"THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYWHERE"

An exhibit about the past, present & future at Raw Art Works (RAW), Lynn, MA 

As an adult alumni of RAW, Jon Rodriguez reflected on all that RAW has been, is and will be for the young people of Lynn, Massachusetts.  When Rodriguez said “This Doesn’t Happen Everywhere,” he was referring to the “feeling of family, home and the opportunities that arise when people choose to build relationships, make art together and care for eachother and their community at RAW.”  RAW is a rare type of place, where young people can come together to learn about who they are and who they want to be, to connect with others in new ways and to engage with the world around them.  

The artwork in this exhibit was carefully selected from the archives of youth work that has been created over the course of 36 years of programming and while holding brave space for young people through the arts today. 

RAW's mission is to the desire to create and confidence to succeed in our youth RAW is a youth arts organization, rooted in art therapy. At its core, RAW believes that all kids should be seen and heard and that everyone has a story to tell. Located in Lynn, Massachusetts, RAW offers a variety of free programming from painting to filmmaking, for kids in grades 4-12. RAW uses art to ask kids “What’s really going on?” in their lives, giving them the tools to create in unexpected ways, and envision new possibilities for their future. RAW prioritizes youths' social and emotional needs and actively engages in bullying prevention.