Von Maur shooting survivor reflects on gun violence, creates art exhibit
A University of Nebraska Omaha student is taking one of the city's darkest days and creating art to reflect on her trauma.Em Thomas was just 4 years old when gunfire erupted at Von Maur in 2007, killing eight people. Even after 18 years, Thomas said the impact of that day is still with her.Dec. 5, 2007, is a day Thomas said she can't forget. "When I think about that day now, there is a lot of, I think anger and honestly confusion and a lot of sadness for my inner child," Thomas said. Inside the UNO Art Gallery are images of child innocence mixed with mass gun violence and Omaha's Von Maur is the backdrop. Thomas and her mom were at the Westroads Mall department store that day. She was just 4 years old. "We were in the process of heading towards the escalator to go up to the third floor when the loud banging sound started to go off," Thomas said. Thomas said she didn't understand and it took her many years to put her pain to canvas. "It's been a lot of unpacking and processing on my own terms, and a lot of it has been done through my artwork and the creative process," Thomas said. Each piece is carefully crafted to tell her story. Like the bullets that mark the moment her life changed. "It's a visual representation of how many bullets were expelled and only six minutes and how many of them were fatal," Thomas said. Other art shows images of the future and Thomas' graduation."It's me looking at the building in my UNO cap and gown," Thomas said. "Reflecting and sort of getting a quiet, peaceful moment of closure for myself."Thomas said she'll live with the effects of gun violence, calling it long-term and severe. "Nothing has really changed from 2007, when people were leaving cards with thoughts and prayers to now, and people are still leaving them," Thomas said. "It's just been 18 years of thoughts and prayers." In the gallery with her art, Thomas hopes to help others who have experienced gun violence. "I will be here to support and foster a community for healing and for processing and remembrance," Thomas said. You can view the exhibit right now at UNO Weber Fine Arts building.On the anniversary of the Von Maur shooting, there is going to be a reception for people to come and reflect on the day. If attendees get a chance, there's a survey you can fill out sharing how gun violence has impacted you. Thomas plans to take that and turn it into something she can then take to the legislature to advocate for gun reform.
