We recently connected with Jp Gurnett and have shared our conversation below.

JP, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’m proud to be one of three full-time staff members at BFF Omaha, a non-profit arts organization in the Benson Creative District of Omaha, NE. Our mission is to build community through arts engagement, and since January 2020, I’ve served as the Communications and Creative Director.

Before transitioning into this role, I spent nearly a decade as an elementary school teacher. It was a rewarding career, but as I grew, I began to realize that I had a deep desire to pursue a more creative path. Discovering Benson First Friday (BFF) was a turning point for me. What began as a monthly art walk quickly became a vibrant hub for Omaha’s creative community, and I found myself immersing in the artistic energy of the area.

I began volunteering with BFF Omaha, and over time, my role evolved alongside the organization’s growth. Making the leap from teaching to full-time creative work wasn’t easy, but it was a decision that allowed me to fully embrace my creative skills. In my role today, some of my favorite creative opportunities include designing graphics, curating art experiences, and even serving as a master of ceremonies, all of which contribute to my ability to support myself through my creative work.

Omaha is an incredible place to nurture creativity, and I’m grateful that my role allows me to engage with and give back to this community. Though I didn’t learn everything I do now in a traditional classroom, the real-world experience I’ve gained has been invaluable, and I continue to grow both professionally and personally.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about expanding our reach even further and helping to create more opportunities for artists to showcase their work and engage with the community. The creative journey is ever-evolving, and I’m eager to see where it leads.

JP, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the Communications and Creative Director at BFF Omaha, an arts non-profit located in Omaha’s Benson Creative District. My career path has been shaped by a deep desire to combine my creativity with my dedication to community-building. Through my involvement with BFF Omaha, I discovered a way to make a tangible impact by supporting local artists and helping create a space where people from all backgrounds can experience and connect through the arts.

Since 2020, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to BFF Omaha’s growth through projects in social media, graphic design, event curation, community outreach, and public engagement. One of my proudest achievements was being part of the team that transitioned our programming to a hybrid model for our Benson First Friday events during a particularly challenging year. This innovation allowed local artists to showcase their work both in-person and virtually, keeping the community connected during uncertain times while expanding our reach to a wider audience.

What sets me apart is my ability to seamlessly combine creative vision with strategic problem-solving to bring impactful projects to life. I’m particularly proud of how we’ve fostered greater engagement through events that provide a platform where artists and audiences can connect in meaningful ways.

At BFF Omaha, our goal is to create dynamic spaces where art can thrive—whether that’s through our monthly Benson First Friday events, curated exhibitions, or artist workshops. My role allows me to contribute to all of these areas, helping build connections between local artists and the public. I’m especially proud of the relationships we’ve helped foster—between artists and their audiences, as well as among the artists themselves. Seeing the direct impact of our work on the local arts scene and knowing that we’re making a difference in how art is experienced in Omaha is what keeps me motivated.

The most fulfilling part of my work is knowing that our efforts are directly contributing to a stronger, more connected arts community. If you’re interested in following my work or collaborating with BFF Omaha, I want you to know that I’m committed to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant arts community. Whether you’re an artist looking for a platform to share your work or someone passionate about connecting with the creative pulse of Omaha, I’d love to hear from you. Follow our journey at BFF Omaha, and let’s continue building a creative, inclusive space together.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I first started using social media more actively to promote events and connect with the community, I didn’t have a clear strategy. I simply focused on sharing the work we were doing—art shows, community events, and artist spotlights—and being genuine in my interactions. Over time, I realized that the more authentic and consistent I was in sharing both behind-the-scenes content and the results of our efforts, the more people began to engage with and follow us.

One of the keys to building an engaged audience was focusing on the community aspect. Social media isn’t just about broadcasting content; it’s about starting conversations and creating a space where people feel welcomed and valued. I began to regularly interact with followers by responding to comments, sharing their content when it related to our events, and collaborating with local artists. The goal was always to create an environment where people felt like they were part of something bigger, not just passive observers.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to start with a clear sense of purpose. Ask yourself: What are you trying to achieve with your platform? Whether it’s community building, sharing your work, or promoting a cause, make sure your content aligns with your goals. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment and learn along the way. Social media is constantly evolving, so don’t worry if you don’t have it all figured out at the start. Lastly, focus on engagement over numbers. Building a meaningful connection with your audience will always be more valuable than just growing a large following.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivoting is in BFF Omaha’s DNA. I can think of countless examples where things didn’t go according to plan, and we had to pivot at the last minute. If I had a nickel for every time the power went out during a music festival and we had to scramble to find electricity to keep the event going, I’d have two nickels,

One time that stands out was when we had an unexpected thunderstorm that completely changed our plans. We had a big outdoor market lined up with live performances, but as the storm rolled in, we had to make the quick decision to cancel the markets. The weather didn’t just throw us a curveball—it also meant we had to find shelter for a group of live artists and quickly relocate a dozen drag queens to an alternative venue. Meanwhile, we scrambled to alert our audience of the changes and handle the logistical side of moving everything indoors. In the end, despite the last-minute chaos, we pulled it together and moved the event to our back lot. Over 200 attendees packed in, and we were able to give them a night they’ll never forget. The quick turnaround, while stressful, showed us just how flexible and resilient our team can be under pressure.

That experience is a perfect example of what BFF Omaha is all about—being ready to pivot and adapt no matter what happens. We don’t shy away from challenges; instead, we face them head-on and always find a way to keep the show going. It’s that determination to deliver a great experience that makes me proud of the work we do. In those moments of chaos, we always find a way to turn things around and make something amazing happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.johnthenpaul.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnpaul_michael_g
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpgurnett/
• Other: Follow BFF Omaha at bffomaha.org and online @bffomaha across all social platforms.

Image Credits

Katera Brown, Abiola Kosoko, Josh Foo, Katy Cowell, JP Gurnett