The Building Bridges Worker Artists at UMass group cordially invites the campus community and public to the 8th annual Building Bridges Showcase Event on April 1st from 12 - 7 at the Bromery Center for the Arts. This is a day-long event that features the creative work of more than 50 UMass staff members – they host workshops, art demonstrations, perform, and share their creative work with the community. We have more than 40 Co-Sponsors and each year draw upwards of 500 people – including members of the community and family members and neighbors of participating artists. We will have a great diversity of creative work on display from our Worker Artist group – stained-glass, fly-fishing flies, chainmail, medieval costumes, felting, beadwork, quilting, mosaics, mixed-media and more. The exhibition also includes large-scale displays from the Our Immigrant Voices group, using participatory action research to share personal narratives, images, storytelling.

The showcase will also feature creative work from this year’s the Random Acts of Kindness Through Art campaign. This campaign is based on the premise that giving the community something beautiful, handmade, and meaningfully crafted brings joy to both the artist and the recipient. The art, which is printed on card stock and features the creative work of campus employees, includes photographs, mixed media, illustrations, jewelry making, and more. Campus members are invited to view artwork and pick up free art at the annual showcase. You can also find your FREE Art cards around campus at IALS, the Physical Plant, Crotty Hall, Gordon Hall, Library 7th floor, Wilder Hall, Furcolo, South College lobby area, and more coming soon! Cards are limited edition and available through April 1st.  

Catered receptions for the annual showcase begin at 12:30pm and 4:30 p.m. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend.   

Building Bridges draws on the power of solidarity and creative expression to bring people together and create a bridge across difference. This is a collaborative effort among the Office of Equity and Inclusion, Partnership for Worker Education, Office of Human Resources and Civic Engagement and Service-Learning.