Artist Chloe Hoffschneider grew up in a small rural town in Nebraska, where she began creating art from a young age, inspired by the sense of belonging she felt with other young artists. She then lived in Lincoln, Nebraska for four years, where she worked in mental health services, helping run a small art collective and underground music venue whenever she had free time. There, she had the opportunity to paint a mural and run a book-binding workshop. 

Hoffschneider moved to Omaha, and currently attends the University of Nebraska at Omaha, majoring in Art Education. She creates her works at the University, in the comfort of her home, and at local coffee shops. She primarily is a painter using mostly watercolor, but she enjoys all types of art, from fiber arts to film photography. 

She is largely motivated to create art as a means of self-expression and as a way to connect with people. Through her experiences in mental health services and education, Hoffschneider has seen first-hand how art can transform people’s lives, which drives her to continue creating and teaching art whenever she has the opportunity. 

Her most current works center around class issues and identity. Hoffschneider's art has been exhibited at Jake’s Cigars through BFF Omaha and at Meadowlark Coffee and Espresso. She also has a written work about her identity as a queer woman in the 2025 Experiences in Femininity publication through UNO and has just finished her second practicum at Omaha Public Schools.

I create art using a variety of mediums, but watercolor is often my medium of choice due to its accessibility. I typically paint with bright, warm colors, influenced by the warmth of nostalgic childhood memories.

Insects are a recurring focal point in my work. As a child, I was an explorer, often spending hours catching and observing them with curiosity and fascination. As I grew older, I came to understand the vital ecological roles these small creatures play and how deeply they contribute to the world around us. By centering them in my art, I invite viewers to take a closer look at something they might otherwise overlook or even avoid. My goal is to challenge discomfort and spark curiosity, changing perspectives of what is typically seen as insignificant.

More recently, my work has expanded to explore themes of class. Just as I use insects to highlight hidden beauty and significance, I now focus on everyday objects, particularly those tied to working-class life. A collection of worn, mismatched furniture, for example, can become a visual testament to resourcefulness, resilience, and the eclectic beauty found in what is often dismissed as ordinary.

These two themes, bugs and everyday objects, are rooted in the same place: comforting images from my childhood. By painting them again and again, I’ve been able to reflect on them through a broader social lens and uncover their deeper meaning. In doing so, I hope to encourage viewers to reconsider the overlooked elements of their own lives and find beauty and meaning in the everyday.

I find that this exploration is necessary for me to express myself and find connections within my local community. As an art educator, I want to share my passion for art with students in the hopes that it drives community action. Considering myself a lifelong learner is essential for me to become a successful teacher. Throughout my career as an artist and teacher, I intend to collaborate with my local community as much as possible. I want to learn from the people around me so that I can better use art for teaching and community activism. 

I am particularly interested in creating art sustainably, using accessible materials. I want to be able to show my students that art can be both accessible and sustainable even beyond the resources provided by school.