hot shops art center

My favorite shops - 3rd floor - Chris the quilter, she always has several projects going on and has lots of complex and beautiful quilts on display. Also on the 3rd floor Kelly - a Bronze sculptor who can be seen working with her wax pot building the forms that will become sculptures in the lost wax process in the bronze foundry. I also really enjoy Margie who has a lamp work bead studio. She has lots of her work on display and does classes. There are lots of other studios on that floor including concrete and wood sculpting, architect, painters and photographers.On the second floor there are painters, photographers, a graphic designer and a weaving studio that seems pretty popular when they have the open houses.On the first floor is the glass blowing shop where you will find Ed who is usually pretty happy to give a demonstration or a tour of the building. There is a ceramics studio where you will find tim who is also very friendly and will give you a detailed tour of the building (he knows all the history of the place) There is also an area where you will see all the welders and people working with various large machinery - many of the things looking like they date back to the 1040s. If you continue through that area through a small room you will find the bronze foundry where you will see Les whose work is all over town. There is also a really nice stained glass studio where they do expert work. There are a few gallery areas there where I think work from other artists groups are hanging (they commission the space) Several of the artist give classes there including Chris the quilter, Margie the lamp work glass lady, the painter next to her gives classes and the glass blower (ed) and the ceramic artist (tim) I think it is best to go on Saturdays. It seems like the most artists are there on that day although the serious artists seem to be there most days. If you are handicapped or disabled route around on the first floor in the ceramics or glass blowing areas and ask one of the artists to give you a ride in the freight elevator - any artist would be happy to help you with that. It is a wonderful place to take kids because it is such an unusual experience and can really get them thinking a lot about all the creative things they are seeing. This is not a fancy place - casual attire is fine. This building is right by a few hotels and about 4 blocks from the convention center and about 6 blocks from the downtown restaurant and shopping area. I think depending on how much you like art you should give yourself between 1-3 hours to wander through the building.

Awesome artwork of many genres and mediums. Very neat to experience even if you are not a huge art buff. A must see if you have time in the Omaha area

Great way to see what the talent in Omaha is all about. It is very cool to see the passion of the artists who volunteer their time to show off their work and those of artists friend. Worth the visit.

the Hot Shops are located in a renovated warehouse in downtown Omaha near the TD Ameritrade ball park - there are either three or four floors in the building with about 20-40 shops or various artist lofts on each floor - so prepare to do some walking - we went on a weekend in fall of 2014 when the place was open to the public for free - there was a forge(glass blowing) on the lower level along with a metal fabricator and wood carver. I had previously met the Crystal Forges owner Ed's former student in Spencer , iowa and bought some art work. Other artists had photography exhibits, paintings, neon works, bead crafting and so many other art works i can not begin to describe them all - art covered many of the walls outside their studios - A friend purchased a really nice painting from a yong lady who was just out of H.S. school and honing her craft - she was very talented for all of 17 or 18. I believe we spent at least 5-6 hours there and did not see everything - all artists were very friendly and willing to share experiences . Great place to visit if you are into art - I do know that some artists have their works out on consignment in various small art galleries in eastern nebraska cities like Columbus ( in their library) and also at various locations in western Iowa - well kept secret

Hot Shops is lcated near downtown Omaha, across Cuming Street from Ameritrade baseball stadium. Every type pf at is displayed and sold there. Makers of custom pens, jewelry, stainless steel yard art, photography, paintings, wood carving, furniture, iron works, crystal forge, potters. It's a wonderful place to wander, enjoy and talk to the artists.

While traveling, I prefer to bring home something made by a local artist, in lieu of mass fabricated crap. Even though I live in Omaha, this a favorite place to shop when needing a 'art' fix. Note, while open frequently, your best bet is to visit when they are holding a open house. Far more artists are there.

This is a rabbit warren of studios and stores. Lots of interesting and intriguing artists from metal working to glass blowing and painting. Fun place for a winter afternoon explore. Teenagers loved it.

Perhaps I'm spoiled having been to the Torpedo Art Gallery in Alexandria, VA. There are 3 floors, various workshops but hardly any of them were open.

My wife and I have enjoyed going to the Hot Shops for many years. We love the open houses, for you can talk to the producing artists and even watch them working. At other times, there is something going on, and the artists most certainly do not mind being watched while working. Of especial interest is the Chrystal Forge, the glass blowing studio on the main floor. There is ALWAYS someone working with glass, and if the master, Ed Fennell is around, he is usually most willing to describe what is happening at the forge. The forge area is not very comfortable on a hot summer day, but on a cold winter day, it is a great place to visit to watch the glass blowers work their magic with molten glass.

This is one of the most fun places to view, price and purchase unique art, glass art, etc.You have to see it to believe it! Everyone there was friendly and went the extra mile to show their art off.

Dont miss this especially if you are in town for the College World Series it is within easy walking distance of the ball park and they usually have glass blowing demonstrations going on during it. Great local artistis have their work on display, paintings, photos, pottery, wonderful things not to be missed!

The Hot Shops Art Center is an interesting place to visit at anytime of the year but really great around/before Christmas when the artist's are in full bloom with their holiday decor and production, in my opinion, of some of their finest works. Individual artists' shops are often open while the artists themselves are working or are willing to talk about their work and sell it and special holiday events are often planned on the weekends for families to go out and explore the Hot Shops for the first time. From bronze to glass to ceramic to everything in between, even textiles, etc. it is an interesting go and explore anytime of the year.

Imagine an old warehouse, a maze of corridors, creaky stairwells and an eclectic collection of art and you’ve got the Hot Shops Art Center. The adventure starts outdoors with a variety of metal sculptures. If you can find the front door (hint on 13th street near Nicholas), you are in for a fun and exciting time. Pretty much everything is for sale, this is not just a gallery. They have metal, photography, stained glass, sculpture, glass, blown glass and photography. While glass blowing is always neat, I prefer the metal shop which is huge. Note that if you go on Saturday, most shops are closed, but you can still see most of their art on display. Children need to be supervised; parts of the center are more machine shop than art gallery. And don’t be fooled, hot shops is North of downtown near the TD Ameritrade ballpark, Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn, and NOT in the old market area where you might think. Street parking is available. If you are into art, it is worth a stop. They also have classes.

What a fun and inspiring visit! I went on a Saturday afternoon so a lot of the artist spaces (shops) were closed. However, the artists that were working were very friendly and talented. Ed the glass blower actually created something so I could see how glass art is created. I left with several affordable art pieces from 2 different artists. Totally worth the trip!

Hot shops is a different kind of place. The best part about it is the glass blowing experience. I've always been intrigued by how artists do what they do, and glass blowing was no exception. Here you can watch them from start to finish (if you can stand the heat) and they get really involved with the patrons, answering questions and explaining technique...and you can even take lessons!! Every artist on display has their own space and workshop and most of them let people watch them create. Many different kinds of exhibits and art. There is something for everyone. Down home, small town feel in a place where your imagination can really take off.