Fostering Lincoln's Community Builders: First Friday at The Foundry
The Foundry exists for moments like this, mission-driven nonprofits, powerful literary education, and a gallery of original art for the Lincoln community to enjoy. This month, that vision came to life when Foundry Member Linked2Literacy hosted its First Friday event at The Foundry, drawing inspiration from Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street. What unfolded was exactly the kind of collaboration the Foundry was built to make possible.
Art, Story, and Community Under One Roof
The evening was centered on the themes of identity, belonging, and the spaces that define us. Attendees explored the gallery throughout The Foundry, spoke with creators about their pieces, and participated in a community bookmark showcase designed to connect literature with lived experience. Interactive programming throughout the night gave guests structured opportunities for reflection and conversation, turning a gallery visit into a genuine community exchange. The Foundry is grateful and proud to be a space in which these exchanges happen and grow beyond.
Building Community, Cultivating Belonging
The Foundry didn't just serve as a venue for this event, it helped activate it. Linked2Literacy's membership in the Foundry is itself part of the story, its being embedded in a shared physical space alongside other mission-driven people and organizations. This proximity matters. The relationships that form within the Foundry are what make an event like this possible, not as a standalone production, but as a natural extension of a community that already exists.
“What made the evening so special was seeing months of community experiences and partnerships woven together in one place. Guests of all ages could “read the walls,” reflect, create, and feel connected to the larger story of the project. As tenants, we already love being surrounded by creativity at The Foundry, but this event transformed the space into a living reflection of collaboration, storytelling, and community connection. It was a beautiful display that literacy is not just about books. It is about identity, voice, art, and creating spaces where people feel seen and inspired.”
- Kathleen Ousey, Executive Director at Linked2Literacy (pictured above right)
This is one of the Foundry's main objectives, not to be a backdrop, but to be a bridge, between nonprofits and the audiences they're trying to reach, between local organizations and the community events that make Lincoln's creative economy possible.
To learn more about the Foundry Community’s impact, coworking model, and resources, visit thefoundry.co or email hello@thefoundry.co.
