The Stairwell Space is an artist-led, mission driven alternative art space in Bridgeport, CT situated in the historic American Fabrics Arts Building. Inhabiting the building’s original entrance, a grand marble foyer that features a two-story spiral staircase, we aim to contextualize and champion the work of local, regional, and national artists, cultivating meaningful conversations about art and culture.
We seek to build an ethos for innovation and advancement of the visual arts by providing an alternative gallery space to foster and facilitate artists to elevate their work, provoke dialog, and contribute to the greater conversation of the Arts.
Our mission is to advance the visual arts, elevate under-represented artists, and foster community engagement through innovative exhibitions and educational programming. to unite and expand the visual arts community in Connecticut through cultivating new opportunities, perspectives, curators and collectors from New York City and other renowned art hubs around the country. We seek to galvanize Bridgeport as an incubator for forward thinking artists and patrons of the arts. We mount exhibitions that prioritize under-represented, marginalized artists emerging artists regardless of age, education or gender, that are actively engaged in pushing the boundaries of their practices.
Through public events and educational outreach,
The Stairwell Space also plans to engage with local residents and create art outreach programs within the Bridgeport Public School System. These programs will provide content and funding for local visual arts after-school and summer programs.
The Stairwell Space is located at 1069 Connecticut Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06607, through the main entrance on CT Avenue. TSS is 90 minutes from Grand Central Station, NYC on Metro North's New Haven line and a 5 minute drive/Uber from the station. If driving, TSS is off Exit 30 on I95, and the Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Ferry port is a 5 minute drive to the gallery.
Ample parking is available and we are equipped with an temporary ADA compliant access ramp at the front entrance, and an wheel-chair accessible elevator to the 2nd floor which allows access to the gallery’s second level.
CURATORIAL OPEN CALL 2025
The Stairwell Space is pleased to announce our very first curatorial open call. Gallery Director, Linda Colletta, will select multiple curatorial proposals for exhibitions opening between April 2025 -December of 2026. Perks of this opportunity include an opening event, public programming (an artist/curator talk and a closing event), promotion on all social media outlets (@thestairwellspace, @amfabarts, @lindacolletta), professional exhibition photography, and a $500 curator honorarium. The Stairwell Space also covers the cost of shipping artworks, marketing materials, exhibition supplies and event provisions.
Who can apply: TSS invites curatorial proposals from artists and curators, in any discipline, age and geographic location. We are looking for provocative and innovative ideas. Proposals should include a minimum of 2 artists (which may include or exclude the curator).
Logistics: TSS Director will work with the selected curator/s in the planning and execution of all logistics from opening to closing of shows. The curator is required to fully participate in the exhibitions' installation and deinstallation. The curator will be selected based on the quality of their proposal and demonstrated ability to mount a successful exhibition.
To see images of the spaces and a floor plan, please click here.
Application fee: $25
Venmo @Linda-Colletta
Zelle lindafcolletta@gmail.com
Your application fee helps to support TSS 2025-26 programming and make opportunities like this possible. If you're experiencing hardship and cannot pay the application fee, we offer a number of waived fee applications, so please email lindafcolletta@gmail.com for assistance.
Dates:
Application Opens: CLOSED
Application Deadline: CLOSED
Notification: March 5th 2025