Celebrating Creativity
The Impact of ArtBridge and ArtStorming
First, a heartfelt thank you to all my guests and listeners for supporting this project so far. When I began this journey, I had no idea it would evolve into such a labor of love. As you’ll hear, it was truly a leap of faith.
Almost exactly a year ago, we released our first episode. Now, 30 episodes later, with over 2,600 downloads from 29 countries and 345 cities, I’m still in awe of how it has all unfolded. Much of this magic can be attributed to Santa Fe, the City Different, here in the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico. As the saying goes, Santa Fe either draws you in or spits you out. When I paused here eight years ago, I couldn’t have predicted what plans this enchanting city had for me, but it certainly had its own agenda.
My journey began with a five-month solo road trip I called my "Art Across America" tour—part research, part self-exploration. I was scouting locations for an art travel business I planned to launch, Urban Art Tripping. Along the way, I experienced a streak of magic that ultimately led me back to Santa Fe, a place I once thought I’d never return to after my mother’s tragic death.
Upon returning, I immersed myself in the rich art community, planning immersive excursions that would connect people with artists and foster meaningful conversations. However, just as I was set to launch, COVID-19 changed everything. The world had shifted, and I found myself grappling with the question: What now?
In the midst of isolation, inspiration struck. During a walk on the beach, I listened to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s podcast, Wiser than Me, and realized the power of conversations with creatives. I envisioned a podcast—ArtStorming—that would connect people to their own creativity and foster community through shared experiences.
What began as a small idea blossomed into something much greater. With encouragement from my family, I established ArtBridge as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to support this vision. I assembled a board, dove into learning about podcast production, and soon recorded my first interviews with local artists.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the project took off. Now, as we approach the culmination of Season 1, I’m excited to announce our collaboration with the Center for Contemporary Arts Santa Fe for the Collaboration Lab. This four-part series of panel discussions will explore how creativity can address community challenges. We aim to mobilize partnerships and actionable ideas that can uplift our creative communities during these tumultuous times.
If you're local, I invite you to join us for these live events. If not, stay tuned for the podcast recordings that will capture these vital conversations. This event will happen in July 2025 and I’ll be posting more details in the near future.
Looking ahead, Season 2 will broaden our scope, exploring themes of Art, Legacy, and Death as Muse. We’re even planning a traveling exhibition titled Remains to be Seen. Future seasons will delve into topics like Neurodiversity, Art and War, and Art and the Environment, ensuring we tackle meaningful and important conversations that demand our attention.
So, that's my story so far. I hope you'll tune in, share these conversations, and engage with our mission to cultivate curiosity and imagination. Join our Arts Corps—think Peace Corps for the arts—and let’s explore the transformative power of creativity together.
Thank you, and Art On!
Lili Pierrepont, ArtBridge Executive Director
