IN THE NEWS

Recently, our Refuge middle school class had the opportunity to visit the studio of Sergio Bautista , a long-standing visual artist based at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts , not only our home but one of the largest artist communities in the United States. The visit gave students a rare behind-the-scenes look at how a professional artist works, thinks, and lives with their art. Walking into Sergio’s space, students experienced firsthand how an artist uses materials, space, an

This spring, we ran our second Storytelling Through Dance pilot with instructor Carolyn McCarthy . Over seven weeks, students transformed movement into narrative, drawing inspiration from the classic tale Bluebeard, a story of intuition, curiosity, secrets, and truth to create original choreography. Students trained in a fusion of street jazz, contemporary dance, and expressive movement. They learned to communicate emotion through body language, facial expression, and physica

Thank you for making last Saturday’s art show such a success! Your presence, support, and outreach to family and friends uplifted our artists and team, making us feel valued, seen, and celebrated within our community. We are very grateful for our Western Avenue Community for making this exhibit possible, our team, and student volunteers for stepping up and helping us pull it together! This event was more than just an art show—it was a gathering of creativity, connection, and

This year, we created more than art—we built a thriving community where creativity, empowerment, and opportunity flourished. From debuting our first public mural, Urban Healing , to supporting 95 students—90% of whom relied on financial aid—Refuge Art School has been a beacon of hope and expression. Together, we achieved incredible milestones: 17 programs and 3 workshops across 3 semesters. Piloted our first "Storytelling Through Dance" performance program. Over $60K in finan

This past semester, our students took a powerful step into the world of storytelling—without ever uttering a word. Through our six-week dance course, they explored the art of communication through movement, learning how to speak volumes with just their bodies and expressions. Students trained in street jazz, a dynamic fusion of jazz and hip-hop, mastering choreography that expressed emotion, told stories, and showcased their individuality. Each class was a journey into the co