The 2025 AIA East Kentucky Annual Meeting was held virtually and included ratification of the election results, reports on the state of the chapter, and discussion about key initiatives for 2026.

2026 - Officers & Directors

2026 President: Alex Short, Assoc. AIA

2026 Vice President: Robert Barnhart, AIA

2026 Treasurer: Holly Wood, AIA

2026 Secretary: Amanda Bellamy, AIA, PE

Immediate Past President: Brittany Leneave Smoot, AIA

2026 Director - Chris Gipson, AIA

2026 Director - Justin White, AIA

2026 Director - Taylor Stephens, Assoc. AIA

2026 Director - Erin Stoffer, AIA

2026 Director - Chris Wilson, AIA

2026 Director - Kellin Vellenoweth, AIA

A special thank you to all of our members for attending the AIA EKY Holiday Party to celebrate the holidays and look back on 2025 with us while looking forward to the new year!

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!

We'll see you in 2026!

AIA East Kentucky is creating a special community coloring book to celebrate local architecture, landmarks, and creativity — and we’d love for you to be part of it!

Submission Rules:

One entry per person. Each participant may submit one original coloring page.

Page size:

Must be designed to fit on 8.5” x 11” paper (portrait orientation preferred).

File format:

Submit as a high-resolution PDF or black-and-white JPEG/PNG.

Design style:

Must be a line drawing suitable for coloring. Avoid shading or heavy fills — clean outlines work best.

Content:

Focus on Local Kentucky architecture, design, or themes. Keep designs family-friendly.

Deadline: Submissions are still being accepted

Where to submit: Email your page to jwhite@jrarchitects.com with the subject line:

“AIA EKY Coloring Book Submission – [Your Name]” include the name of the location if applicable.

Additional Notes:

Selected pages will be included in the printed AIA East Kentucky Coloring Book.

The finished book will be distributed at upcoming AIA EKY events and outreach programs. By submitting, you grant AIA EKY permission to reproduce and distribute your artwork within the coloring book and related promotions. If there are any questions, please reach out to Justin White at jwhite@jrarchitects.com

Please join AIA East Kentucky members every 3rd Tuesday (starting in September) for Free Pinball at The Burl Arcade across the street from Lexington, Kentucky's distillery district.

This is an informal setting where members can mingle and see who the next Pinball Wizzard might be!

• The Burl Arcade
• 369 Thompson Rd
• Lexington, KY 40508

• Every 3rd Tuesday
• 6pm-7pm

ACE of the Bluegrass gives high school students a real-world look into careers in architecture, construction, and engineering by connecting them with local professionals who serve as in-class mentors and guest speakers. From site visits and hands-on activities to designing a full mock project in Revit, students experience what it’s really like to work in our industry throughout a full school year—not just learn about it. It’s an inspiring way to open doors and shape the next generation of AEC talent right here in Central Kentucky.

• ACE is always looking for professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction to share their knowledge and experience. If you're interested in learning more or contributing to the future of our industry as a mentor or guest speaker, contact Adam Gillett, Lead Mentor, at adam@integrityarch.com.

Young Architects Forum (YAF)

The AIA Young Architects Forum addresses issues of particular importance to recently licensed architects, providing resources on leadership, mentorship, and fellowship useful to those launching their careers.

AIA YAF Connection 22.03 - Steering the Future of the Profession - CLICK HERE to view Connection Q3 2025 | Vol 22, Issue 03 Steering the Future of the Profession, celebrating a generation of architects who aren’t just adapting to change, but boldly steering the profession forward.

Also, CLICK HERE to view the October issue of the AIA YAF's Now YA Know. YAF publishes the Now YA Know monthly newsletter to share information, events, and ideas related to the young architect's community. 

Thank you George Donkor, AIA for serving as the AIA Kentucky YAF Representative in 2024-25; and welcome to Jessica Farmer, AIA who will serve in 2026 and 2027!

National Associates Committee (NAC)

Click here to read the NAC's 2025 Annual Report. A big shout out to Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA for serving as the AIA Kentucky State/Territory Associate Representative (STAR) on the NAC for 2025-26! 

We are continuing the monthly campaign to feature AIA East Kentucky firms in social media spotlight posts.

Please contact Justin White, AIA for your firm to be featured. Please fill out this form here with required information about your firm and send to Justin. Let's get to know more about our membership!

Do you have a project that you'd like to showcase? If so, please fill out the attached form and contact Justin White, AIA for your project to be featured.

The Kentucky Architectural Foundation (KAF) is pleased to announce the following Scholarship and Grant Awards for 2025.

$1000 Scholarships Awarded to:

• ViviAnne Bohannon : UK COD – Scholarship Sponsor : Rebecca Cox
• Andrew Lawson: U of L School of Urban Design – Scholarship Sponsor: KAF
• Anne Marie Schroll: UK COD – Scholarship Sponsor : KAF
• Blake Shipp: UK COD – Scholarship Sponsor : AIA East Kentucky
• Ethan Smith: UK COD - Scholarship Sponsor : AIA Kentucky
• Evan Wheeler: WKU School of Architectural Technology - Scholarship Sponsor: AIA Central Kentucky

$1000 Grant Awarded to:

• National Organization of Minority Architecture Students Chapter(UKNOMAS) of the University of Kentucky

It has been an exciting first year! The Board of Directors wants to thank our founding partners who have donated money to make these scholarships and grant happen. We continue to see donations to meet our Capital Campaign goals, please visit our website at https://kentuckyarchitecturalfoundation.org.

Kentucky Architectural Foundation is a public charitable organization under section 501c3 of the internal Revenue Code. Donors can deduct contributions made to KAF under IRC section 170.

2026 UK CoD Design Career Fair on Friday, February 20th from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the UK Gatton Student Center Learn More & Register Your Firm Today

UK Graduate Student Meeting Accessibility Needs Through E-Textiles: see full article

UK CoD has launched its search for the next Chair of the Department of Product Design: see full article

Join AIA as Associate New Graduate member!

Free for new architecture school grads, for up to 18 months.

With your new architecture degree, you’re ready to join AIA and be part of our mission to design a more sustainable, equitable world. As a new graduate, your membership is free, for up to 18 months!

Learn more here!