Art Is Not a Luxury: A Message from ARTogether’s Executive Director
Art is not a luxury; for many of the people we serve, it is a lifeline. ARTogether Center in downtown Oakland is a place that newcomers from across the world gather to make art, share stories, and find a sense of home. Afghan mothers, young refugee artists, and longtime Oaklanders exchange laughter, memories, and colors that carry pieces of their journeys. For many who have resettled in the Bay Area, these gatherings offer more than art. They offer peace. They offer friendship. They offer belonging. Over the past nine years, ARTogether has become that home; a place where creativity and