Women Art Project

The Refugee Expressive Art Project is an intercultural learning initiative that celebrates and preserves refugee folk traditions, music, dance, and handcrafted art forms such as yarn work and beading. The program fosters cultural exchange and community building through collaborative sessions with students from Upstate Medical University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

Every other week, a group of Upstate MPH students visits RISE to spend two to three hours engaging with refugee women and children. During these visits, students assist women with traditional crafts and work with children on art projects. Funding from the Roosevelt Award helps cover the cost of art and craft supplies.

This cross-cultural program is built on the principles of mutual respect and shared values. It provides a supportive space where refugee women from diverse backgrounds can connect, express themselves creatively, and uplift one another, while also allowing students to learn from and engage meaningfully with the community.