Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts

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Discover the Artist Within

Cultivating Artists and

Enhancing Voices

Bridging the Gap is a Non-Profit organization dedicated to bringing performing arts to the underserved area of SWFL and beyond.

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From the Founder/Executive Director

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.

Our Mission

Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts is committed to providing an imaginative and innovative space for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artists to learn, grow, and explore the creative arts through live performance, education, place making, storytelling and community connectivity.

Our Vision

BTG’s vision is to become the premier creative arts center in Southwest Florida. Empowering the community to employ the arts as an instrument to affect social and systemic change by: inspiring artists of color to strive for artistic excellence; providing the tools to enhance creativity and build confidence; and serving as a central gathering place for showcasing diverse art forms, cultural offerings, workshops, and community dialogue.

Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)

Non-Discrimination Statement

In the vibrant and diverse region of Southwest Florida, the cultures and talents of our community members often go unrecognized and underappreciated. At Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts, we focus on uplifting the distinct voices and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), recognizing the unique challenges they face and combating the erasure of their cultures. Through providing a platform for artists of color, we empower them to express their stories, explore their heritage, and create new works that inspire and uplift future generations.

While we center our efforts on supporting BIPOC artists, we are committed to inclusivity and welcome individuals of all races, cultures, and ethnicities. Our goal is to foster a collaborative and supportive environment where creativity knows no bounds, and every person can contribute to and learn from the richness of our collective artistic expression. Discrimination in any form will not be tolerated, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all artists and visitors feel valued, respected, and celebrated.

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A Space to Create. A Voice to Share.

Our Values

BTG Core Values:

Education

We are dedicated to delivering high-quality instruction in performance and visual arts, empowering learners with the essential skills to utilize the arts as a means of expressing their experiences, thoughts, and ideas effectively.

Excellence

We are dedicated to delivering outstanding service to our community by ensuring that all our offerings reflect quality, enhance value, and showcase excellence.

Equity and Inclusion

We are dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering an appreciation for and understanding of various cultural and social experiences and perspectives.

Empowerment

We are dedicated to connecting with the community in a manner that promotes trust and respect by actively listening and sharing. Our goal is to empower individuals to express their artistic voices, encouraging open dialogue on issues that can create meaningful change.

Our Goals

Reaching BIPOC Artists and Community

  • Through Community Events and Workshops: Hosting regular events and workshops at the center and in various community locations, including open mic nights, art exhibits, cultural festivals, and educational seminars, to engage directly with artists and the community.
  • Through Collaborations with Local Organizations: Partnering with schools, colleges, local businesses, and community organizations to reach a broader audience, facilitating events, educational programs, and art projects. Through Social Media and Online Presence: Develop a strong online presence on platforms where your target audience is active (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok) to showcase talent, announce events, and create a community around your mission. Use targeted ads to reach specific demographics in Southwest Florida.

Empowering and Educating Artists

  • Through Workshops and classes: Offering workshops on various aspects of the arts, such as acting, writing, directing, and production, led by experienced BIPOC artists and professionals.
  • Through Mentorship programs: Connecting emerging BIPOC artists with established artists for mentorship and guidance in their artistic journeys.
  • Through Educational resources: Developing online resources and tutorials on arts-related topics, accessible to BIPOC artists regardless of location.
  • Through Residencies and fellowships: Offering residencies and fellowships to support BIPOC artists in their creative development and exploration.

Engaging the Community and Fostering Dialogue

  • Through Community engagement events: Organizing events that spark dialogue on social and systemic issues relevant to the BIPOC community, incorporating artistic expression.
  • Through Public forums and discussions: Hosting panel discussions and forums featuring BIPOC artists, activists, and community leaders to address social concerns.
  • Through Arts education programs: Offering arts education programs to diverse audiences, particularly youth, fostering appreciation and understanding of BIPOC art forms and cultural perspectives.
  • Through Volunteer opportunities: Engaging the community through volunteer opportunities in various aspects of BTG's operations, building ownership and connection.

Support Our Cause

Make a donation today to help bridge the gap.

Recurring Donations 70%
One-Time Donations 87%
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01

The Gap

In Lee County, individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds constitute 28% of the population. The county is home to five art centers, yet only two of them actively create opportunities for artists of color to present their work and share their narratives. Additionally, among the 13 theater companies in the area, only three are dedicated to producing plays that represent the rich diversity of our community.
02

The Bridge

Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts seeks to bridge the gap that exists between arts access, education and opportunities for professional and aspiring artists of color of all ages in Lee County.
03

The Need

Creative Space:

  • 2500 TO 3000 SQ FT BUILDING
  • Large open space for performance
  • 1-2 Classrooms space Lobby Space/Art Display
  • State of Art Tech - Teaching Space
  • Office space

Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 31st, 2025

Empowering and Educating Artists

Through Workshops and classes: Offering workshops on various aspects of the arts, such as acting, writing, directing, and production, led by experienced BIPOC artists and professionals.
Learn more

Saturday, January 31st, 2025

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DEL ROSARIO, WANER

Director

A highly motivated and multi-faceted professional with experience spanning the arts, technology, and aviation sectors, Waner Del Rosario brings a unique blend of creative vision, technical expertise, and a passion for community engagement. He has demonstrated an ability to excel in diverse environments, from captivating audiences on stage in theatrical productions such as "Clyde's" and “Noises Off” to leading and managing IT solutions as the founder of Dreniam Technology Solutions, and Technology Education Leader at Lee Health. His commitment to education and community is further evidenced by his role as a Public Speaking instructor at “Camp HSR!”, a homeschool day camp. Being a part of BTG, Waner hopes to leverage his diverse skill set to increase representation and access within the arts community, creating platforms for underrepresented voices and fostering a more inclusive artistic landscape.

