynn “Walk in the Rain”

04/09/2026

Join us tomorrow morning for breakfast and to hear from Hot Shops co-founder Tim Barry! CreativeMornings events are free - but pre-registration is requested.

03/23/2026

🎨 NEW CLASS 🎨 Interested in learning how color affects your work? This 4 week class COLOR THEORY is for you. You will learn about color theory, mixing colors, color schemes and painting light. A packed course for makers looking to ‘level up’ their work and unlock the secrets of using color effectively. To register for class, sign up on our website.
🫟
Thorn Wren is watercolor artist. Thorn’s artistic journey began with a toddler’s fascination for black crayons and book illustration, and has grown through many phases into the delicate and complex watercolors they create today. They hold a BA in fine arts from Dana College in Blair, NE, and often present work at local galleries and vendor shows. Thorn is an avid gardener, a lover of words and a haunter of libraries.

03/11/2026

Friday Night Art Fluid | March 13 🔥
New Exhibitions + Open Studios + Food & Neighborhood Energy

Make is our core calling. Join us for a night to explore new work, meet the artists, and experience the spark of making for yourself.

3-13-26
5:30-8 p.m.

Opening Exhibitions & Featured Work:

• Nicholas St. Gallery: Black, But Not the Art: Breaking the Frame


• 1301 Gallery: All in Common: The Goodrich Exhibition


• 2nd Floor Landing: 2D work by Andre Watts


• First Fire Gallery: Works by students at UNO


Get hands-on with art while you’re here:

• Studio 308: Print your own letterpress drink coasterkim

• Crystal Forge: Grab a walk-in Hot Glass Experience spot and make your own glass artwork

• Studio 312: Paint a little love on a wooden heart to take home


Drinks with Kros Strain Brewing
Snacks available

Explore the neighborhood:

• Kinkead Optical – Open until 6 p.m. Stop by for a complimentary frame cleaning or adjustment and start the night crystal clear.

• Wick & Paper Studio – Lit & Lucky Craft & Sip experience.


• Dolomiti Pizzeria & Enoteca – Wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, and Italian wines perfect for a dinner stop.

• Coneflower Creamery – Cool things down with small-batch ice cream made right here in Omaha.

• Kros Strain Brewing – Finish the night with a locally brewed pint.

Art that crackles. Community that glows.

02/19/2026

It might be snowy and cold outside but the creativity is keeping it nice and toasty in Hot Shops. Check out our new classes in March 🎉 To register for classes and workshops. Sign up on our website.

02/12/2026

❤️‍🔥 February Friday Night Art Fluid ❤️‍🔥

New Exhibitions + Open Studios + Art, Food & Neighborhood Energy

Turn up the heat with us we bring some creative energy to North Downtown. Wander through open studios, connect with artists, and experience new exhibitions.

Grab a drink, explore every floor, and make a full night of it with stops throughout the neighborhood.

Cash bar featuring Kros Strain Brewing
Snacks available

Featured Exhibitions at the Hot Shops:
• Nicholas Street Gallery: Silenced
• 2nd Floor Landing: Love Lines

🔥Keep the flame going—follow the neighborhood crawl:
• Kinkead Optical – Open until 6 p.m. Stop in for a complimentary frame cleaning or adjustment and start the night crystal clear.
• Wick & Paper Studio – Galentine’s Craft & Sip — gather your crew and get creative.
• Dolomiti Pizzeria & Enoteca – Make your reservations for a cozy pre-Valentine’s dinner featuring wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, and Italian wines.
• Coneflower Creamery – Sweeten the night with handcrafted, small-batch ice cream — the perfect way to cool the sparks or share a scoop.
• Kros Strain Brewing – Keep the evening glowing with a locally brewed pint and good company.

Art that crackles. Community that glows.

We’ll see you Friday.

12/06/2025

Rolling into Winter Open House like… 🚲🔥
Hop on a FREE pedal cab today from the Millwork Commons parking lots and ride straight to the front doors of the Hot Shops!

Winter Open House Dec. 6 & 7
Art, fire, food, music, mocktails, and the grand opening of the First Fire Gallery.
See you this weekend!

12/05/2025

Winter Open House is almost here — THIS Sat & Sun! ❄️🔥

What to expect:
• Makers + fiery demos
• First Fire Gallery (a student-led retail space) grand opening (1312 Izard!)
• Bang! Catering
• Dry Spokes holiday mocktails
• Live music
• FREE pedal cabs from Millwork Commons

Don’t miss Omaha’s most creative holiday weekend!