“the enemy within” opens feb. 7
BENSON CREATIVE DISTRICT - Ming Toy Gallery is pleased to host "The Enemy Within" - an exhibition by Brad Thiel and Howard Thiel - during the month of February. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 7, from 6:00 to 9:00pm at 6066 Maple Street in beautiful downtown Benson.
The father and son creatives have different approaches to art.
Brad Thiel has lived in Omaha, Neb., for most of his life. After what he describes as an unremarkable radio career, he entered the world of public education where he has worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.
Following a self-described PTSD-type of year in administration, Brad returned to the classroom as a sixth-grade teacher. He is a self-trained artist but says "perhaps untrained is a better word." He takes inspiration from the Mike Watt quote, "Start your own band, paint your own picture, write your own book."
“The Enemy Within” is an effort to come to terms with the result of the 2024 presidential election. Brad says, "The best of art tells a story. It has a point of view. The work in this show is an attempt at that."
Howard Thiel is a collage and assemblage artist based in Omaha. His practice primarily focuses on rethinking our collective approach to sustainability and waste through a lens of humor and kindness. His engagement with the Omaha creative community and volunteer work - particularly through BFF Omaha, the Church/Art House, and Skatefest Omaha - has shaped his approach. He has shown work throughout Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Brazil. He is a member of the 2025/26 Amplify Arts Alternate Currents cohort.
Howard describes his work in the exhibition as the ghosts of consumption. He says, "Made from plastic bags that get thrown in the trash after emptied, they just float there. Just feelings frozen and suspended. That’s all they are."
Winter hours at Ming Toy Gallery are Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 to 6:00pm, Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am to 1:00pm and by appointment (call or text 402.681.1901).