Pictured: Tim Guthrie Fred Simon Gallery Opening
Fred Simon held steadfast belief in the importance of establishing a vibrant arts culture in Omaha and Nebraska as a whole.
For nearly 40 years, Fred and his wife Eve served as generous advocates and supporters of Opera Omaha. They were also major sponsors of the Omaha Symphony, Film Streams, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha Performing Arts Society, and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, in addition to Fred’s involvement with Nebraska Cultural Endowment and Nebraska Arts Council.
Located in the lower level of the Burlington Building at 1004 Farnam Street, adjacent to the Old Market. Open hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit this unique space or explore upcoming exhibits.
Construction has made parking a little more difficult when visiting the Fred Simon Gallery. Farnam on the northside of the building is closed, along with the parking stalls.
Below is a map to help navigate the construction and reach the gallery. If you park on the street on Dougals or use the Green Lot (8th and Farnam), you can enter the building by cutting through the Gene Lahey Mall and entering the North entrance. This entrance is also the accessible entrance. If you park in the lot on 12th and Harney, you can still enter through the south entrance. You can use the elevator or stairs to reach the gallery in the basement.
If you have any questions, contact Samuel Hennigh at (402) 595-3809, or at samuel.hennigh@nebraska.gov
By Casey Callahan & Charles Kay Jr.
May 22 – July 15, 2026
Reception: May 21, 5-7pm
Resonance brings together the work of Casey Callahan and Charles Kay Jr., each exploring perception and emotional presence through different visual languages. Callahan’s sculptures, installations, and color studies draw attention to subtle sensory rhythms—light, texture, movement, and the quiet moments that shape our connection to the world. Kay’s Color Field series uses layered, luminous hues to create open, contemplative spaces where color itself becomes an instinctual experience.
Together, their works invite viewers to slow down, reflect, and engage with the nuanced transitions of sensation and color. Resonance offers a shared space for personal interpretation, stillness, and renewal.
Artist Bios
Casey Callahan: Callahan’s work is born from a desire to slow down and to connect with what is often unseen or unnoticed. Her practice examines the physical and emotional significance of materials, often referencing everyday forms and gestures. Rooted in process and spatial awareness, Callahan’s work emphasizes subtle shifts in light, texture, sound, and sensation—encouraging viewers to attune themselves to the overlooked details that shape daily life.
Callahan often explores rhythm, repetition, and the ephemeral, creating spaces that encourage pause, reflection, and embodied awareness. Her practice emphasizes slowness and presence, using material exploration to engage with time, perception, and the potential for healing through sensory experience.
Casey Callahan (b. 1996, Omaha, Nebraska) is a multidisciplinary artist working in sculpture, installation, drawing, and performance. Recent exhibitions include Visual Snow (OCHI, Los Angeles, 2025), All That We Cannot See (Baader-Meinhof, Omaha, 2024), Interference (Baader-Meinhof, Omaha, 2020), and Metronome (Project Project, Omaha, 2021). Her work has also been included in Being Forward (Family, Montreal, 2025), Post Facade (Maple Street Construct, Omaha, 2023), and Baitball (02) (Palazzo San Giuseppe, Polignano a Mare, Italy, 2022).
Callahan holds a B.F.A. from Nebraska Wesleyan University and has participated in residencies at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts (2024), The Union for Contemporary Arts (2023), MAMO Gallery (2022), and the Chautauqua School of Art (2017).
Charles Kay Jr.: Charles Kay Jr. is a first generation Thai-American artist. His parents immigrated from Thailand in 1966 to attend university. Charles was born and raised in Omaha Nebraska. In 1992 Charles graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA.
He has lived in Los Angeles, Paris, Minneapolis, New York, Chicago and Omaha. His work has been exhibited at the Denver International Airport, The Center for Fine Art Fort Collins, Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, The Anne Reed Gallery, Gilman Contemporary, Clic Gallery and Nelson Macker Fine Art. Awards include The Hasselblad Award, American Photography Artist Showcase, Pilsner Urquell International Photography Award, Aperture West Book Prize,Prixe de la Photographie, The Buffett Cancer Center and The Museum of Nebraska Art.
