Our Mission

In recognition of the importance of the arts to the cultural life of the Omaha community, Gallery 1516 provides a venue for the exhibition of works of Nebraska and regional artists. We work in conjunction with museums, educational, professional, and performing arts organizations to provide a space in eastern Nebraska for traveling exhibitions, educational lectures, music performances, and more. We support the arts through a broad range of fund-raising activities and community engagement, without charging artists commission fees. Gallery 1516 celebrates Nebraska and regional artists to affirm the value that art holds in the Omaha community and encourage our young people to appreciate art’s role in society.


History

Gallery 1516, described as “the single most impressive gallery space in the region” (The Reader, 2019), was originally constructed in 1883 as a two-story livery stable. Horses occupied stalls on the ground floor, while tack, feed, and buggies were stored on the second floor. In 1925, International Harvester Company bought the stable and modified the building to accommodate selling and repairing farm equipment. Their changes included removing the second floor and interior support columns, replacing them with the wooden trusses seen today.

The building was purchased in 2000 and turned into a stable for cars - an Avis rental lot. Fifteen years later, the space was fully remodeled to create Gallery 1516. The interior was designed by Bahr, Vermeer & Haecker Architecture, blending the old with the new to create “industrial elegance at its best.” Portable hanging trusses can display artwork in a variety of configurations, creating small gallery bays or accommodating sit-down events for over 200 guests. The façade and long central table were designed by Seattle-based architectural firm Olson Kundig.

Today, Gallery 1516 provides a one-of-a-kind venue for visual arts, music, literature, and architecture by the best Nebraska and regional artists.

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Gallery 1516 before and after renovations.

From a livery stable in 1883, to a world-class exhibition space for Nebraska and regional artists.

Learn more about the gallery’s history, past exhibitions, events, and more! Click the button to view our News Archive.


Board of Directors
Patrick Drickey - Director
Kim Wyllie
Steve Johnson CPA
Steve Martin
Jeanne Salerno
Ann Pape
Larry Sosso
Merrill Peterson

Counsel
Nicole Konen
Koley Jessen

Advisory Board
Gary Bowen FAIA
Melissa Crawford
Philip S. Drickey
Washington Garcia PhD
Ree Kaneko
Melissa Marvin
Amy Morris PhD
Linda Rajcevich
John Wilson PhD
Michael B. Yanney
Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein

Emeritus
Richard D. Holland
Wm Karrer MD
Daniel Schafer MD
John Christensen PhD

Curators
Russ Erpelding
Christina Narwicz
Larry Roots

Installation
Karen Drickey
David White

Website
Adventure Studios
Brian Scholl
Kathy Scholl

Deputy Director
Sara Bihlmaier

Location
1516 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, NE 68102

Gallery Hours
Appointments are Preferred

Phone
(531) 375-6643


Related Links

The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) celebrates Nebraska’s artistic visual history for all patrons and visitors. MONA collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and interprets the work of artists who were born, lived, trained, or worked in Nebraska or who created artworks that reflect the culture of Nebraska.


Website designed and developed by Adventure Studios. It is a privilege to work with Gallery 1516 in support of their contributions to the cultural richness of the community.