Written by Leva Zand After nine years as Founder and Executive Director of ARTogether, I will be stepping down on June 30, 2026. I’ve been sitting with how to write this, and I keep coming back to the same feeling: gratitude, and a quiet, steady sense of rightness. Why I Started ARTogether was born in early 2017, in the turbulent aftermath of the US election. I came to the United States from Iran as a
We’re thrilled to share the work of Romina Zabihian, an artist whose practice bridges beauty and resistance. You might recognize Romina’s style. She’s been shaping ARTogether’s design and brand aesthetic for the past few years. Beyond her visual design work, Romina creates evocative artworks using ink and tea that speak to something deeper. As an alumni of Artist Mentorship Hub and Residency Program and the artist behind the 2024 solo exhibition Dots: A Tale of
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30th, 2025 ARTOGETHER TO HOST “WHAT WE HOLD” FUNDRAISER TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE VOICES Oakland, CA —[October 30th, 2025] — In a world marked by displacement and loss, what do we hold on to? We hold stories. We hold traditions. We hold one another. On Friday, December 12, 2025, Oakland-based nonprofit ARTogether will host its annual fundraiser, What We Hold: Protecting Sanctuary for Immigrant and Refugee Voices, at the
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
On September 14th in West Berkeley, under bright sunshine, the South Asian Women’s History Mural project took a big step forward and brought so many people together. By 3 pm, Vik’s Chaat was buzzing. Grandparents with grandkids, young parents with toddlers, neighbors walking their dogs, people stopping by after lunch—all ages showed up, brush in hand, with Bollywood music blasting in the background. The smell of fresh paint mixed with the smell of chaat drifting
