Artist’s passion becomes a profession

Paintings and sculptures adorn the hallway leading to Larry Roots’ studio, evidence of a passion brought to reality. After years of working as a fulltime artist and maintaining a small studio, Roots decided to take his passion to the next level and start a business—Modern Arts Midwest.

Since it began in 2003, Modern Arts Midwest has provided a venue to showcase Roots’ artwork as well as that of 30 other artists. Located in the downtown Lincoln Historic Haymarket District at 800 P Street, Modern Arts Midwest is a multi-faceted art facility.

The gallery highlights the work of the artists represented by Modern Arts Midwest and is open for viewing. It also stores an inventory of nearly 1000 pieces that can be purchased. Every month the gallery features the work of a specific artist or group of artists.

The basement is a woodshop for framing and packaging artwork. Aside from simply highlighting and selling artwork, Modern Arts Midwest provides consultation, delivery and installation services for customers.

Roots’ studio provides a location for him to create his own artwork as well as office space for the business infrastructure.

Roots is an EDGE graduate as is Nick Lange, assistant manager for Modern Arts Midwest. “We were really hoping to bring in young people like Nick, and working with EDGE helped make sure they understood business principles,” Roots said.

“It (EDGE) forced us to ask tough questions about our business and set some goals that we could work toward,” Lange said.

Building management into the business was a critical goal that Roots and Lange hoped to work toward through EDGE. “We have been successful, but you still have to manage success. We’re not going to forget the aspects of business and values that got us where we are,” Roots said.

In the future, Modern Arts Midwest plans to continue expanding its artist and audience base. It will represent a broader diversity of artists and reach audiences regionally and nationally, according to Roots.

EDGE helped Modern Arts Midwest build on its already solid foundation and can help other businesses do the same. “I recommend it to anyone, large or small, to revisit the basics of business, and EDGE seemed to do that effectively,” Roots said.

To find out more about Modern Arts Midwest, visit their website at http://www.modernartsmidwest.com/. Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

"Lost in the Sandhills", 2005 by Lori Wagner

Area Artist "Paints with Glass"

Lori Wagner is the artist and owner of Nemaha Hill Stain Glass and co-owner with her husband Jed, of Nemaha Hill Farm. Lori, who got her B.A. in Illustration from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, found her niche applying her skills and talent of painting to stain glass as an alternate medium.

Lori creates quality, custom designs for her customers. She can apply her talent to any subject matter, such as re-creating a family heirloom quilt, farms or landscape scenes or simple subjects such as flowers, animals or fruits. She designs a piece by illustrating the image and asks for approval from the customer; then cuts the glass to size, grinds edges, foils all edges, and solders the pieces together. Finally she applies patina and framing for a finished stained glass panel. She uses primarily the copper foil method; but she also uses leaded glass. She prefers larger projects and pieces, customizing panels for entertainment centers, cabinets, windows, and arches.

Lori is an EDGE graduate who started her business three and a half years ago. “My experience in EDGE, particularly developing my business plan, was very helpful as it forced me not only to reconsider my cabinet business idea, but also to reassess my focus and to identify and determine my customer market. I would highly recommend the EDGE class to anyone interested in pursuing an own idea or talent,” states Lori.

As she launched her business, she developed a website where she showcases her portfolio: nemahahill.com. Word-of-mouth and her website are her primary means of promotion; however, she has participated in a variety of art fairs around the area and has advertised in several small publications. She has also held annual holiday sales at Whiskey Run Creek in Brownville.

Lori and Jed have lived south of Nebraska City near Brock for eight years. They raise classic-style Morgan Horses and Katahdin Hair Sheep in addition to having a small vineyard. You can reach Lori via email at nemahahill1@alltel.net or cell at (402)274-9246.

Area Resources Assist New Business

“Life Should Be Filled With Smiles” is the motto of Dr. Molly McNeely and her new general family dental practice located at 1807 4th Corso, Suite #7 in Nebraska City.

Molly is originally from Fall City, NE and she graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry in 2001. “I always knew I wanted to have my own practice; it was a consideration when we decided to move to Nebraska City,” states Molly.

Dr. McNeely promptly finalized her decision to pursue this dream after contacting RCEDC and learning of the Otoe County Economic Development revolving Loan Fund and the NebraskaEDGE program. “The Revolving Loan Fund provided me with about one-third of my overall financing; and at a significantly lower interest rate, this made the risk easier to swallow,” says Molly.

Dr. McNeely identified the location for her practice before they actually moved. While she considered other locations, she knew this was her favorite choice.

Having identified the location, Molly said she didn’t diligently begin putting things together until the Summer of 2005. She attended and graduated from the EDGE program in Spring of 2006. She said the EDGE program helped her organize and prepare an exceptional business plan. Having a detailed business plan gave her insight of the process, it encouraged her to dig deeper to identify things to consider and it helped her acquire her financing.

Molly said the most challenging part of the venture, was the “idea of taking the risk-it is one thing to have your plan and ideas on paper, but this doesn’t guarantee that your phone will ring once you open your doors.”

McNeely Dentistry opened their doors October 4 and since then they have received patient referrals from friends and other dentists in town. Recently, a second dental assistant joined the practice.

Molly said, “I am truly humbled by how unbelievably supportive Nebraska City has been in helping me get my feet planted. Even my competitors have been so supportive, offering advice and camaraderie,” she adds.

One reason the McNeely’s chose Nebraska City as the place to call home, was the people.

Both, McNeely Dentistry and Nemaha Hill Stain Glass are examples of how economic development and area programs and resources can assist with business development and start up efforts.

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