The Ollie Webb Center, Inc.'s Art of Imagination program, in collaboration with University of Nebraska Omaha professor and screenwriter Todd Richardson, has created two short films based on excerpts from two Willa Cather novels.

The first film, “Tom Outland's Story,“ is from Cather’s novel The Professor‘s House and is about discovering an ancient cliff city. The other is excerpted from My Ántonia. This film chronicles the difficulties living through Nebraska winters in the 19th century.

Made in partnership with WhyArts, the films are co-directed by Ollie Webb Center, Inc.'s education director David Ackermann and artistic director, Jim Hoggatt, with director of cinematography Matt Bross. Individuals enrolled in Ollie Webb Center Inc. courses act in the films and served as the film crew on the project.

Located in Omaha, the Ollie Webb Center, Inc.'s mission is to enrich the lives individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through collaboration, advocacy, relationships, and education.

The center's Art of Imagination program works to empower develop and encourage self expression in adults with disabilities through professional opportunities in the visual and performing arts. Classes offer artistic opportunities in traditional art forms such as painting, writing, drawing, photography, and more. Theater classes include improvisation play writing, scripted pieces and radio drama culminating in rehearsals and public performances. 

This event is free to attend thanks to the generosity of Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. The views expressed in spring conference programs do not necessarily reflect the view of Humanities Nebraska or the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.