Stories
Our participants are the heart of who we are.
Path with Art’s story is rooted in resilience. Our participant community is comprised of diverse individuals overcoming complex systemic challenges, including domestic abuse, homelessness, substance use disorders, mental health issues, and PTSD. Art is a crucial avenue for expressing feelings and processing stories. And it is so much more: a pathway toward greater self-worth, identity, and belonging.
Participant Artist Stories
Meet Lindsey
Lindsey joined Path with Art in 2016 through Plymouth Housing and Recovery Café. At the time, leaving the house felt incredibly difficult as she navigated depression, anxiety, and epilepsy. At Path with Art she found a community of people who were facing similar challenges and discovered her creativity.
Now an avid maker, Lindsey sells reproductions of her work through the Path with Art artWORKS program. She is also a member of the Peer Leadership Program, where she helps create a warm and welcoming environment for fellow participants.
“Now that I have Path with Art, I have a second home,” Lindsey shares. “When you are constantly getting told how well you are doing, you feel very important and special. I never knew I was as good as I am.”
Lindsey’s story is one of courage, creativity, and the power of being seen.
Meet Josie
Josie joined Path with Art in 2024 after being referred by a friend. She didn’t consider herself an artist at the time, but jumped right in—joining the Path with Art Singers and taking a documentary photography class. By the end of the course, her work was exhibited at the Seattle Public Library, marking an exciting milestone in her creative journey.
Since then, Josie has become a vibrant presence in the community. She earned her Certificate of Achievement in summer 2025 after completing four classes, joined the Leadership Program, and has performed with the Path with Art Singers at the Seattle Art Museum and Northwest Folklife. A regular at Path with Art, she’s often recognized for her colorful outfits and equally colorful artwork.
“I found a big family in Path with Art,” Josie shares. “There’s love and respect—a place you can be yourself. Like a plant, if you leave it without the sun, its growth is stunted. But with the right nourishment, it flourishes. Now when people say, ‘Josie, you’re so creative—you’re really an artist,’ I believe them more.”
Meet Stan
Stan joined Path with Art in 2023 after being referred by the Downtown Emergency Service Center. At the time, he was living in a shelter and looking for a sense of stability and connection. When he arrived at Path with Art, he began learning how to sew—something that would soon become an important part of his life.
Today, Stan is a regular presence at the artHOME. He helps maintain the sewing machines, supports other participants as they learn, and is a member of the Leadership Program, volunteering his time as a Path with Art Ambassador to support new and continuing participants. What began as one art class has grown into a meaningful way for him to give back and stay connected to community.
“Path with Art showed me what is possible—what I can do,” Stan shares. “Now you see me smiling. For several years, I didn’t smile at all.”
Stan’s story is one of growth, generosity, and the power of creative community.