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Explore our newest exhibition War Games – now open!
War Games explores how Samuel Bak relates his childhood experiences - from his direct renderings of the Holocaust in his watercolors from 1945 to 1948 - to a selection of his contemporary paintings and drawings. Through the presentation of toys and game pieces, Bak draws our attention to the realities of childhoods spent in zones of conflict and how children are pawns used by warring parties. The exhibition has one gallery room dedicated to historic and contemporary instances of children human rights violations. The final room of the exhibition showcases Mr. Bak’s 2024 series Tools of Trade. These works represent his fears for children whose lives and futures are destroyed by war and the escalation of violence in the Middle East. As much as he mourns this age of destruction, he also depicts his unending belief in humanity’s ability to mend and his hope that somehow peace and reason will triumph.
Exhibition funding generously sponsored by:
Samuel Bak Museum education and operational support provided by:
Exhibition Programs & Events
Curator Talk - Thursday, February 13 6:00 PM
Alexandra Cardon, Chief Curator of Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center, will introduce the key themes of the exhibition War Games. The talk will be followed by a tour of the exhibition for a closer look at specific paintings in the exhibit.RSVP Today!
Educator Open House - Tuesday, February 11 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Join us February 11 anytime between 4 - 7 pm to learn more about Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center and the helpful resources available to support you and your students. RSVP Today!
Exhibition Lecture - Thursday, March 13 6:00 PM
Archives versus Experiences: Native American Children in the Boarding School System
Dr. Susan Geliga will discuss working on the archives of the Genoa Indian School in Genoa, NE as well as her research on Native American children during the boarding school era. Dr. Geliga (Sicangu Lakota/ Boricua Taino) is an Assistant Professor of History and Native American Studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is also a co-director for the Genoa Indian School Digital Reconciliation Project at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. RSVP Today!
All SBMLC programming is FREE, but preregistration is requested. Visit our website for a full overview of our free2025 Spring Programming.
Museum Team Spotlight
Meet Katie Fulkerson – SBMLC Student Worker
Katie is finishing her last semester at UNO as an Environmental Science major and Geology minor. “I have been working at the museum since it opened and really enjoy the work that I do here, including getting to interact with visitors and have meaningful conversations about Bak's work and the work that the Museum is doing. I also love being able to look at his art because he is a phenomenal artist. My all-time favorite piece by Bak is Temporary Homeport.” Outside of work at the Museum Katie enjoys outdoor recreation activities, doing puzzles, and reading books.
K-12 Education
Be part of the SMBLC impact and sign-up for a free K-12 tour and field trip visit.
The Museum offers a free audio tour available for visitors in English, Spanish, and French. Please bring your headphones and a smart device to scan a QR code at each stop.
Interested in reserving the SBMLC Classroom for your next meeting? Read our Reservation Agreement to see if your group is eligible. Complete the Reservation Request Form to get the conversation started. Additional information can be found on the Museum's Meeting and Event Spaces website page.
Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2289 South 67th Street, Omaha, NE 68016
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