For Immediate Release September 9, 2011 Information: info@lexingtonartleague.org 859.254.7024 Lexington Art League (LAL) has kicked off a capital campaign to raise funds for a new contemporary art space in the downtown core of Lexington. The space will serve as a satellite gallery to its flagship north side location at the Loudoun House and will continue to provide contemporary art that is for everyone at both locations. LAL envisions not only to open its doors to downtown events and businesses, but also to extend its reach to the broader portion of central Kentucky, impacting regional economic development.   LAL is Lexington’s oldest visual arts organization, starting as a small group of artist friends in 1957. In the 1970s, the group decided to expand its artistic efforts to a wider population and gained its 501-(c)-3 non-profit status. During the 1980s, LAL began to organize professionally curated art exhibitions, which became a part of Lexington tradition and history, like the Nude and the Woodland Art Fair. And in the past 10 years, LAL has undergone a strategic planning process which has enabled the organization to progress into one which prides itself in providing a unique offering of contemporary art as well as community engagement through visual art. In addition to providing art that is now to Central Kentucky (involving thousands of working artists at the local, national and international level), LAL also provides art that is engaging and inclusive through its community engagement programs. LAL helps organize free programs like Side by Side, Witness, Master Class, Lexington as Home, and Castlewood Community Center Summer Fun Camps- engaging children with disabilities, survivors of intimate partner violence or sexual assault, high school art students, low-income families transitioning to affordable homes, and at-risk youth. LAL also provides opportunities for the community to learn and grow through visual art with free lectures and free guided tours of the exhibitions as well as professionally taught workshops. LAL also presents events like 4th Friday, Art Fever, the Nude Opening Preview Party and Woodland Art Fair so our community can use art as a tool for networking and understanding each other. Stephanie Harris, LAL’s Executive Director said of the capital campaign, “This expansion represents the beginning of a bright future for our organization as we establish this new contemporary gallery space in the heart of Lexington.  We are so fortunate to have the support of our community and its leadership as we take this bold step towards a new chapter at LAL. The expansion will provide our organization with an opportunity to reach a broader segment of our community through meaningful interactions with contemporary art.” To make a contribution to the future of Lexington’s oldest visual arts organization, find the way that works best for you below. And read more about LAL on Good Giving.

1. Contribute securely online       2. Mail check, money order or credit card information      (VISA, Mastercard, Discover) to:       LAL @ Loudoun House       209 Castlewood Drive       Lexington, KY 40505 3. Contribute with an LAL Representative      Call 859.254.7024 or visit LAL @ Loudoun House Back to top Images: Centrifugal Composition by Ian Michael Magargee from Paintpresent (LAL Exhibition, 2009); Homenaje a Maria Isavel (Homage to Maria Isavel) by Diane Kahlo from Crossings (LAL Exhibition, 2011) On the Auspicious Occasion of Arriving in San Francisco by Brett Walker from Alternate Selves (LAL Exhibition, 2010) Transmigration by Ralph Slatton from Creatures Great and Small (LAL Exhibition, 2010) Pomegranate with Bronze by Catherine Lay from Generously Odd: Craft Now (LAL Exhibition, 2009) Over There? by Don Luper from The Nude LAL Exhibition, (2011) Destiny and Adventures in the Opposite Direction by Mike Calway-Fagen from KY.7 Biennial (LAL Exhibition, 2010) Bound to Love by Annie Strader from Love and Things Like Love (LAL Exhibition, 2011)