Earlier this year, Heartland B-cycle partnered with Kent Bellows Mentoring Program on a very special project. Teens in the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program (KBMP) got the chance to design and then bring to life a Heartland B-cycle bike. The young artists dreamed up their bikes earlier this Fall and have been diligently working on bringing their creations to life.
The art bikes were created by Mya Egan, Violeta Jacinto, Abi Laluk, Ellie Maguire, Sophie Manzitto, Allison Peyton, Gabrielle Washington, & Anthony Zaner. This past Friday, six of the ten bikes were showcased in "Below Zero | A Young Artist Exhibition". The exhibition featured work from all of the teen artists in the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program. The art bikes are prominently on display right near the entrance of the Kent Bellows Studio Gallery. Two of the bikes will be vinyl wrapped with wishbones, the symbol of the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program. The wraps were created by
Spoken Art LLC Bicycle Wraps who are experts in bike wrapping. They have done custom bike wraps for bike share programs around the country and were created to perfectly fit the frames of our classic B-cycles.
Part transportation, part public art, the bikes will become a usable part of the Heartland B-cycle system come Spring. These bikes will be joined by bikes that will be created by the Union for Contemporary Art's Action Brigade students this Spring. Once the art bikes are all assembled, they will be launched into our system for the entire Omaha Metro to enjoy. The Heartland B-cycle team is also working to showcase the bikes at community events throughout the city this summer.
More information about the art bikes will be provided as it comes available. Until then, you can check out the bikes created by the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program students for a limited time, the bikes will be on display at Kent Bellows Studio Gallery until January 12th.
KBS Gallery (3303 Leavenworth)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 11 am-4 pm by appointment. Call
402.661.3852 to schedule a viewing.