What We Do

We use various arts modalities to facilitate experiences where play, exploration, critical thinking, and problem solving blend seamlessly, opening up new possibilities for growth and transformation. We invite participants to dive into creative expression and experimentation in a vibrant and collaborative space. These immersive experiences, enriched by participants’ active engagement, are designed to address community needs.

 OUR VALUES

  • We maintain that accountability thrives within bonds of connection and community. We uphold the notion that accountability is a conscious choice rather than an imposed obligation. With this ethos in mind, our creative endeavors are grounded in the understanding that words and actions are integral components of artistic expression, not mere accessories. We reject the notion of divorcing the artist from their art, and acknowledge the profound impact that words and deeds can have on others, irrespective of intent. Our commitment lies in aligning our thoughts with our actions, and fostering environments conducive to exploration and experimentation. We recognize that genuine growth and change are nurtured within supportive communities.

  • We believe that hyper-individualism is antithetical to building community. Transformative work is relational, and we need to work with each other to ensure our collective survival. We practice conflict resolution and communication skills in our spaces in order to foster connections that move us closer towards thrivable communities.

  • We believe that art can serve as a catalyst for community building and transformation by bringing people together to address the things that matter to them, and by engaging in a process of creative expression that prioritizes play and encourages experimentation, questioning,  collaboration, conflict-resolution, and considered reflection.

  • Creative expression allows us to not only consider, but to reconsider, our relationship to the self and to the world around us.  We encourage participants to cultivate a creative practice that is rooted in inquiry, embracing uncertainty, problem-solving, action, and community.


  • We believe that arts-based practices, grounded in an ecological perspective, open up paths to thinking and being that are interdependent and sustainable.


  • We celebrate the vital role of play and experimentation in the artistic process, and recognize that the journey often outweighs the destination. That said, we also understand that outcomes matter. Our initiatives are crafted to encourage process while balancing the pressing demands associated with community goals.

  • We recognize the inherent value of art-making in enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills that extend beyond artistic practice.


  • We believe in the power of art to catalyze profound and positive change, both personally and collectively. We believe that transformation is sparked through action, and we view art-making as a potent avenue through which to engage with the world. Art serves as a platform for experimentation and harnesses the collective power of our imaginations, allowing us to explore new ways of being.


  • We celebrate a rich tapestry of artistic mediums and disciplines, recognizing the complexity of human experience in a world often marked by rigidity. Rather than constraining our approach, we aim for boundless exploration, allowing for the fullest expression of creativity and connection in our work. We believe that diverse materials, techniques, and concepts are tools that honor the multifaceted nature of our existence and can facilitate our freedom dreams.


Founder

Kim Wilson is an artist, educator, writer, and organizer. She is the cofounder, cohost, and producer of the Beyond Prisons podcast, and co-editor of We Grow the World Together: Parenting Toward Abolition. Kim received a 2023 Leeway Transformation Award for her ongoing commitment to art and social change. 


A social scientist by training, Dr. Wilson has a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, and her work focuses on examining the interconnected functioning of systems, including poverty, racism, ableism, and heteropatriarchy, within a carceral structure. Her work delves into the extension and expansion of these systems beyond their physical manifestations of cages and fences, to reveal how carcerality is imbued in policy and practice. She explores how these systems synergize to exacerbate the challenges faced by under-resourced communities, revealing a deliberate intention to undermine and further marginalize vulnerable populations.