historic dundee creative district: Call for dundee Artifacts

The Dundee Creative Arts District is partnering with artist Drew Davies of Oxide to design a poster celebrating the Historic Dundee Creative District, and we need your help! Dundee is built on inclusivity, collaboration, and a community-based spirit — and this poster will reflect that by incorporating real objects contributed by the people who live, work, shop, and create here.

We’re collecting small Dundee-related artifacts — both historic and modern — to photograph. These objects may appear in the final poster artwork as part of a larger composition that represents Dundee’s past and present.

When is the deadline?

Sunday, Feb 15 2026.

What are we looking for?

We welcome items from any era — old and new, personal and business-related — as long as they’re small. Ideally smaller than a business card; objects that fit comfortably in your hand. 

Examples might include: small printed ephemera, tickets, tokens, matchbooks, keys, pins, tags, labels, business cards, tiny packaging, or other pocket-sized objects with a Dundee connection. (If you’re unsure, send it anyway — we’ll curate.)

How can you participate?

Option 1: Bring your artifact to be photographed

Drop in during either event. We’ll photograph your item on-site and return it to you right away.

  • Monday, February 9, 5–7pm — Join the Dundee Memorial Park Association monthly meeting at Brownell Talbot School, 400 Happy Hollow Blvd., Omaha, NE (park by the football field), and bring your artifact to the meeting.

  • Sunday, February 15, 2–4pm — Lola’s, 4952 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE

Option 2: Email photos of your artifact

If you can’t attend an in-person event, you can send us photos.

Attach the photo(s) in an email to drew@oxidedesign.com

Please include:

  • Your name

  • Best contact info

  • A 1–2 sentence description of the item, plus any story or context you want to share

  • Approximate year/decade (if you know it)

  • Where it’s connected to Dundee (business, event, address, person, etc.)

Use these guidelines to get the best possible photo:

  • Background: plain white (poster board, printer paper, or a white tabletop)

  • Lighting: bright and even — near a window in daylight is ideal; avoid harsh shadows

  • Angle: shoot straight overhead (keep the camera parallel to the object)

  • Focus: tap to focus; make sure small text is crisp

  • Resolution: send the largest photo possible; use your phone’s primary camera (not within social apps), and don’t screenshot the photo before sending

  • Multiple views: include up to 3 photos (front, back, and any important detail)

  • Scale: if possible, take the photo with a coin or ruler next to the object

Thanks for being a part of this exciting community project!

Learn more about Drew

Drew Davies is the founder of Oxide, a civic-minded brand and design consultancy established in 2001. Under his leadership, Oxide has designed internationally award-winning brands, logos, packaging, and posters. Graphic designer by day, Drew spends his free time making fine art in a variety of media, from painting to found object assemblage, from photography to large-scale sculpture.

Drew recently designed and co-authored Creative Genius: The Art of the Nebraska Capitol, a coffee table book showcasing 100 years of art contained within the State’s grandest building. The publication just won the Nebraska Book Award for design.

Drew is the only Nebraskan to have served as a judge for the Communication Arts Design Annual, the most exclusive major design competition in the world. His work has also been featured in the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

Drew lives in midtown Omaha with his wife Elisa and two boys, Miles and Truman. He's currently in the process of amassing the world's largest collection of classic Aquaman artifacts.