LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky will host its inaugural UK Art Trail, a self-guided art walk across campus from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, according to University of Kentucky News. The event, hosted by the College of Design, College of Fine Arts, UK Arts in HealthCare program and UK Art Museum, invites students, faculty, staff and members of the Lexington community to explore artistic work distributed across multiple campus locations.

The Art Trail will feature five gallery stops showcasing exhibitions and collections. Participating locations include the UK Art Museum in the Singletary Center for the Arts, UK Chandler Hospital with exhibits on the ground and first floors of Pavillion A, the Gray Design Building Gallery, Bolivar Art Gallery in the School of Art and Visual Studies, and the Great Hall Gallery in the Gatton Student Center. Event maps will be available for pickup at the Gatton Student Center information desk, Gray Design Building, the School of Art and Visual Studies building and the UK Art Museum.

Participants who visit at least three featured stops and collect stamps at each location will be eligible to receive a free exclusive piece of artwork by a UK faculty member, available for pickup at the UK Art Museum while supplies last. The event is free and open to the public.

Bryce Chatwin, art curator for UK Auxiliary Services and one of the Art Trail organizers, described the event as an opportunity to celebrate the visual arts and support creative students. "The yearly event that will be held surrounding the UK Art Trail is an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate the visual arts that enliven our campus," Chatwin said. Organizers have plans to grow the event into a recurring celebration, with future activities potentially including film screenings and art-making activities along the trail.

Beyond the April event, the UK Art Trail will serve as a permanent public art experience with maps available year-round in participating locations, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. The event is sponsored by the UK Office of the Provost's IMPACT grant as part of the "Expanding the University of Kentucky Arts Ecosystem" project.