Free 250Lex event to focus on connections between arts and health

Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.

For the second year, LexArts will host a symposium that will look at the connection between arts and health.

Sponsored in part by 250Lex, Lexington’s year-long celebration of its 250th anniversary, the Nov. 22 Arts and Health symposium will explore and explain what studies have found the arts can do for people’s physical and mental health. The program is free and open to the public.

“Two years ago we started the Arts and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky, and we are sharing what that group has come up with, as well as the work that we’ve done in arts and health in Lexington and will be providing resources, both on how the arts can be used like for your own well-being and for community well-being, and then also providing artists with knowledge about how to start working in these spaces,” said Arden Barnes, LexArts’ special programs manager.

The symposium begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday with breakfast and registration, followed by a dance session led by Allegra Dance Studio that will accommodate people of all abilities, Barnes said.

From there, attendees will listen to presentations and engage with interactive workshops and discussions that look at how creative practices can support mental, emotional and physical health across diverse settings. The day is designed to promote collaboration and inspire innovative approaches to health and healing through the arts.

At 11:15 a.m., attendees will hear from Alexandria Rodriguez, board certified music therapist and community relations coordinator at CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, who will discuss the work she’s been doing to incorporate the arts into healing and health.

The goal is to discuss every art form, and accommodate as many people as possible, “so that everybody has something to be inspired by and learn from,” Barnes said.

“We really want anybody that’s interested in the arts and health at all, even remotely interested, to feel welcome and come and learn more and to network with others,” Barnes said.

In addition to 250Lex, the event is also sponsored by the Lexington Clinic, CHI St. Joseph Health and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky.

The symposium will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the LexArts building, 106 N. Main Street. Registration is encouraged, but participants can also register at the door. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.