Last month, the @utahmuseumoffinearts hosted an opening reception for its presentation of the cohort-organized exhibition “Many Wests.” Representatives from Art Bridges Cohort Program partners @boiseartmuseum, @jsmauo, @americanart, and @whatcom_museum were in attendance in addition to staff from Art Bridges. The group then traveled to experience Robert Smithson’s iconic “Spiral Jetty,” which took on an otherworldly aspect in the wintery weather. The following day was spent together in discussion during the cohort’s annual professional development convening. ...

In fall 2022, the @riverfrontmuseum hosted the Art Bridges organized exhibition, Andy Warhol: Endangered Species. The exhibition inspired the creation of “Project Fashion Show”, the museum’s first-ever fashion show.

Working with local partners, the @peoria.art.guild , the @therealpeoriazoo, and @wildlifeprairiepark , the museum built a multi-prong program, where high school students designed and constructed garments, produced and competed in a fashion show. While working on their designs, they learned about conservation and rehabilitation efforts of partner organizations. They also enjoyed mentorship from early career designers and community building whilst emerging from pandemic isolation.

We love that Project Fashion Show provided a unique opportunity for the teens to gain collaboration and time management skills through the lens of fashion design and show production. The museum embraced fashion as a site of self-expression, identity formation and experimentation.

Image: A model sports an original ensemble designed by a Project Fashion Show participant. Courtesy of the Peoria Art Museum, 2022. ...