Image

The Partnership for Worker Education (PWE) invites all UMass staff members to share their creative work at the 2026 Building Bridges Annual Showcase Event, which will take place on Tuesday, April 7, at the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts.

Inaugurated in 2017, Building Bridges is a collaboration among the Partnership for Worker Education, Civic Engagement and Service-Learning, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion that has created a campus-wide public art and engagement initiative drawing on the power of solidarity and creative expression to bring people together and create a bridge across difference. 

Now in its ninth year, the Showcase Event – organized by the Showcasing Worker Artists at UMass group and the PWE – has become an annual gathering where staff and their creative talents take center stage. All university staff members are invited to define how creativity appears in their lives. Whether through sand art, gardening, woodworking, mixed media, journaling, food making, bookbinding, painting, drawing, songwriting, storytelling, metalwork, fly tying, knitting, poetry, music, or anything else, all are encouraged to share their work for the showcase.

The 2025 Showcase Event featured creative work from more than 90 UMass staff members, across campus (both active and retired), representing over 40 different offices and departments. The variety of work included 16th century garment design, miniature figures, wool spinning, pencil drawings, poetry, photography, music performances and more.

This year’s art installation and showcase will be on view from noon-7 p.m., and will feature an opening reception, artist demonstrations and workshops, and performances scheduled throughout the afternoon.

To express interest in participating, complete this short survey by Monday, March 16. For any questions, contact the PWE’s Nyari Changamire at [email protected].