Bridge Work is a mentorship program that provides vital professional development opportunities to emerging artists.
In partnership with the Urban Arts Collective and the Lexington Arts League, 2nd Story is launching Bridge Work: Lexington, a 9-month program that cultivates the next steps for emerging artists to advance their professional practices.
Through mentorship, we provide advice and guidance to elevate their artistic output, implement disciplined work habits, strengthen their professional networks, and develop the skills and experiences necessary to navigate the broader arts ecology.
Artists will receive a free studio space for the duration of the program; have opportunities to meet a range of art world professionals through talks, critiques, and studio visits; participate in facilitated workshops; and present their work in local and regional exhibitions.
We actively fosters a more interconnected arts community by linking to existing Bridge Work cohorts in Milwaukee and Madison (Wisconsin) and Grand Rapids (Michigan), and by facilitating meaningful artistic exchanges and dialogs among artists and art-oriented leaders and organizations.
Image: Bridge Work alum, Dominic Chambers, talking with a visitor during a BW exhibition reception in Milwaukee, WI.
Partners and Collaborators
Bridge Work: Lexington is hosted by 2nd Story, in partnership with Project Ricochet’s Urban Art Collective and the Lexington Art League.
The program is in collaboration with Bridge Work cohorts hosted by Plum Blossom Initiative, (Milwaukee, WI); Art and Lit Lab (Madison, WI); and Cultivate (Grand Rapids, MI).
More about our partners
The Urban Art Collective, an initiative of Project Ricochet, fosters creativity, community engagement, and cultural enrichment within Fayette County.
Through a series of inclusive programming initiatives, the project seeks to remove barriers to resources that adults and families need to thrive, particularly in the areas of artistic expression, social connectivity, and access to cultural opportunities.
The Urban Art Collective is committed to addressing equity gaps in Fayette County by deliberately designing its programming to be inclusive and accessible to individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, racial and ethnic groups, as well as those with recovery or re-entry status. UAC offers free or low-cost programming to ensure financial constraints do not prevent individuals from participating. This approach removes barriers related to socioeconomic status, allowing individuals of all income levels to access cultural and artistic resources.
The Urban Art Collective actively recruits and showcases artists from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, ensuring representation and visibility for marginalized communities. By amplifying diverse voices and perspectives, the Urban Art Collective promotes inclusivity and cultural diversity within Fayette County's artistic landscape. The Urban Art Collective prioritizes community engagement efforts in underserved neighborhoods and communities with limited access to resources. Through targeted outreach and partnerships with community organizations, the project ensures that programming reaches individuals who may face systemic barriers to participation due to socioeconomic factors or racial disparities. For individuals with recovery or re-entry status, the Urban Art Collective offers opportunities for creative expression and community connection as a means of empowerment and self-expression. By providing a supportive environment for artistic exploration and skill development, the project helps individuals rebuild their sense of identity and agency beyond their past experiences.
The Urban Art Collective designs culturally relevant programming that reflects the cultural heritage and lived experiences of Fayette County's diverse communities. By centering the voices and narratives of underrepresented groups, the Urban Art Collective fosters a sense of belonging and validation for individuals who may feel marginalized or excluded from mainstream cultural institutions. Through these intentional efforts, the Urban Art Collective aims to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more equitable and inclusive cultural landscape in Fayette County, where individuals of all backgrounds have equal opportunities to engage with and contribute to the arts.
For more information, please visit: www.projectricochet.org
The Lexington Art League creates opportunities for Lexington-area artists and those who appreciate their work.
The Lexington Art League presents an engaging and diverse exhibition program, sponsors public events, provides arts education, and creates productive partnerships with other individuals and organizations.
The organization was founded in 1957 as a membership organization for visual artists from Lexington and the surrounding area. Beginning in the 1970s, the Lexington Art League began a partnership with the city’s parks and recreation department to produce the annual Woodland Art Fair, which remains one of the largest such events in Kentucky after more than forty years. After years of progress, the League moved into the historic Loudoun House at Lexington’s Castlewood park in 1984. The Loudoun House provided the league with expanded gallery space and several studios for member artists.