A Nebraska collision repair facility recently began hosting art shows at its shop, and these shows have now become major events in its community.

Boyd Dingman began hosting the shows at his shop, Dingman’s Collision Center in Omaha, Neb., a year ago. It stemmed from a simple thing: a curved wall.

Dingman’s initial plan, following a renovation of the building, was to hang pictures of old downtown Papillion on the wall, dubbed the “showroom.” But then, what once was a simple idea grew even bigger.

Dingman’s brother-in-law is famed artist Mike Hagel. Hagel has worked on artwork for the U.S. Postal Service and United Airlines. A number of his pieces are on permanent display at the Pentagon and Air Force bases around the world. In 1994, he was even commissioned to create five murals for the President George H. Bush Memorial Library.

Dingman had the idea to bring in Hagel, as well as local artists, to partake in the art show that was shaping up to be a monthly affair.

The art show is held on a Saturday each month with light appetizers and wine being served. Anywhere from 25 to 100 people usually attend. The show is advertised through simple word-of-mouth.

“Art [at the shows] has been a number of different things from stained glass to people that are making rugs,” said Dingman. “A lot of cool stuff.”

“I have custom motorcycles, that’s my therapy,” he said. “ We have them in the showroom. That’s my art.”

But art isn’t the only “cool” thing happening at the monthly art show.

“We have this organization called Open Door Mission come,” said Dingman. “They bring their trucks and they load them with clothing and whatever people can give to the needy. We do that at two of our locations.

“It’s giving back to the community, and I think it’s important that we give back in many ways or whatever way we can. Art is a great way and, of course, any time you can help the needy, that’s the kind of stuff that’s important.”