NHIA student artwork showcased for La Boheme at the Palace Theatre

MANCHESTER, NH — For the third year running, artwork by New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA) students will be featured by the Palace Theatre and Opera New Hampshire for the upcoming production of La Boheme, thanks to an ongoing partnership between the college and the nonprofit group, focused on bringing professional opera to the Granite State.

And for one student – sophomore Alexandra Bye – that means incredible exposure for her creative talents.

The partnership between Opera New Hampshire and NHIA gives the college’s illustration students the opportunity to create artwork for the production’s posters, playbill, online content and promotional materials. Artwork from one student is chosen to brand the event; Bye’s illustration of La Boheme was selected to receive top honor. She will also receive a $500 scholarship from Opera New Hampshire in recognition of her exceptional work.

“I am incredibly honored that my artwork was chosen to represent such a huge event,” Bye said. “I am truly thankful to the New Hampshire institute of Art for the opportunity and the Opera New Hampshire community for the scholarship. The students at NHIA do such fantastic work, it’s certainly humbling to be considered for this award.”

This collaboration is integrated into the college’s curriculum, a practice that NHIA faculty and administration prioritize because it provides real-world experience and exposure for students to apply their talents. The college recently participated in a similar program with the Rock on Foundation’s NBA All-Star Weekend event.

“We are proud to partner with Opera New Hampshire and to provide professional opportunities for our students,” said NHIA President Kent Devereaux. “As a composer and fan of opera myself, I’m thrilled that this partnership not only highlights the excellent quality work of our students, but also allows them to experience live opera in Manchester.”

About La Boheme

This is a popular operatic performance that follows the story of Rodolfo, a poet, sharing a garret in Paris with his Bohemian friends and falls in love with the fragile Mimì on Christmas Eve. In addition to the visual creations for the Valentine’s Day production, students also focused on Madame Butterfly and Turandot. Their works range from watercolors and oil paintings to digital creations that will be on display and available for sale prior, during and after the event.  All proceeds go directly to the student artists. Additionally, NHIA receives a block of 30 tickets, which historically have provided its students their first exposure to a live opera.

An exhibition of artwork by NHIA illustration students celebrating the production is Saturday, February 14 in the Palace Theatre’s foyer and historic stage at 80 Hanover Street in Manchester.

“Opera New Hampshire is thrilled to continue its collaboration with the New Hampshire Institute of Art,” said Judith Feinberg, Opera New Hampshire’s president. “We hope to continue to develop joint projects with the Institute to bring exciting new operatic work to New Hampshire.”

Tickets to Opera New Hampshire’s production of La Boheme are available at palacetheatre.org. The exhibition and art sale prior to the event is free and open to all. To learn more about Opera New Hampshire, please visit operanh.org.

About New Hampshire Institute of Art

Established in 1898 as the Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences, the New Hampshire Institute of Art offers Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts in Art Education and Master of Fine Arts degrees as well as Certificate and Community Education programs in Manchester, Sharon, and Peterborough, NH.