Art for Engagement
At Proximity2Humanity, we believe that art is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together.
Unlike many conversations that begin with politics, religion, or ideology, creative experiences invite people to connect through curiosity, collaboration, and shared expression. Around a pottery wheel, a canvas, a crochet project, or a writing workshop, barriers begin to disappear. People naturally start talking, sharing stories, asking questions, and discovering common ground.
Our Art for Engagement program was created to build those connections. We intentionally design experiences that bring together people of different generations, backgrounds, cultures, professions, and perspectives—people who might not otherwise meet in their everyday lives. The goal is not simply to teach artistic skills, but to strengthen relationships, foster empathy, and create spaces where respectful dialogue can flourish.
We believe that stronger communities are built through shared experiences. Art provides a welcoming and accessible way to create those experiences, encouraging people to listen, learn from one another, and appreciate different perspectives. By creating together, communities become more connected, resilient, and engaged.
You can read more about our past or upcoming workshops and how to get involved here.
Proximity 2 Main Street
We’re working to revitalize small towns across our state starting with Albemarle, NC. We acquire dilapidated properties and restore them to their original style in ways that create opportunities for small businesses and community spaces. We also support local artists in restoring ghost signs, large format murals, and modern art in conspicuous places across our town and state. We want to host art exchange programs where we bring international artists and their work to our small town and share our local artists’ work globally.
&: Restoring the Lost Art of Civil Discourse
The & initiative seeks to find commonality (‘and’) in an ‘either-or’ world. The effects of media (social and traditional) are driving polarity (political, educational, racial, ethnic) in our community at an increasing speed. The driving spirit behind & believes that there’s more that unites and binds us than repels us. We have more in common than what we’re led to believe. & creates community spaces and events that bring together different types of people in disarming ways (arts, sports, education) and structures those engagements around the principles of civil discourse.