Listen to this article here. Audio Provided by Radio Talking Book Service.
As the cars buzz past the intersection of 24th and Grant, there rests a larger-than-life mural of local icon and community advocate Preston Love, Jr. You get the feeling as you look at the mural that Love is keeping a protective eye on the community. It gives you hope. The mural represents the struggles, resilience, and joys of the people of North Omaha. The words “Nebraska Now - Leading by Example” encompass the goal of inspiring communities by showcasing leaders who embody the spirit and values of Nebraska.
The work is by local collaborative art team nick/drick, made up of painter Nick Flatt and photographer Scott Drickey. Flatt and Drickey met in 2023 at a gallery opening in Benson. “When I met Nick and saw his painting, I was floored by it. It got me inspired,” Drickey said.
Drickey is a photographer and director who studied film in Santa Barbara, California, and brought his passion and expertise back to his hometown, Omaha.
Looking at Flatt’s paintings, one does a double take. There’s so much detail in them that they look like large-scale photographs. Love’s mural image depicts his every pore, the hairs on his beard, and the texture of his suit jacket.
“Nick does hyperrealism painting. He’s constantly pushing himself to more intricate textures,” Drickey said.
Drickey captures the photographs that Flatt paints. The two work in a symbiotic relationship, both building on the other’s skills. When you talk to them, Flatt is more reserved and Drickey is fast-talking and full of excitement about their current and future projects. It’s easy for one to see the duo’s friendship and passion for their nick/drick mural projects.
Flatt witnessed the street art scene in Los Angeles and Berlin. “When I moved here and saw the murals, I noticed they were bland and I wanted to elevate them to the types of murals you would see in other cities,” Flatt said.
According to Flatt, it takes about six to eight weeks for him to paint a portrait on canvas, whereas a mural is done in about two weeks. The mural of Preston Love, Jr. was created over a two-week period where visitors came to watch the progress of the artists in action.
“Preston said, ‘this image isn’t about me.’ This mural is about the hard things the community has experienced,” Flatt said.
The pair’s next mural was a street scene of the Steinhauer Main Street in its early years.
The objective for all the murals is to elevate art in the state they live in with Nebraska people. Or, as Drickey explains, “to remember these people for their extraordinary efforts and to better our community while walking through it.”
nick/drick is hoping to do three or more murals this year. The pair is working on finding locations for a Gale Sayers mural and a Jun Kaneko mural.
nick/drick’s collaboration works well because the two have contrasting skills.
“It’s tempting to find someone just like you to work with, but it’s better to find someone with differences,” Flatt said.
“If you’re the same, you won’t move anything forward. You either dance or you don’t. It’s important to give each other space. He’s learning from me and I’m learning from him. Don’t let your egos combat the need to collaborate. Work as fluidly as you can. Work ethic is important—we don’t wait for the phone to ring,” Drickey said.
As he pitches the mural projects, Drickey puts together short films that feature what a mural would look like on the building. “My job is to get a hold of developers. If you make them feel something, they will remember you,” Drickey said.
As the murals are going up, Drickey helps Flatt with putting down some of the base paint. He also records the process. “The process of the mural going up is fantastic because it embraces the community. People stop by to see what we are doing,” Drickey said.
The essence of mural art is that you don’t have to go to a gallery. There’s no admission to pay to see the work. It’s for everyone. After the mural is completed, nick/drick has an unveiling for the community with food and media.
nick/drick’s long-term goal is to make Omaha a globally known street art hub like Denver’s River North Art District (RiNo) or Florida’s Wynwood Art District. Drickey is busy working on that goal.
“It’s kind of been the same since day one. Scott goes out and tries to drum up collaborations, and I just paint,” Flatt said.
“I’ve been told by other artists that I’m a great connector. I like to find a way to make something happen. In the bigger markets, there is a big taste for art. We want to see that here,” Drickey said.
For more information, visit scottdrickey.com.
This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
