Drawing Together is an arts-based nonprofit, which recently relocated to the Tri-Community. Their mission is to work with individuals and communities to envision a healthier future through art creatively. They consider health from a holistic perspective and view equity and social justice as part of a healthy community. Their work includes art education classes, adult workshops, community projects, and advocacy work.
The nonprofit recently was awarded a grant from the California Arts Council for a project called “Picture Me Here,” which will offer workshop opportunities to children and adults. The project will culminate in an exhibition in April at the Wrightwood Arts Center. The goal of the project is to offer exposure and cultural exchange between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) visual artists and the rest of the community.
Research indicates the importance of art for communities. According to the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, “cultural resources are significantly linked to better health, schooling, and security.” The research, which was controlled for economic well being, race, and ethnicity, found the presence of cultural resources are associated with a 14% decrease in cases of child abuse and neglect, 5% decrease in obesity, and 18% increase in kids scoring in the top stratum on English and math exams.”
“Another more kind and compassionate future is possible,” says the founder Jamie Crooke Powell, and that’s just what this organization, Drawing Together, aims to create. The community can find the calendar of events after the new year at: www.DrawingTogether.city, but you can save the date for the culminating exhibition at the Wrightwood Arts Center on April 30th at 4:00 pm.
The organization is in the process of finalizing its selection of artists for this project, and interested local BIPOC visual artists can apply at the Drawing Together website now.
Community members interested in supporting this work and the organizational mission can donate a year-end, tax-deductible donation via our website. All donations of any amount from now until the end of the year will receive a free sketchbook mailed out to them as a thank
you.
