Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts (BTG ARTS) is proud to announce its launch and vision to become Southwest Florida’s premier creative arts center dedicated to empowering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists. Our center offers a space where creative arts—through performance, education, place-making, storytelling, and community connectivity—serve as catalysts for social and systemic change.
We are proud to introduce our signature offering, the Joe and Benita North Creative Community Program, an eight-week creative journey providing theatre and visual arts education being held at Riverside Community Center in Fort Myers. These beginner courses offer a fun and supportive introduction to both acting and painting. In the acting portion, students will explore stage movement, voice and diction, improvisation, and character development through games and scene work, building confidence, memorization skills, and stage presence—all leading up to a performance for family and friends. Meanwhile, the painting course guides students through the basics of mixing colors, brush techniques, and developing a personal creative style, with each week building on the last. The course concludes with an art exhibit to celebrate and showcase everyone’s work.
Step into the spotlight with our Adult Acting Class, guided by the visionary Founder, Sonya McCarter. Young performers can find their voice in the Youth Acting Class, led by the dynamic Nikia Cavanaugh of the acclaimed Ya-Ya Club. Meanwhile, creativity takes center stage in our Visual Arts Classes, led by the talented Cheyanne Lewis, a fresh and inspired graduate of FGCU.
Registration is now open, with classes beginning on September 6, 2025. Visit www.btgart.org to register.
WHAT WE AIM TO DO At BTG Art, we are deeply committed to bridging the systemic, cultural, and opportunity gaps that have persisted for ages in the arts. Our mission emphasizes building connections—across generations, communities, and between artistic excellence and social relevance.
FROM THE FOUNDER:
“The arts have the power to entertain, challenge, enlighten, and invigorate both the mind and body. Yet the disparity in access to these enriching experiences continues to grow.”
For the past seven years, I have dedicated myself to bridging the gap in arts education and opportunities for artists of color in Southwest Florida. I firmly believe that our communities are brimming with talented professionals and aspiring artists of color who simply need a dedicated creative space to develop their skills and showcase their work. By partnering with Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts, you can play a crucial role in engaging our community through various forms of expression—including Theater, Dance, Visual Arts, Film, and Playwriting. We are thrilled to embark on this new journey and invite you to join us in providing a platform for marginalized voices to share their creativity, celebrate their culture, and explore the universal connections that unite us all.” Join us in shaping a more inclusive creative future. Visit www.btgart.com to register for classes, donate, or learn how to support artists of color in Southwest Florida.
ABOUT BRIDGING THE GAP CENTER FOR THE ARTS:
Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts is a new nonprofit creative arts center in Southwest Florida dedicated to providing imaginative, innovative, and equitable opportunities for BIPOC artists. Through performance, storytelling, education, and community engagement, BTG Art empowers marginalized voices to drive social change and foster cultural dialogue, place-making, and artistic excellence.
