Explore Identity and Strength with New UNO Exhibitions

September 30th, 2025

The University of Nebraska Omaha’s Art Gallery and Criss Library are highlighting themes of identity, community and growth with their two newest exhibitions, Solace in Painting: Reflecting on a Tumultuous Century and Recovery: Artwork by Laura Kina and Jave Yoshimoto. The two exhibitions, running in tandem, give guests an intimate look into the lived experiences and emotions that fueled the creation of the diverse artwork on display. 

It all started when UNO Art Gallery Director Rebecca Norris was contacted by a colleague. Dr. Fletcher Coleman with the University of Texas at Arlington, curator of Solace in Painting: Reflecting on a Tumultuous Century, offered Norris the opportunity to host the exhibition at UNO. Not long after, plans to bring the exhibition to Omaha began. 

 “Solace in painting centers on art and the Asian diaspora and it does this through three artists with work ranging from traditional to contemporary,” Norris said. “It’s rooted in their lived experience.” 

Solace in Painting features artwork from artists Chao Shao-an, Keisho Okayama and Ann Phong.

As news of the upcoming Solace in Painting exhibition began to spread, inspiration struck UNO Assistant Professor of Art Jave Yoshimoto to propose a second exhibition. 

“About six months ago, I found out there was, a show happening at the art gallery and it’s based on Asian American artists,” Yoshimoto said. “So I kind of pitched the idea to Rebecca, the curator, about possibly hosting more contemporary Asian-American artist and it ended up being a two person show between myself and Laura Kina from Chicago.”

Yoshimoto and Kina, professor at Depaul University, previously collaborated on a cookbook titled, Word of Mouth: Asian American Artists Sharing Recipes. Yoshimoto approached Kina to collaborate once more on the upcoming exhibition, Recovery.

“So our work is about, basically about having personal traumas or observing trauma and how to recover from that,” Yoshimoto said. 

The Solace in Painting and Recovery exhibitions are open to the public now through October 24. The Solace in Painting Exhibition can be found at the UNO Art Gallery, located in the Weber Fine Arts Building. The Recovery Exhibition can be found at the Osborne Family Gallery, located in Criss Library. 

“Just, a real human story, it’s not about politics,” Yoshimoto said. “It’s really just about how we as individuals face different challenges throughout life and how we can overcome it through a sheer determination of strength, but also support from our friends and family.” 

A discussion centered around the Solace in Painting Exhibition will take place at the Barbara Weitz Engagement Center October 8 beginning at 6 p.m. Speakers for the event include Chloe Coleman, Dr. Fletcher Coleman, Loui Palu, Ann Phong and Jave Yoshimoto.  

“This is an opportunity for reflection, surrounded by wonderfully creative artists whose work represents resilience,” Norris said. “This is resilience in the face of life changing experiences.” 

UNO Art Gallery will be holding a meditation event on October 15. To complement the Solace in Painting exhibition, the UNO choir will sing a few songs.