Papillion Art Classes That Will Inspire You to Create Like Never Before

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The front window of Kalina Art Studio in downtown Papillion, a welcoming space offering Papillion art classes for kids and adults.

If you’re looking for Papillion art classes that inspire creativity for both kids and adults, Kalina Art Studio is the perfect place to explore your artistic side. Located in the heart of downtown Papillion, this unique art space offers hands-on experiences that welcome everyone—from complete beginners to seasoned artists.

Watch the Interview with Kalina Art Studio’s Founder

We recently sat down with Luba Carlson, owner of Kalina Art Studio, to talk about her unexpected journey into the art world, the creative opportunities her studio offers, and why she believes everyone has an artistic side.

Watch the full interview here:

YouTube player


From Math to Masterpieces: Luba’s Unexpected Journey into Art

Kalina Art Studio was founded by Luba Carlson, whose path to becoming an artist was anything but traditional. Originally from Ukraine, Luba holds a master’s degree in math and a background in education. Her artistic journey began when she started using mathematical tools like compasses and rulers to create intricate mandala designs. What started as a hobby soon turned into a passion, leading her to open Kalina Art Studio, where she now shares her love of art with the Papillion community.

What Makes Kalina Art Studio Special?

Unlike traditional fine art schools, Kalina Art Studio offers a fun, approachable way to experience creativity. Luba believes that everyone is artistic at their core—it’s just a matter of rediscovering creativity in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

Art Classes for Kids and Adults

Kalina Art Studio provides a variety of Papillion art classes designed for different skill levels:

  • Kids’ Art Classes – Regularly scheduled lessons to help children explore painting, drawing, and other creative techniques.
  • Craft Workshops for Adults – A new craft club where adults can work on fun DIY projects like upcycling thrift store finds or creating stylish home décor pieces.
  • Drop-in Art Sessions – Open studio time for those who want to experiment with different materials and techniques.

More Than Just Art Classes—A Creative Community

Beyond offering Papillion art classes, Kalina Art Studio is also a hub for local artisans and creatives. The studio features a retail section filled with handmade items, art supplies, and DIY kits—perfect for anyone looking to start a creative project at home.

For those wanting to celebrate special occasions with creativity, Kalina Art Studio also hosts birthday parties and private events. Whether it’s a group painting session or a hands-on craft night, the studio provides a welcoming space for making memories.

Join a Papillion Art Class Today

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not artistic,” trust me, I get it. I spent 21 years in the military and studied nuclear engineering—creativity wasn’t exactly something I thought I had. “I speak math,” I even joked with Luba during our interview. But after talking with her, I realized that being creative isn’t just about painting or drawing. It’s about seeing things differently, trying new things, and allowing yourself the space to create without worrying about perfection.

Luba shared something that really stuck with me: most people stop creating because at some point, someone—maybe a teacher or a friend—told them their art wasn’t good enough. But why should that stop us? Creativity isn’t about making something perfect—it’s about the process, the exploration, and sometimes just having fun with your hands.

Whether you’re interested in structured Papillion art classes or laid-back craft workshops, Kalina Art Studio is the perfect place to tap into your creative side. If I can give it a shot, so can you!

Visit Kalina Art Studio in downtown Papillion and start your creative journey today!

Want Your Business Featured?

If you’re a local business owner in the Omaha or Papillion area and would like to be featured in The Midwest Will Move You blog and video series, reach out to me! I’m passionate about sharing the unique stories behind local businesses and helping the community discover great places like Kalina Art Studio. You can reach me right here, via phone or email.

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After 21 years of military service, I now help buyers, sellers, landlords, and military families navigate real estate with clarity and confidence.

After 21 years of military service, I now help buyers, sellers, landlords, and military families navigate real estate with clarity and confidence.

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I’m Justin Ogburn, a retired U.S. Navy submarine veteran and full-time REALTOR® serving the Omaha metro and the communities surrounding Offutt Air Force Base. I specialize in military relocations, first-time homebuyers, and families planning ahead — whether that move is happening next month or years down the road.

I share local insights, neighborhood guides, market updates, and practical advice to help you make informed decisions in Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, Gretna, and beyond. If you ever have questions about the local market or are planning a move, I’m always happy to be a resource.

Justin Ogburn

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Faith Hall
September 18, 2026
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Justin helped make our military move amazing. He was attentive, professional, and personable. Justin was prompt with showing us all the houses we wanted to see. We also felt we could trust his advice. He pointed out potential problems and was patient as we looked for just the right place to call home. It was great to work with someone who understands the military life and the Omaha area.
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Jeremy Hall
September 16, 2026
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Great realtor that really knows the area. We found his advice and candor refreshing. He was able to work with our schedule and got us through to closing in record time. Highly recommended!
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Sadie Santee
August 6, 2026
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Justin has managed a rental property we were in. He did a great job going above and beyond to resolve an electrical issue we had. He had to go back and forth with the warranty company on a dryer and the electrician. He got it resolved quickly with very little input from us. Great guy!
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Tornell McColley
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Justin is great & trustworthy! Goes over and beyond for his clients!
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Brandon Jones
August 6, 2026
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Great rental property manager to work with! He manages our rentals and we very seldom have issues, compared to our previous agent. We LOVE his flat-rate monthly pricing structure! Thanks Justin!
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Karen Hughes
July 28, 2026
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We couldn't have asked for a better realtor! Incredibly accommodating and responsive, always keeping us informed every step of the way. Buying a home from long distance could have been stressful, but Justin made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. As a veteran family, we especially appreciated his knowledge of the VA home-buying process and his commitment to serving those who have served. We highly recommend Justin to anyone looking for a trustworthy, hardworking realtor who truly goes above and beyond to help you find your perfect home!
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Quintenn Vedol
July 27, 2026
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Relocating across the country while on active duty can be stressful, but Justin made the home-buying process effortless. From the start, he understood the unique challenges of a military PCS and went above and beyond what we ever expected. We completed our entire closing remotely, and Justin handled every detail to make it seamless. Even after closing, his support didn't stop. Since we couldn't be there right away, Justin personally installed our garden hoses and set up our automatic sprinkler system to keep our new lawn healthy until we arrived. He also connected us with trusted contractors so we could begin home improvement projects before moving in, saving us valuable time. As if that wasn't enough, he even received one of my vehicles after it was shipped, giving us one less thing to worry about during an already hectic cross-country move. Those aren't things a realtor is expected to do—they're things someone does because they genuinely care about their clients. Justin didn't just help us buy a house; he helped our family make a smooth transition to a new community. His professionalism, communication, local knowledge, and willingness to go above and beyond are second to none. If you're looking for a realtor who will advocate for you, treat you like family, and continue supporting you long after closing day, I can't recommend Justin highly enough. Thank you for Everything you did for our family—we truly appreciate it.
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Noah Christians
July 27, 2026
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Cannot recommend Justin enough. As first time buyers he patiently walked us through the process along with all of our questions. Being a military family, we had to close sight unseen (nerve racking to say the least), but he ensured every last detail was addressed before we stepped foot in our home. Justin is an expert, well connected in the greater Omaha community, and above all trustworthy .
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Joseph Kucher
July 27, 2026
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Justin was an excellent realtor for us. He showed us probably dozens of homes, and was with us and supportive every step of the way. He was there to assist us in navigating when our first deal fell through, helping us deal with the process and some extremely unprofessional agents. He is very knowledgeable and helpful and I cannot recommend him enough, especially if you are military looking to buy in the area, or a veteran looking to find your forever home.

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