Creative Bond

A new residency offering artists a platform to share their talents with their communities

Creative Bond provides local artists with space and funding to host workshops, exhibits, performances and more in St. Lydia’s storefront at 304 Bond Street in Brooklyn. As our Gowanus neighborhood transforms, this new arts residency allows St. Lydia’s to open its doors to neighbors in new ways, demonstrate our investment in the creative flourishing of our neighborhood and city, and foster the vital work of artists across disciplines.

One of St. Lydia’s strengths is our congregation's diverse creativity. Congregants are visual artists, writers, playwrights, dancers, architects, musicians, singers, and more. The arts inform our worship and identity: we appreciate the arts' importance and want to offer a valuable resource — our space — to those who wish to have a place to work or showcase their talents, even for works in process. Through this, Creative Bond, and its host, St. Lydia's, hopes neighbors and artists can find fresh ways to connect. You are very welcome here!

To learn more or inquire about featuring your art through this program, email creativebond@stlydias.org.

  • The Creative Bond is made possible through a generous grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

  • Yes, just show up! If you know you plan to attend, you can email creativebond@stlydias.org in advance to let us know you’ll be joining.

  • We are hoping to connect with all kinds of artists across many disciplines, locally in Gowanus but also across greater NYC. If you would like your story or your work to be featured, please reach out to program director Deborah Chi

  • Check out our calendar page to see upcoming events! It doesn’t hurt to follow St. Lydia’s on instagram, too.

Featured Creatives:

Deborah Chi

Program Director

Deborah Chi is a Brooklyn-based educator and artist. She has academic degrees in art (BFA), philosophy, theology & ethics (MTS, STM), and in policy (MPA). Her interest is in the intersection of the arts, ethics, aesthetics, social justice and community organizing.

Jack Holloway

Elizabeth Laura Nelson

Rich Garr

Preetha Stephen

Geoffrey Owen Miller

Kate Brennan

Billy McEntee

Linda Mandracchia

Kate Eminger

Burke Gerstenschläger

Madeleine Mattson

Concetta Abbate

Molly McIntyre

Mother Larisa Shaterian

Amer Jandali

Judy Hausman Leff

Reach out!

If you have. a question about the Creative Bond program, or a suggestion for a featured artist or event, please be in touch! Program Director Deborah Chi is excited to work alongside the community to make this an incredible year.