The Lexington Art League

Mission

The Lexington Art League creates opportunities for Lexington area artists and those who appreciate their work. We do this by presenting an engaging and diverse exhibition program, sponsoring public events, providing arts education, and creating productive partnerships with other individuals and organizations.

Vision

To empower and sustain a vibrant and inclusive visual arts community in Lexington and the Bluegrass region. ​

History

The Lexington Art League was founded in 1957 as a membership organization for visual artists from Lexington and the surrounding area. Beginning in the 1970s, the Lexington Art League began a partnership with the city’s parks and recreation department to produce the annual Woodland Art Fair, which remains one of the largest such events in Kentucky after more than forty years. After years of progress, the League moved into the historic Loudoun House at Lexington’s Castlewood park in 1984. The Loudoun House provided the league with expanded gallery space and several studios for member artists. In 1988, the League opened its first installment of “The Nude,” an exhibition featuring works that explored and celebrated the human form. For many years thereafter, “The Nude” remained a signature annual event on the Kentucky art scene. "The Nude" is currently an alternating biennial with the Lexington Art League Members' Exhibition.

In 2019 the Lexington Art League underwent a mission change to better support Kentucky based artists and help our local arts community thrive.