The Fortune Society’s Creative Arts program is an empowering community for artists. Through a variety of workshops and programs, participants are able to express themselves through music, poetry, visual arts and other mediums. Participants are encouraged to engage in artistic opportunities and community events, like Fortune’s Annual Arts Festival, where the Creative Arts program offers a space and platform to view art as a tool for healing and liberation.  

This year, the 12th Annual Arts Festival was held at Fortune’s Long Island City service center. By opening our doors to the wider community, Creative Arts invited the public to engage with powerful artwork created by talented Fortune artists. The festival featured healing garments on display from Fortune’s Future Freedoms exhibition, which took place earlier this year at the MoMA PS1. There was live music, Poetry Hour, an improv workshop and much more! 

The Arts Festival also featured a Maker’s Market where Fortune artists sold their original and handmade artwork. Meagan, a member of the Creative Arts community, sold stickers, cards and other stationary with her original designs. Since connecting with Creative Arts last year, she has received continued support in her creative projects, and the Arts Festival offered an incredible opportunity for Meagan to display her artwork.  

“I think my style is like industrial but girly,” Meagan explained. “I feel like that’s also something that’s very accepted in The Fortune Society and in New York and in general…There’s a way with art to be fluid in both styles.” 

Upon arriving at Fortune, Meagan was eager to participate in the Creative Arts workshops. As an artist of many mediums, including drawing and collage making, she wanted to hone her skills in a comfortable and supportive environment.  

“As an artist growing up in New York, I wasn’t encouraged to do my art when I was younger,” Meagan shared. “Even in adulthood, it’s seen as a waste of time or just a side hobby. But at The Fortune Society, they definitely encourage all of us to work on whatever we think are our strong points.” 

Meagan views art as a vital form of self-expression, especially as she is empowered by the arts community to explore her creativity. Through her time with the arts community, she has also learned how profoundly impactful creativity and imagination can be as tools for healing and transformation.  

For Meagan, and many other Fortune artists, the Annual Arts Festival is a collective celebration of art and healing. Each year, the festival offers an opportunity for participants to inspire the wider community through passionate and transformative art. With the festival taking place at Fortune this year, the artists were particularly excited to open their space and provide an opportunity for the public to learn about Fortune and the people we serve.  

Thanks to Meagan, and all our Fortune artists, the 12th Annual Arts Festival was a great success! We’re proud to showcase such immensely talented individuals each year, and we are thankful to the community members who joined us in celebrating their work and creativity this year.