GALARZA, IVETTE

Director

Ivette is the Owner/Chief Executive Officer of Ferrer’s Custom Carpentry Services & Remodeling LLC. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to parents of Puerto Rican descent. She moved to Florida at the age of 16 and eventually attained her Master of Social Work from FGCU. She dedicated 27 years of her life to advancing the interests of vulnerable populations across SW Florida. Her most rewarding work was serving at an agency where she was responsible for the oversight and programmatic planning of contracts in excess of $60 million, serving 7000 children across Florida. During this tenure Ivette’s work gained national recognition and she was nominated and elected as Board Chair of the National Head Start Association—one of the largest early education advocacy associations in the Nation.

In 2018 Ivette decided it was time to tap into her entrepreneurial spirit and set out to change the trajectory of how her family saw the concept of generational wealth! She got licensed as a General Contractor and joined her cousins in strengthening a family-owned and operated construction business that today has grown into a Multi-million dollar business.

LINDSEY, ANTWON

Director

Antwon is the Founder of A38 Films and is dedicated to changing lives through compassionate storytelling as a means for ending human suffering. Born and raised in Liberty City, Miami, Antwon Lindsey has always loved literature and film. A firm believer in the saying, "Don't allow your upbringing to dictate your future," Antwon truly believes that "The only person that can stop you from turning your dreams into a reality - is yourself." His mother encouraged him to write and read, with whom he'd often spend time writing stories and remixing the lyrics to their favorite songs. Many people sometimes refer to Antwon as an author, filmmaker, visionary, and even an inspiration. Still, Antwon sees his life as just someone seeking to experience the limitless expression of our collective conscious existence.

HOOD, COTRENIA

Director

Cotrenia Hood is the CEO of Steel Bleu, a business coaching firm specializing in offering companies’ innovative ways to improve organizational productivity.

Cotrenia has over 20 years of proven business development experience. Her wealth of knowledge ranges from working with small businesses to major corporations and nonprofits.

Cotrenia serves on several boards and leadership councils as well as being honored as one of the 2013 Gulfshore Business Magazine’s “40 under 40”, Florida Weekly’s Annual List of Power Women and is a graduate of Leadership Collier. She lives in Naples, Florida where she and her husband, Richard, enjoy raising their two wonderful children.

CLEMONS, TIJUANNA

Director/Secretary

Tijuanna Clemons is the Senior Contract Manager with over 10 years of experience in Project Management. Having spent the previous 13 years on the implementation and review side of things, she was ready for a change. She obtained her master’s in public health degree from Florida A&M University and was fully prepared to take on the challenge. Her initial focus was on grant writing, an area quickly established as necessary to ‘close the funding gap’ for services to low-income children & families. A few years later, grant writing shifted to management where she found a niche to more inclusively apply her skills and passion for supporting underserved populations as a project manager within the Early Childhood Education industry.

Tijuanna played lead and supportive roles in numerous plays and a musical at the Alliance for the Arts Theatre Conspiracy and The Laboratory Theater in SWFL. A few of her favorite roles were “Bertha” in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars; “Doris, the Church Lady” in The Color Purple Musical, and “Mama” in Zora Howard’s Stew. Her hope is that you’ll join her in advancing theater and the arts, particularly for underserved children and families in SWFL through Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts.

BERNARD, LEMEC

Director/Treasurer

Lemec Bernard was born and raised in SWFL and attended college at the University of Central Florida. He is the Owner/Broker of Bernard Realty Group where he helps residents in SWFL buy and sell residential and commercial properties. Bernard is also the Owner and Lead photographer of Snapshot Listing where he specializes in digital content for realtors and interior designers.

MCCARTER, SONYA

Founder/Executive Director

In 2015, very few theaters in Southwest Florida produced plays featuring the stories and experiences of people of color. When Theatre Conspiracy decided to stage The Bluest Eye, she was tasked with finding an African American director with community connections to direct and cast the play. Finding no one, The Bluest Eye became her directorial debut. Additional credits include: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Seven Guitars, A Raisin in the Sun and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, King Hedley II, Race, The Color Purple Musical, The Colored Museum, and Sistas: The Musical. And most recently, Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu and her 7th August Wilson American Century Cycle play, Jitney.

Sonya holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communications, a Master of Arts Degree in Oral Interpretation of Speech, and a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts. Her deepest commitment lies in creating a space that empowers marginalized voices to express their creativity, honor their cultural heritage, and discover the shared connections that bring us together.