June 13, 2012
Editor’s Note: In June 2010, Omaha by Design and the Omaha Public Art Commission launched www.publicartomaha.org, which celebrates the important role public art plays in the civic life of the city. Below is the 20th in a series of installments on the art and artists featured on the site.
Work – “If You Study, You’re Going to Get It”
Artist – Diane Mattern
Owner – Omaha Public Schools
Completed – 2000
Medium – Metal, glass
Dimensions – 7’8” x 3’
Description – Curled iron bars welded on an iron base with dark blue broken glass wired to the center
Location – Catlin Elementary School, 12736 Marinda St.
Photo credit – Larry Ferguson
School may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy viewing one of Omaha artist Diane Mattern’s works on the grounds of Catlin Elementary, 12736 Marinda St.
At her studio in the Hot Shops Art Center, Mattern creates welded steel and concrete sculptures. Inspired by nature, her work has an organic feel – graceful spirals, twiggy branches and textured concrete with patina finishes. Her previous career in landscaping led Mattern to take up welding, creating functional trellises, birdbaths and garden features for clients. Her work can be found at the Hot Shops Art Center, the Blue Pomegranate and the Dundee Gallery in Omaha; Cooper Gallery in Ashland, Neb.; and From Our Hands in Des Moines, Iowa. “If You Study, You’re Going to Get It” is one of three Mattern pieces featured on www.publicartomaha.org. For more information about the artist, visit http://dianemattern.com.
Send us your photo next to “If You Study, You’re Going to Get It” or any other work featured on www.publicartomaha.org and we’ll publish it on www.omahabydesign.org. If you include this sign in your photo, we’ll send you a Public Art Omaha button or magnet (Midwest Photo Pro, Kayla Meyer and Sarah Tracey did). Email your photos to info@omahabydesign.org. Be sure to include the name or names of the people in the photo and the date it was taken. Questions? Call 402.554.4010.
If you’re interested in preserving or expanding Omaha’s public art for future generations, please consider donating a work of art or contributing to the Preserve Omaha Public Art Fund. For more information, visit http://www.publicartomaha.org/pages/get_involved/donate.