SOUNDSPARK is a public sound art event that coincides with Benson First Friday in the Benson Creative District. Six professional artists and 14 student artists will present a variety of sound-centric installations that invite audience participation. Visitors can expect everything from guitar-controlled robot battles to musical chalkboards to a keyboard-controlled car engine and more. The six professional artists were selected as part of a juried call for works and include Travis Apel, Alex Jacobsen, Lillian Kraft, Colectivo Mictlan, Nick Spencer, and Things I Tell You.

Dr. Seth Shafer, Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Nebraska Omaha, will be giving a talk titled “Sounding Out: Community Building Through Public Sound Installation Art” at 7 p.m. SOUNDSPARK events take place in multiple locations within the Benson Creative District, but Dr. Shafers’ talk will take place at Trudy’s, 2814 N 60th St in Omaha.

“SOUNDSPARK is going to be all about activating familiar public spaces with new auditory experiences,” said Shafer. “We are bringing together students from UNO, sound artists from the region, and community members from across Omaha to present sound installations that invite public participation.”

Things I Tell You is comprised of Becki Murabito, and Tres Johnson. Becki plays a theremin, and Tres uses synths controlled by house plants. Together they create ambient soundscapes.

Travis Apel of Omaha, Nebraska, received Best 3D Award for 2022 ARTELATINX Biennial. In 2020 Apel earned a People’s Choice Award for public sculpture at Art on the Campus in West Des Moines, Iowa. Affiliated with Amplify Arts in Omaha, Apel was a member of Alternate Currents Working Group in 2020.

Lillian Kraft is a musician who finds freedom in improvisation and experimentation. They grew up playing classical piano, and fell in love with jazz and other genres while studying music in college. Lillian loves to collaborate with other musicians and artists, and finds joy in the community that is built through these avenues.

Nick Spencer is an audio designer, composer, and instrumentalist from Omaha, Nebraska. Nick holds a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis on Music Technology (University of Nebraska at Omaha) and a Master of Music in Music Technology degree with an emphasis in Game Audio (Southern Utah University).

Alex Jacobsen creates engaging soundworks utilizing computers, synthesizers, feedback, and guitar. His body of work encompasses sound poetry, listening walks, performances, sculpture, and installations.

Colectivo Mictlan Mictlan Collective is David Manzanarez and Jose Trujillo (Sener), exploring sound sculpture & postdigital art. David, an Oaxacan indigenous artist in the Midwest, dedicates fifteen years to figurative sculpture rooted in reflections on identity, migration, and human experiences.

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