Daily Inspiration: Meet Alex Bedford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Bedford.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I serve as the General Manager of Wonderspaces, an immersive art experience that presents large-scale, interactive works from artists around the world.

My journey with Wonderspaces has been one of steady growth and development. I began as an Art Guide, working directly with visitors and gaining a deep understanding of the experience from the front lines. I was later invited to join the company’s support team, which expanded my exposure to broader operational strategy.

After the pandemic, when operations resumed, I was asked to return in a management capacity. I started as an hourly Shift Manager and then transitioned into a salaried Marketing role. From there, I moved into the Team Administrator position, overseeing staffing, systems, and internal processes, before ultimately stepping into the General Manager role.

Wonderspaces has a strong culture of investing in its people, and our President, Jason Shin, actively fosters internal growth and leadership development. My progression reflects the company’s commitment to recognizing potential, expanding responsibility, and promoting from within.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Throughout my tenure at Wonderspaces, I have navigated significant challenges, particularly during and after the pandemic. This included temporary closures, financial uncertainty, staffing reductions, and ongoing operational restructuring. I experienced multiple role transitions during this period, requiring adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to take on evolving responsibilities.

Managing through layoffs and organizational change was especially difficult, as it required balancing fiscal responsibility with empathy and team morale. These challenges strengthened my leadership approach, sharpened my operational discipline, and reinforced the importance of transparent communication and long-term strategic thinking.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Wonderspaces began as a pop-up exhibition in San Diego, designed to make contemporary art more accessible to broader audiences outside of traditional museum settings. Since then, it has expanded into a multi-city experiential entertainment platform. The Scottsdale location was the first permenant location opening in April 2019.

I joined the organization in 2019 and oversee all aspects of site operations, including staffing, financial performance, visitor experience, partnerships, and community engagement. My role focuses on driving revenue growth, optimizing operational efficiency, and ensuring a consistently high-quality experience for visitors while supporting the artists we present. I am most proud of this growth and serve as an example of my peers working their way through the company I feel I helped shape in Arizona.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that may surprise people is that I’m not an artist by training. My academic background is in archaeology, where I developed a deep appreciation for material culture and the stories humanity leaves behind. That foundation led me to museum studies and, ultimately, to experiential art spaces like Wonderspaces.

I originally planned to leave Arizona and relocate to Florida with my husband, but after discovering this role, I fell in love with the work and the mission. What began as a short-term position became a long-term career because I connected so strongly with making art accessible to the public. While I’m not an artist myself, I care deeply about how creative expression shapes culture and community.

Pricing:

• General Admission is $28
• Premium Admission is $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arizona.wonderspaces.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderspacesaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderspacesaz/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7xc9JfaZYTN0dxHJ5jy_A
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderspacesaz

Image Credits
Photos from left to right: Bar photographed by Airi Katsuta, Volumen by Filip Roca photographed by Yadira Villarreal, Portraits in Pink, Blue, and Silver by BREAKFAST photographed by Yadira Villarreal, Submergence by Squidsoup photographed by Adam Elmakias, Bloom Bloom by Dana Lynn Harper photographed by David Blakeman