Changemaker: Barbara Bridges, Founder and Director, Art to Change the World

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos supplied

Barbara BridgesBarbara Bridges is a true changemaker in our community. She’s a sculptor, a mentor, an educator and a motivator. While she has been an artist and a teacher/college professor for over 40 years (her sculptures have been exhibited in Maine, Miami, the Virgin Islands, Maryland, Chicago, Mexico, Spain, Canada, and throughout Minnesota), it’s her work with Art to Change the World that demonstrates how one person can make a huge difference in one person’s life or in a community. She inspires me – how about you?  

Q:  I read on the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) webpage that you're an intervenor - that any object already has a story to tell. Please tell us about your art practice as a sculptor and intervenor.

A:  I have always been attracted to objects with a history. Perhaps the patina acquired by an object which has survived for a long time in our world is a comforting contrast to the current impermanence of our digital existence. As artists, I believe we find objects already holding a story (this includes, paints, stone and inks) and then we re-combine and arrange these objects to create a new narrative. In my practice, I also like to fancy I am saving these objects from landfills by becoming the intervenor as I re-purpose, re-cycle and re-create.

Q:  You're the Founder and Director of Art to Change the World. Please tell us the history and mission of your organization. What are some of your programs?

A:  I am an intervenor in my artist life but in my professional life, I am an educator (which is just another kind of intervenor!). I was an art teacher for 20 years and then I served Bemidji State University as a professor for 20 years where I designed the first online/hybrid teacher licensure program in the nation. It is still going with over 200 students and 12 professors. I trained teachers - in a very different way. On retirement, I knew I needed to be busy and I wanted to use the skillsets I had acquired in my journey.

I dreamed of an arts organization which was inclusive of everyone. I dreamed of a social justice organization which would use Art…well…To Change the World! Currently, we have almost 500 members ages 19-103. We are a positive, non-competitive, collaborative community that supports equity practices across disciplines, cultures, age, race, economics and abilities. Our members include both established and emerging artists.

ACW is committed to recruiting youth, underserved and BIPOC members and providing them access to stipends and leadership roles. Glitter Renaissance is a new divergent under-40 group within the Art to Change the World collective.

A GoFundMe page is set up to support young ACW members and their 2022/2023 projects. Every $10 helps!

We have so many examples of programs!

2021/2022 Coaching Project for a Better World. Three youth candidates were assigned one artist and one scientist coach. Each team of three works symbiotically to develop and implement a social justice ACW project which will engage 50-100 community members. Three teams. Participants are paid $1,200 each.  $3,000.00 per team for project supplies. The power of art and science to change the conversation – and the world.

In 2019 COMPASSIONATE ARTS was ACW-facilitated artmaking project between the police, and students and faculty of South High School. SOUTH’S HEART project created a family engagement center with students, Somali and Latinx community members, administration, and school counselors. The participants were 90% BIPOC.

In 2019 we hosted INVENT/PRESENT, a “Healing from Trauma” workshop for 20 BIPOC high school age participants offered at Homewood Studios.

In 2018 ACW hosted SEE.SAY.DO. We had 700 attendees, nine performances, seven workshops, 20 artists and 20 expert voices over a two-week period. All participants were paid $250 and the event was free to attend. Artists worked with their experts to explore their art topic and 200 action promises were collected.

Q:  ACW is in the middle of a collaboration with Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) - One River's Trash/The Same River's Treasure. Could you please tell us more about the project?

A:  Our MWMO’s Stewardship Fund Program grant leads 10 people (diverse culturally and by age) to meet, collect trash along the Mississippi and participate in an immersive curriculum unit and then create a sculpture which will be collaboratively created by Barbara and the participants themselves. The participants are: Frances Bates, Amada Marquez Simula, Greg Volker, Margo Ashmore, Annie Merrell, Neil Granlund, Katherine Boyce, Alexis Schramel, Kelly Frankenberg and Kevin Reich. Read More about the MWMO project here.

Photos from the September trash collection day:

Barbara, Kelly and Annie on the Northeast RiverKeepers boat during trash pick up day.

Q:  What's the schedule for the project?

A:  In September we collected ‘trash’ on the Mississippi River. This month, we create the artwork. In November and beyond, we show the work. Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Avenue N, will premiere the work on November 11, 2022 5:00-8:00 PM. The public is invited to this ACW Happening – we can’t wait to show the works of our participants. ACW is famous for our creative snacks and beverages. This sculpture will be highly interactive and informational. Insider Tip: It is taking on a very throne-like look. There is a metaphor buried in there, I am sure!

We are seeking 1-2 month installations in public areas. The work is highly interactive and elegant and there is no fee to the venue to exhibit the works. Please spread the word on this program, and email info@arttochangetheworld.org if you would like to participate.

Q:  This project echoes your ethos to "recycle, repurpose and create." Do you hope the participants carry your beliefs forward?

A:  Absolutely. The MWMO participants will be encouraged to submit a proposal to the ACW Task Force. This is how all ACW projects start.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please do follow our news and come to our events! Our Events and Projects page always lists ongoing projects. We’re on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

All members of planet earth are invited to receive our monthly Newsletters FREE - send a request to info@arttochangetheworld.org. Check out past Newsletters. Please note - we do not use our Newsletter list for recruiting or any other commercial purpose.