It may look like a parking lot behind the Art Center of the Bluegrass, but it’s actually becoming much more.

Work is taking place on a project that is turning the lot into a work of art, as well as a space that can be used for many local events, according to Nikki Kinkade, executive director of the center.

“This is being created based on a first rendition that we saw in the overall downtown master plan that was created a couple of years ago, and it was activating this back parking lot space,” Kinkade said. “We thought it looked like a great idea, particularly during covid.”

The project is a partnership between the center and the city of Danville, according to Kinkade. She said the city has helped financially and otherwise, including with a lighting structure above the space that will be lit daily for the community.

Kinkade said there will be many events in the space hosted by the art center, including classes, programs, and more.

“It’s not just a mural, per se, it’s the whole space,” she said of the project. “We’re getting permission and putting in an application to have a mural put at the end of the parking lot space on Nancy Davis’ building, and the whole space will be activated and usable. The space will be lit for people to enjoy the downtown area, for our programming as well as potentially putting out some cones and chairs and saying, ‘Come enjoy the space’ on any given evening. We’re definitely going to have things like a coffee house series, poetry readings, and more.”

The first event in the space will be the art center’s “Go Van Gogh!” event, which is set for Sept. 25. See the sidebar with this article for more on “Go Van Gogh!” activities. Kinkade said other events are also planned and more information will be announced soon.

For more information, visit the Art Center of the Bluegrass website at www.artcenterky.org.