Painting at Parrish: A Sunday of Art, Music, and Play in Downtown Lincoln

This Sunday, Parrish Studios is inviting the community to do something wonderfully simple: come play.

From 2–6 PM, the second floor of Parrish Studios will transform into a collaborative art space during Painting at Parrish, a hands-on, all-ages event centered around creativity, whimsy, and local culture.

Help Paint a Portal to Downtown Lincoln

The heart of the event is a brand-new mural being installed in the elevator lobby. Designed by local artists, the mural serves as a visual “portal” to Downtown Lincoln, featuring recognizable landmarks such as Memorial Hall’s Archie, the arena, Haymarket Tower Square, the Capitol, and Parrish Studios itself.

Visitors are invited to help bring the mural to life through a color-by-number painting experience. A few people will paint at a time, rotating throughout the afternoon so everyone gets a chance to participate.

Pro tip: Wear your paint clothes, paint will be involved.

Art While You Wait

While waiting for a turn at the mural, guests can hang out in the adjacent UnCommon Gallery, where tables will be stocked with art supplies. Make itty-bitty art for the itty-bitty art machine, color-printed versions of the mural design, or just enjoy the freedom of making something without pressure.

“It doesn’t have to be good,” Cinnamon Dokken, Parrish Studios manager. “There doesn’t have to be a goal. It’s about that childhood whimsy, just making things because it’s fun.”

Zines, Music, and Punk Curation

Adding to the vibe, the creators of Interobang, a local music zine, will be on site. Known for their high-energy presence and lovingly old-school approach, Interobang is published monthly and features interviews and coverage of Lincoln’s music scene.

They’ll be unveiling their newly installed, fully collaged zine cabinet in the Parrish UnCommon Space, located next to the piano. The setup operates on an honor system: take a zine from the top drawer, leave your quarters in the bottom drawer.

Ceramics, Bake Sale, and Supporting the Arts

Just off the UnCommon Gallery is The Garden, a large ceramic studio with windows facing O Street. They’ll host a bake sale to support their programming and ongoing efforts to operate a full-size kiln in the space.

Donations are welcome, cash or Venmo. 

Shop Local, Eat Local, Drink Local

The celebration doesn’t stop upstairs. A Novel Idea bookstore will be open from 12–6 PM (a special Sunday opening), local businesses throughout the building will be open and welcoming visitors, and limited-edition Parrish Studio t-shirts, block prints, and possibly mural stickers will be available for purchase.

Downstairs, food and drink specials round out the day:

• Bodega’s Alley: Lemon Love cocktail for $4 (similar to a Lemon Drop)
• Duffy’s: Irish Frog shot ($3) and Aperol Spritz ($4)
• George’s Gourmet Grill and Ali Baba Gyro: free drink with food purchase

Come for lunch, shop the boutiques, grab a cocktail, then head upstairs to make some art.

A Building Full of Community

Parrish is home to independent businesses, artists, and makers, all local and deeply rooted in the Lincoln community.

Bring some cash (quarters especially), your friends, and your curiosity.

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