Students tackle historic project in North Omaha

Students spent three days to redevelop Carver Bank building into a work of art

By Justin Pazera

CREATED Oct. 13, 2012

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  • Students spent three days to redevelop Carver Bank building into a work of art Video by kmtv.com

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 A group of  high school and college students aren't just sitting around on their fall break, they're putting in sweat equity into a North Omaha area that's rich in history.  It's the sound of generosity. A massive transformation by volunteers from Omaha's North High School and UNL,  carving a piece of art into Carver Bank at 24th and Lake.

North junior Ciera Sanwick says, "Today I have been moving a lot of lumber. We've been cutting down trees and moving rocks." Jessica Scheuerman with the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art says, "We have them a wish list of things we wanted to get done. They showed up at 9am and accomplished everything for the day in the first hour."  

The results of this work will last much longer though. The building was once home to Omaha's first African American owned bank. It's since been vacant and blighted. With the help of a Chicago based artist and students, this area will be home to a sandwich shop and exhibit space.
 
Landscape architect Alex Priest says, "I have a degree in landscape architecture so i don't really feel there's a difference between the outside and the inside. It's all space and thinking about how space is viewed both conceptually and literally."  The artists want you to think of the project as an extension of your backyard. Not just rebuilding the foundation of Carver Bank, but the sense of community of North Omaha.
 
Sanwick says, "Knowing that you're doing something great for the community and then also coming out and working with your friends is just a lot of fun."
Priest says, "I'm not from Omaha so to see something like this happen it really proves what omaha can do." The project is expected to be complete this winter.