The “Language of the Journey” event is a fundraiser for the APDC that will combine art and community. The main objective of this event is to tell the stories of the diverse refugee population residing in Colorado, the main target population that the APDC services.

In partnership with the Metropolitan State College School of Art, the APDC connects the various refugee communities—starting from the Asian population from Burma and Bhutan to the African and Iraqi—to the artists. The refugees’ stories are the inspiration; the artists are the storytellers. Each of the art pieces will be displayed at the fundraiser and auctioned off. The pieces will reflect the struggle, transformation and hope of the refugee communities.

The event will have various components to it: there will be different forms of art, starting from paintings to drawing and photography; there will also be live music, live glass blowing and live body painting art. The refugee stories will be the essence of this event while the artists are bringing all of the components together. The event is all about the communities: made by the (art) community for the (refugee) community.

This event will be a significant event that will bring attention and awareness to the refugee population in Colorado who need ongoing help and support, and the passion of the artists involved will shine through each piece in the spirit of “giving back to the community through the art created for others.”