Author: Artogether

Written by Polina Marso, Arts and Wellness Program Manager Imagine arriving in a new country, where the sounds, sights, and language are all unfamiliar. For refugee and immigrant children, this experience can be overwhelming. The challenges of adapting to a new culture, making friends, and finding a sense of belonging can feel insurmountable. This understanding is what inspired us to create our Summer Art Camp program. We saw the need for a safe, welcoming space

Written by Bushra Gill A professor in art school taught that an artist’s role in society was to show their work. Created in solitude, the work gains new meaning when it is shared with the world–lending images to ideas so they are understood intuitively.  When I finally returned to making art 20 years later, one of my first shows was at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, in an exhibition called Reflections of Home. At the

Highlights from World Refugee and Immigrant Day Festival in Oakland, CA  On June 15, 2024, Clinton Park in Oakland was transformed into a vibrant tapestry of cultures and stories as it hosted World Refugee and Immigrant Day Festival. This event, the largest gathering ever held at the park, brought together 38 organizations, each committed to sharing resources and support for refugees and immigrants. In addition – diverse performances, delicious food, and local art highlighted the

We are excited to invite guest blog writer Arina Sarwari-Stadnyk to share more about their art making process behind this year’s World Refugee and Immigrant Day Festival poster. Arina is a 2023 ARTogether Mentorship Hub Mentee, WE PLANT OUR FEET IN THE SKY exhibition artist, Pedaling Point participant and an Oakland Style week exhibitor. We are so grateful to have her as a part of our creative and diasporic community here in the Bay Area.