Casa de la Creatividad

In 2018, Premier Arts Collective began a relationship with Casa de la Creatividad, located in Cozumel, Mexico. Casa de la Creatividad (“House of Creativity”) is a choice-based art studio that offers open art exploration time to local, underserved children as well as a metal studio and drumming workshop. PAC artist Jared Emerson has performed for the children at Casa de la Creatividad on different occasions, even having them participate in an interactive painting experience, collectively painting Albert Einstein as a mural on an exterior wall.

Casa de la Creatividad’s founder, Anita Yeh Norrie, is a PAC instructor with a master’s degree in art therapy. She has seen more than 108 child visits per week in just the 16 hours that the studio is open! According to Norrie,

“Art that is created and inspired by the artist’s own experiences enhances authenticity and growth as an individual. Choice-based art making decreases comparisons to others, and a nurturing community evolves. The studio is a refuge from everyday stresses of poverty and a place of opportunity.”

Anita has witnessed first-hand how the children in Cozumel seek out the art studio as a safe place to grow and explore, a place where their dreams can be realized, if only for a few moments each week.

Troy Murray (a.k.a. TYP)

Troy Murray was introduced to Premier in 2016. As a young aspiring artist, he found a deep connection with the organization, as well as with PAC artist Jared Emerson. As the relationship grew, Troy was open and honest about his prior struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.

He started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana in the summer of his 8th grade year. He soon made the transition to harder drugs, and by the beginning of his sophomore year of high school, Troy had tried almost every drug available to him; always seeking to feed his daily addiction.

In 2012, at 21 years of age, Troy had been in and out of various rehabilitation centers, struggling to stay sober and falling back into addiction each time. After hitting a life-altering low point, he checked into one last facility. There he was reminded of his love of drawing and began sketching portraits of the people around him. He started immersing himself in art and daily prayer as a means to overcome his abusive urges. Art helped Troy turn his brain off and escape from past temptations. The desire to get high to survive was miraculously gone within two weeks. With every struggle and obstacle during his painful journey of staying sober, he learned a lot about the real Troy Murray. His new relationship with God revealed his true capabilities and strengths. Troy rediscovered himself with confidence; growing into the person God created him to be.

Troy has played an instrumental role in the development of Premier Arts Collective. His story of redemption and recovery is the embodiment of how art can be used as therapy to heal from life’s traumas. To give back and help others, he has taught art classes to girls in Cambodia who were victims of sex trafficking, led sessions in Cuba, performed in Jordan for Iraqi and Syrian refugees and was involved with the K-LOVE Hope Center, an inner-city, faith-based organization in Detroit. Together with Premier Arts Collective, Troy continues to share his challenges with addiction and the redeeming path to recovery, encouraging others to find healing and hope through art.

Full Interview

Marielos (Nu-Day Academy)

Marielos’ life is completely transformed because of music. Growing up in El Salvador surrounded by violence and enduring immense trauma, music created a release and allowed her to take back her life. Take a look at how Nu-Day Academy saved Marielos.