ARTogether

ARTogether was born seven years ago as a response to the rise of anti-immigrant and refugee rhetoric and policies of the first Trump administration. Since then, we’ve built a place where compassion, belonging, arts, and understanding can flourish for immigrants and refugees.  As we witness the cycles of dehumanization and criminalization of our community continue here and abroad, our dedication to each other and resilience only strengthens. Art bridges gaps across borders, languages, and cultures. ARTogether is proud to create safe spaces where stories can be shared, voices can be heard, and experiences can be honored without judgment or fear, which is needed more now than ever. Our programs bring immigrant, refugee, and diasporic community members to Connect, Heal, Imagine, and Build a future rooted in shared humanity and hope.  We are uncertain of what is to come, but we are committed to being here with you, as together we continue towards a more inclusive and compassionate world.  In solidarity and hope, The ARTogether Team How to help:  Consider making a donation to support our mission!  Or if you are interested in joining us for a Volunteer info night, sign up in the link in bio!

EXCITING NEWS COMING SOON! Dear friends, community members and loved ones! MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Friday December 6th for an IN PERSON event!! ARTogether has something special in the works! We will be hosting a special event and hope you will join us. More event info coming THIS WEEK..! Stay tuned........

In September, ARTogether facilitated the creation of a new mural, featured on the entry wall of the Clinton Community Center building. This community art project celebrates the rich history of the park while envisioning a hopeful future for the neighborhood. The revitalization of Clinton Park reflects the power to bring people together, tell stories, and inspire hope for the future. As the park continues to serve as a gathering place for the community, it remains a symbol of its resilience, diversity, and unity. READ MORE ON THE BLOG! Link in bio! @clinton_park_oakland <3 @oaklandtrybe <3

Congratulations to Deyci Carrillo López (@puravida510) for receiving our Mini-Grant in support of her work painting collaborative murals with youth in East Oakland! Deyci, as she says it herself, is a proud product of Guanajuato, México and Deep East Oakland, California. She is an author, entrepreneur, and immigrant rights advocate. Deyci started writing poetry when she was around 13 years old, shortly after finding out her immigration status. Words helped Deyci define who she is and who she wants to become in this world that is constantly screaming to define her worth and her power. With poetry, Deyci reclaimed her power and who she is. She is also a small business owner and with her brand hopes to inspire little and big humans to discover and own their magic through poetry and art. You can see more of her work on instagram as @puravida510

Today is National Immigrant Day and we we honor the resilience, diversity, and culture that immigrants bring to the heart of Oakland and the greater Bay Area. Immigrants shape our community with their hard work, creativity, and dedication. On this day, we recognize the challenges they've overcome and the strength they bring, contributing to Oakland’s unique, diverse spirit. Let’s celebrate and uplift the immigrant voices that help Oakland thrive and grow—today and every day! #NationalImmigrantsDay #OaklandProud #CommunityStrength

If you missed the opening night exhibition, this is your chance to see the student films and artwork!💫 Join us for the culmination of this program and see the student’s animated films and shadow puppetry exhibition, alongside work by the artists who led the program. In the “Shadow Movements” program, professional artists mentor immigrant and refugee youth to write personal stories, record voice overs of those narratives, to create shadow puppets based on original character-designs, and to bring those shadow puppets to life in animated short films. This Friday, November 1st at ARTogether Center from 4 - 8pm. 1200 Harrison Street in Downtown Oakland. #shadowmovementsyouthartwork #immigrantandrefugeeArt #ArtogetherCenter #Oaklandarts

Thank you 3 Lopez Media Inc for creating this film! Such beautiful storytelling of our younger community members and highlights the importance of programs like this for newly arrived immigrants and refugees. #createcommunity #artisoursharedlanguage

We are grateful and honored to receive the Community Engagement Partner Award of 2024 from the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (@OaklandAsian_CC)! Partnering with OACC has been an invaluable experience for ARTogether. Back in 2019, as a young, volunteer-run organization, OACC graciously hosted our first-ever exhibition – a pivotal moment in our journey. Since then, our collaboration has only grown, including two incredible joint exhibitions this year and participation in the World Refugee and Immigrant Day Festival. This award from OACC mean’s a lot to us. OACC’s unwavering leadership in the community and in the Oakland Chinatown has consistently inspired us, and we are thrilled to continue this meaningful partnership and co-creation for many years to come. <3 <3 <3

This Friday, join us for an evening of animated films and a shadow puppets exhibition from the students and teaching artists of our Shadow Movements program. This Youth Arts Showcase will be Friday October 18th,  6 - 8pm. Held at ARTogether Center 1200 Harrison Street, in Downtown Oakland. Film screening to begin at 6:30pm. In the “Shadow Movements” program, professional artists mentor immigrant and refugee youth to write personal stories, record voice overs of those narratives, to create shadow puppets based on original character-designs, and to bring those shadow puppets to life in animated short films. #ShadowMovements #ARTogether #ImmigrantandRefugeeArtists #OaklandArts

Last week during one of our Afghan women support group sessions we made macrame trees. We discussed the symbolism of trees with their branches and roots to us personally and culturally. We learned that trees can symbolize so many things from nature to our experiences in life or be a representation of our families and ancestry. #ArtConnectsUs #ARTogether #refugees #immigrants