By Rachel Steinbacher
Downtown Fort Wayne’s only boutique hotel, The Bradley, is doubling as a gallery space for Purdue Fort Wayne artists, thanks to an ongoing partnership that lets students and alumni showcase their work in one of the city’s most visible venues.
Over the past few years, downtown Fort Wayne has seen a wave of growth, with new restaurants, shops, and park renovations creating a vibrant atmosphere. Among the highlights is The Bradley, a boutique hotel that opened in July 2021 and quickly became a cultural touchstone—not just for its design, but for its commitment to supporting local art.
The Bradley was developed in partnership between West Coast-based Provenance Hotels and Barbara Baekgaard, co-founder of the Vera Bradley Foundation and a key figure in the hotel’s creation. Since its opening, the hotel has offered a unique opportunity for Purdue Fort Wayne (PFW) artists: ten curated art frames in one of its hallways, reserved exclusively for rotating displays of student and alumni artwork.
Rebecca Coffman, chair of PFW’s Department of Art and Design, says that it is a very cooperative partnership, but sometimes a laboring process. They put together a selection of works and send them to the Provenance Hotels team, who makes the final picks.
There are no strict guidelines for what type of art is selected. According to Mason Thomas, a sales manager at The Bradley, the hotel looks for pieces that simply “fit the mood.” The limited space—just ten frames—means not every submission can be displayed, but Coffman says the results have been rewarding.
“We’ve been able to show off some really beautiful photography, prints, and drawings in that limited space,” she said.
For PFW students and alumni, the exposure can be a career-boosting experience. Much like the university’s annual student exhibition, the partnership with The Bradley gives emerging artists the chance to have their work publicly viewed—and critiqued—in a high-profile setting.
“It’s just going to be an empty hallway,” Thomas said. “Might as well allow these students to promote their work, promote themselves, and promote their art. It’s great.”
The artwork on display rotates every few months, ensuring that new voices and visions are consistently featured. Whether you’re visiting Fort Wayne for the first time or planning a staycation, a stop by The Bradley offers more than just boutique accommodations—it’s also a window into the creative heart of the community.