Opera Omaha, in partnership with Clover 24, presents:
La bohème: Circles of Creation – An Exhibition Inspired by Art, Collaboration, and the Creative Life.
Throughout history, some of the most influential artistic movements were born not in museums, but around café tables, shared studios, neighborhood taverns, and late-night conversations. From the cafés of Paris to the salons of Mexico City, artists, writers, musicians, philosophers, and dreamers gathered in informal circles where ideas were exchanged, collaborations emerged, and creative communities took shape. Puccini’s opera La bohème captures this spirit through the lives of four young artists who, despite poverty and uncertainty, sustain one another through friendship, imagination, and an unwavering commitment to making art. Their story reminds us that creativity is rarely a solitary pursuit—it flourishes through relationships, shared spaces, and communities of care.
This exhibition invites artists to explore the idea of the creative circle: the friendships, collaborations, mentors, cafés, studios, neighborhoods, collectives, and cultural spaces that nurture artistic practice. Inspired by the concept of collaborative circles—small communities of peers whose mutual support and exchange fuel innovation—we seek work that reflects the social life of creativity. Whether celebrating historical artist communities, documenting contemporary creative networks, or imagining new spaces where artists gather, we welcome artwork that examines how conversation, collaboration, love, struggle, and shared purpose shape both individual artists and artistic movements.
Artists working in all media are encouraged to submit original works inspired by themes including artistic friendship, creative communities, cafés and coffeehouses, studio life, mentorship, collaboration, artistic identity, and the everyday rituals that sustain creative practice. We especially encourage collaborative submissions, welcoming works created by two or more artists whose shared process embodies the spirit of collective creativity.
We invite artists to bring those stories to Clover 24, where we will celebrate not only the artwork itself, but the circles of people who inspire it. Select works will move to the Orpheum Theater for display during Opera Omaha’s performances of La bohème.
Select works will move to the Orpheum Theater November 11-15 to be displayed during Opera Omaha’s performances of La bohème.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Sept 30
Artwork Drop-Off: Oct 26-30 at Clover 24, office 110
Exhibition Opening Reception: Friday, November 6
Exhibition on View: November 6- December 1
Select Works Move to Orpheum Theater: November 11-15
Artwork Pickup: December 2-5
