Ground Rules: Public Art and Civic Spaces

Amplify’s next panel discussion, Ground Rules: Public Art and Civic Spaces, considers how public artwork shapes civic spaces aesthetically, socially, and politically.

Join us Friday, May 8th, from 12 pm - 1 pm at Omaha Public Library’s new Central Library for a conversation that explores the intersection of art, space, and civic life with artists Littleton Alston and Celeste Butler, OPL Partnership Manager Amy Mather, and Amplify’s Partnerships lead Lauren Martin.

Together, they’ll discuss how public artwork actively reshapes civic spaces, particularly libraries, by interrupting patterns, inviting reflection, and redistributing attention to make room for more voices, more histories, and more ways of belonging.

Free and open to all. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend so we can plan.

Getting There:

Omaha’s new Central Public Library at 72nd & Dodge is easily accessible by transit, car, bike, and on foot.

• Public Transit: Located along Dodge Street, the library is served by multiple Omaha Metro Transit routes, including the ORBT Bus Rapid Transit line, with stops nearby.
  
• Driving & Parking: A multi-level parking garage is attached to the building, with convenient access from both 72nd Street and Dodge Street.
  
• Cycling: Bike access is supported along the Dodge corridor, with bike parking available near entrances and improved connections to surrounding routes.

The building is fully ADA-accessible, with step-free entry, elevators, and accessible restrooms to ensure a welcoming experience for all visitors. If you require specific accommodations (ASL interpretation, language access, or other support), please email [email protected] to help us plan.

About the Panelists:

Littleton Alston is a sculptor who lives in Omaha, where he is also a Professor of Sculpture at Creighton University. His works have been exhibited nationally and internationally and are included in many public and private collections. He has completed artist residencies at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, the Martine Vaugel Studio in France, and the International Centre for the Arts in Italy. Littleton earned his MFA degree from the Rinehart School of Sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art and his BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Celeste Butler is a fiber artist and storyteller whose work weaves together history, culture, and community through the art of textiles. Known for her intricate use of fabric, beads, and repurposed materials, she creates pieces that celebrate heritage and resilience. Her practice centers on preserving African and African American narratives through the tactile language of quilting and collage. Deeply rooted in Omaha, Celeste’s work connects generations by honoring the past while inspiring new stories of identity and belonging.

Amy Mather is the Partnerships Manager at Omaha Public Library. Amy believes in connecting the community through information, storytelling, and relationships. She manages a team of subject librarians who develop programming, outreach, and engagement strategies, and curated collections around community-based interests. She is also responsible for the planning and production of several popular events at Omaha Public Library. Amy completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Mexico and completed her master’s degree in library and information science from Louisiana State University. Though she grew up in West Virginia and has lived in New Mexico, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C., she considers Omaha home.

About the Moderator:

Lauren Martin oversees Partnerships at Amplify Arts. She has devoted her career to building, developing, and activating organizations that enhance our region. Most recently, in her role as Executive Director of Maha Festival, Lauren supported dynamic programming that meaningfully connected people from near and far with Omaha’s creative communities. Her role at Maha – as well as previous roles at the Omaha Community Foundation, Omaha Performing Arts, Hear Nebraska, Saddle Creek Records, and more – helped her understand the systems and structures that support our community’s cultural resources and Omaha’s potential as a place where artists can live, work, and find meaningful support.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Amplify Arts