Art of the story
Building self confidence and unlocking potential, creating new experiences and possibilities.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to discover and explore their own potential, their dream, their voice. We need your help make this possible.
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At Art of The Story we believe that self-confidence, empathy and courage are critical to building the foundation of a fulfilled life. To live fully, we must first recognize and embrace who we are — not who others think we should be. This is no easy task in a world which often rewards conformity and discourages vulnerability. We believe that through the act of creative expression we discover and practice being ourselves, unapologetically and wholeheartedly.
Equally important is learning to accept and value others as they are. In this way “Art”, as a verb, becomes a powerful tool for building community , fostering understanding and creating a world where all have the opportunity to feel seen, valued and heard. Our programs are not just about exploration and expression, they are about transformation. They are about exercising the courage to be who you are, the confidence to take up space and the empathy to honor and celebrate the uniqueness of others.
We are cultivating a way of life — one rooted in authenticity, connection, regardless of age and circumstance. Together we are working to help build a belief that the art of being is the greatest masterpiece of all.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to discover and explore their own potential, their dream, their voice. Our goal is to help make this possible.
At Art of The Story we believe that self-confidence, empathy and courage are critical to building the foundation of a fulfilled life. To live fully, we must first recognize and embrace who we are — not just who others think we should be, and find our own sense of purpose and meaning. This is no easy task in a world which often rewards conformity and discourages vulnerability. We believe that through the act of creative expression we practice being ourselves, unapologetically and wholeheartedly.
Equally important is learning to accept and value others as they are. True connection comes when we set aside judgement, listen deeply and make room for other voices to flourish. In this way “Art”, as a verb, becomes a powerful tool for building community, fostering understanding and creating a world where all have the opportunity to feel seen, valued and heard. Our programs are not simply about exploration and expression, they are about transformation. They are about exercising the courage to be who we are, the confidence to take up space and the empathy to honor and celebrate the uniqueness of others.
We are cultivating a way of life rooted in authenticity and connection, regardless of age and circumstance. Together we are working to help build a belief that the art of being is the greatest masterpiece of all.
join our community of supporters
DONATE
We can’t do this without your help… please consider making your donation HERE
. Your donation helps to provide supplies, materials, venue rental, and logistic expenses such as transportation to move event supplies and local labor to help load, unload, and install tables, stages, whatever is needed. Your donation also helps to provide modest stipends to the brilliant local faculty who make these experiences possible.
Art of the Story is a 501(c)(3) and donations are tax deductible.
VOLUNTEER
We are a volunteer-driven organization and welcome new volunteers near and far. Sign up HERE.
SPREAD THE WORD
Join our mailing list to stay informed and help us spread the word.
learn about our programs
CHISPA
CHISPA consists of a series of hands-on workshops in Spanish for young people at no cost. These workshops include activities such as drawing, movement, theatre, painting, and more.
Click here for information and photos
CHISPA is a Spanish language program and is about celebrating the unique voices of young people in our communities. This 3-day summer program is designed to give participants the chance to explore who they are and to discover how they want to be seen in the world. Our programming provides experiences which create the opportunity to explore new ways of self expression, encouraging creativity and experimentation with a little bit of magic along the way. Participants leave feeling more connected to themselves and ready to share their story.
CHISPA is completely without cost to the participants, and is supported through volunteer efforts and your donation.
An extra benefit of CHISPA is that it gives kids and parents a chance to connect in creative moments.
SPARK
SPARK is the adult version of the kids programming (CHISPA), and is designed for adults who are looking to step outside their usual boundaries and try something new.
Click here for information, photos, and testimonials
This three-day English-language experience invites the participants to break free from their normal routines and to explore new ways to be in touch, to express themselves, and to view the world. There is a nominal cost to participate in this experience, and we rely on your donations and our wonderful team of volunteers and faculty to make this possible.
SPARK introduces the unexpected and the familiar in ways which provide the chance to break through your comfort zone, fan the flame of your creative spark, and gain confidence in embracing new possibilities as well as in expanding existing perceptions. This space is both intimate and collaborative and insists that participants explore, take risks, and at a bare minimum learn more about what it is to be the you you want to be in this world.
TESTIMONIALS
Andrew Buckley
Author, Speaker, Creator
linktr.ee/andrewbuckleyauthor
The Spark by Art of the Story festival not only brought together an eclectic group of faculty made up of artists from all walks of life (and from all over the world), but it also curated relatable and varied sessions. No matter the artistic interest, there was something for everyone.
Expertly organized, the event provided attendees with a bevy of knowledge — expanding minds, creativity, and inspiring a new appreciation for the arts in all its glorious forms.
Judyth Hill
Poet, Maestra, Editor, Author
judythhill.com
Spark! What a much-needed, innovative, and vibrant addition to our always-exciting arts scene in San Miguel!!
Spark lays out a delectable feast, a wise, curated buffet, of opportunities to explore many arts and many mediums of creative expression. This unique event grants everyone attending an all-access pass to explore, discover — play!
As a professional writer, I adore being offered the chance to experience and experiment in other crafts, other art forms, learn from other artists, and dive into other unexplored avenues of my own creativity!
Each of us has not one, but many Voices, not one, but many way to make Beauty! Spark is a spark — a gathering richly jampacked with inspiration — flashes, glimmers, that may be ignited into a flame of new passions!
Come November 2025, join us and be LIT!”
Kate Van Doren, MA ATR
Registered Art Therapist, Professional Artist
katevandoren.com
Spark in San Miguel is an incredible platform for igniting creativity, offering opportunities for everyone to discover and explore their unique creative spark. My experience as a facilitator was deeply rewarding — I led workshops on art therapy, positive psychology, and mandala creation, integrating the transformative principles of neuroscience and healing. I was also honored to be a guest speaker, addressing critical topics such as activism, human rights, and finding your creative voice through art.
Knowledge is power, and when rooted in community connection, it becomes a catalyst for extraordinary transformation. The Spark festival bridges personal creative growth with meaningful community engagement. I especially admire that it is a community-driven non-profit, helping to fund year-round art programs for children.
PARTNER PROGRAM:
Festival de Vivos y Muertos
Festival de Vivos y Muertos celebrates local culture with an emphasis on bringing families together in preparation for Día de Muertos. In this festival, completely without charge, participants have the chance to create all manner of things with ceramic, paper, cardboard, paint, etc. Activities also include a talent show, face painting, and an exhibition of the work the children create before they take it home.
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Art of the Story is proud to be a partner to Festival de Vivos y Muertos, celebrating their 10th anniversary on October 26, 2025.
Vivos y Muertos was founded to provide an opportunity for celebrating the local community during a very special time of the year, Día de Muertos. This event, which draws hundreds of children, is completely without cost to the participants.
Vivos y Muertos provides ways to connect culture, community and contemporary society to honoring this most important time. Participants have the chance to create all manner of things from ceramic, paper, cardboard, found objects, legos , 3-D forms, art, collage, and more. Many of these creations are for the family altars for Day of the Dead, others are gifts the participants make — usually for their mothers.
The age group for this event spans about 18 months to 17 years, with plenty of proud parents joining in. Activities include a talent show, face painting and exhibitions of the wonderful art the participants create. At the end of the day, everyone takes their creations home.
Vivos y Muertos is supported by local community as well as student volunteers from the programs which give civil service credits to students for volunteering. Our youngest volunteer is 12 years old. She’s amazing — as are all of our dedicated volunteer team who start preparations months in advance and staff the event.
THANK YOU!