Charles has been known for his black and white architectural series titled Paris Still Lifes which is included in the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Centers permanent collection. From October 2022 – May 2023 he exhibited “UNSEEN – Emerging from the Currents of Assimilation” at the KANEKO Museum in Omaha NE.
Shabnam Jannesari (Hastings)
May 19 – July 12, 2023
Reception: June 1, 5-7pm
Derrick Burbul (Kearney)
July 21 – Sept 14, 2023
Reception: July 20th, 5-7pm
Folk Art Exhibition
Sept 29 – Nov 29, 2023
Reception: Sept 28th, 5-7pm
Santiago Cal (Lincoln)
Dec 8, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Reception: December 7, 5-7pm
Yun Shin (Omaha)
Feb 9 – April 3, 2024
Reception: February 8, 5-7pm
Paula Wallace (Omaha) and Gretchen Peters (Gering)
April 12 – June 5, 2024
Reception: April 11, 5-7pm
Allegra Hangen (Omaha)
June 14 – Aug 7, 2024
Reception: June 13, 5-7pm
Shawnequa Linder (Omaha)
Aug 16 – Oct 9, 2024
Reception: Aug 15, 5-7pm
Karien Bredenkamp (Omaha) and Jeff Sedrel (Omaha)
Oct 18 – Dec 4th, 2024
Reception: Oct 17, 5-7pm
Calandra Cooper (Omaha) and Keith Buswell (Lincoln)
Dec 13, 2024 – Feb 5, 2025
Reception: Dec 12, 5-7pm
Susan Moore (Nebraska City)
Feb 14 – April 9, 2025
Reception: Feb 13, 5-7pm
David Gracie (Lincoln)
April 18 – June 18th, 2025
Reception: April 17, 5-7pm
Lindsey Weber (Lincoln)
June 25– August 20, 2025
Reception: June 26, 5-7pm
Oria Simonini (Omaha) and Ilaamen Pelshaw (Omaha)
Aug 29 – Oct 22, 2025
Reception: Aug 28, 5-7pm
Travis Apel (Omaha)
Oct 31 – Dec 24th, 2025
Reception: Oct 30th, 5-7 pm
Folk and Traditional Arts
Jan 16 – Mar 11, 2026
Opening: Thursday, Jan 15, 5-7pm
Holly Tharnish and Nadine Saylor
Mar 20 – May 13, 2026
Opening: Thursday, March 19, 5-7pm
Casey Callahan & Charles Kay Jr.
May 22 – July 15, 2026
Opening: Thursday, May 21, 5-7pm
Beatriz Rodriguez & Chad Fonfara
July 24 – Sept 16, 2026
Opening Thursday, July 23, 5-7pm
Byron Anway, Joe Pankowski, & Faridun Zoda
Sept 25 – Nov 18, 2026
Opening Thursday, Sept 25, 5-7pm
Bart Vargas
Dec 4, 2026 – Jan 27, 2027
Opening Thursday, Dec 3, 5-7pm
Jordan Ramsey Ismaiel
Feb 5 – Mar 31, 2027
Opening Thursday, Feb 4, 5-7pm
Sarah Rowe
Apr 9 – June 2, 2027
Opening Thursday, Apr 8, 5-7pm
Jonathan Seever & Josephine Langbehn
June 11 – Aug 4, 2027
Opening Thursday, June 10, 5-7pm
Hannah Demma & Yelena Khanevskaya
Aug 12 – Oct 6, 2027
Opening Thursday, Aug 11, 5-7pm
Folk & Traditional Art Group Exhibition
Oct 21 – Dec 8, 2027
Opening Thursday, Oct 14, 5-7pm