Funding Update

Peter ran into Patrick from the Omaha Community Foundation, who mentioned the grant applications for the Affiliated Family Fund had just been forwarded onto the grant review committee. We applied for this grant in July, and are anxiously awaiting word on whether we'll receive any funding. Keep your fingers crossed - we should hear some news around Thanksgiving. In that case, make a wish for us when you break the wishbone!

Experience Just Rest at "What's in a Name?" event

Just Rest is a proud to be a partner of Mosaic Community Development. Pretty soon, Mosaic Community Development will have a new name to help distinguish it in the metro-area. On July 30 - August 1, Mosaic is hosting it's rebranding bash, What's in a Name?

That means we have a unique opportunity to showcase Just Rest, and you have a unique opportunity to help us. Stop by Mosaic, located at 1258 S. 13th Street at 11am on Saturday, August 1 and help us make Just Rest art objects during our soft opening!

We'll be on-site with tools and materials and you can help us launch the project by building a chair with Peter, repurposing a pair of delapidated old tennis shoes with Kjell or bird pillows and bed rolls with Leslie. Below are a few (color) pictures of us... taking pictures of our work. Come by and check us out and help make Omaha a better place through art!

Oh, and you can now "fan" us on Facebook. Join the legion of other admirers here!

I just published our Facebook page. It's looking pretty dismal with just one lowly fan. Help us out by searching/fanning "Just Rest".

Leslie's other Summer project

Just Rest artist Leslie Iwai doesn't rest on her laurels. Among the various other projects she's doing between sewing birds and pouring concrete forms is the Artisan Woods project at Nebraska City's Arbor Day Farm. Check out a slideshow of her work-in-progress "Life Below: Exposing the Roots" here.

Update: Now accepting online donations

We've been getting tons of great feedback and support since launching Just Rest during the Big Omaha conference last month. Now we're making it easier to show your financial support by accepting donations via Paypal. If you'd like to make a donation - anything from $5 - $500, you can do so online by visiting Mosaic Community Development our nonprofit partner, and clicking on the "Donate" logo at the bottom of the screen. If making a donation through Paypal, designate "For Just Rest" in the notes or comments field. Thanks for your continued support!

Getting Grandma involved in chair making

Peter just heard from his grandma last night. She called to let him know she'd already finished making five canvas chair backs. We'll post pictures as soon as she mails them from Kansas! Check back soon to get a sneak peak at the color combinations!

Just Rest @ #Big Omaha

Hey, this is Peter: Big Omaha is upon us! (well in about 8 hours anyway). We just finished up our installation tonight and Kjell and I hit up Niccola's before heading over to Slowdown (Hopluia on tap = awesome) to meet up with Leslie and Christian from Mosaic. Great turnout! It's always awesome to go to a place and meet so many new people. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Special thanks to Jeff (@jjsnyc) and Erin (@tinyxl) and all the folks at Big Omaha for all their support and help!

Oh yeah, hey - follow us on Twitter (@justrest). We'll be posting regular updates, including photos of our progress.