Kickstarting a Local Gallery for Artists

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Overview

In 2011, in collaboration with Bandwagon Magazine, I launched a local gallery to provide emerging student artists with a space to showcase their work. Over the course of a year, we hosted and planned monthly exhibitions, offering artists not only the opportunity to display their work but also hands-on experience in curating and organizing their own shows. This initiative helped foster a creative community, spotlighting local talent while giving artists the tools and confidence to build skillsets in curation of artistic expression, communication, and creative business acumen.

Human-Centered Approach

Recognizing the need for accessible emerging artist exhibition spaces, I took a hands-on approach to make the gallery as inclusive and supportive as possible. I led artist outreach, ensuring a diverse group of creatives could participate. By guiding students through the curation process—planning layouts, setting up displays, and promoting their work—I helped empower them with tactical creative career skills. Community engagement was also a key focus, with First Fridays serving as a monthly celebration that brought artists, art lovers, and local businesses together in a shared cultural experience along a central business district.

Impact

The Bandwagon gallery provided emerging artists with an essential platform to gain visibility, build confidence, and connect with the local arts community. Many students who participated had their first public exhibition experience, learning valuable lessons in curation, promotion, and event organization. Beyond the artists, the initiative strengthened community ties, fostering appreciation for local talent and creating an ongoing dialogue between creatives and their audience. Though the gallery itself was a one-year project, its influence continued as many participants carried forward the skills and relationships formed during this time.

Partners

• Bandwagon Magazine