LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington’s DV8 Kitchen, a restaurant which specializes in employing workers after reentry and recovery, is putting on a special show this month.
The second-chance cafe is hosting a table art contest to highlight the work of nonprofits in the community, and to spread a positive message.
Michael Harper is one of the artists participating for the first time on behalf of the Shepherds House, a recovery and support organization that helps with re-entry services. Harper said it’s a thrill to get to contribute. “Because I do love doing art,” he explained.
Harper is taking on the recovery support kitchen’s friendly community challenge and said art has always been his outlet.
“Very therapeutic exercise for me, and I went to University Kentucky for art, but you know the path I took led me away from that and so the more I got into it the more I could see how much I’m capable of,” Harper said.
Artists from local nonprofits have applied colorful words, feelings and prayers onto a table in a way that speaks volumes to those who sit down inside DV8.
In the week leading up to this month’s showcasing event, people across Kentucky have the chance to vote on which display is most compelling.
DV8 Kitchen’s Rob Perez says they want to show how a community thrives when working as a collective and for a single purpose of giving back to the city.
“I believe that people in recovery are looking for fewer transactions and more relationships. This is all about people. We’re trying to connect people, artists and nonprofits to the recovery community,” Perez explained.
11 nonprofits are taking the pledge to bring the art to the table. Starting on April 19 and ending on April 26, people will have multiple ways to vote, including online and in-person. People can check out the DV8 Kitchen Facebook page for video entries from each group and each “like” online will count toward a vote for the submission.
The entry with the most likes will win $1,500, second earning $750 and third winning $250 at a celebration at the 26th and South Broadway location between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The contest has been going on since 2021. Previous table submissions can be found at the kitchen’s Midland location. Once this year’s contest is complete, the tables will be showcased at the South Broadway location.
Perez is hopeful that the project will show the community and DV8 visitors how groups partner to make a difference.
“Once we all get together, sit around the table and enjoy life and there’s good conversation and great food,” Perez said. “Something magical happens. It’s almost spiritual.”
“There are beautiful things that can come from a person working a program just like these beautiful tables,” Harper said.
They hope that every person who comes in for a meal will have a little inspiration to keep going or to support someone else in this community.