Transformative Art Experience for NYC Students

Professor David Stott here. The Young Artists Program at Shantigar is hands down the most transformative arts program I've ever seen. I was a swim coach for 20+ years and I've been working at CUNY for nine. Five times now we've taken students from Queens, many of whom have never been outside the five boroughs, up to the beautiful, peaceful Shantigar Foundation in Rowe, MA. Last time out we had a student who told us he had never seen the stars before. It's a simple, transformative idea: take creative, artistically-inclined New York City college kids up to the Berkshire mountains for a long weekend and open their eyes to the world beyond the city.

Student Testimonials:

“Shantigar has been the single most impactful experience in my artistic life. My growth during the program was exponential. I cannot thank the foundation enough for the memories we created in our 10 days together. I highly recommend that every artist experience such a place at some point in their careers if they truly want to expand their world view and self understanding of why it is we do the things we do.”

- Raphael De La Soria

Photographer, June 2019

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“My time at Shantigar was filled with creativity, meditation, breathing, uplifting energy, and love. Being surrounded by other artists empowered me, and allowed me to reach a higher potential in my artistry. Being immersed in nature let me dig deep into my spiritual being and reconnect with myself. Having this opportunity helped me achieve a higher sense of gratitude and love for the world, for others and myself. Shantigar is truly a magical place.”

- Amanda Santiago

Actor, June 2019

“I was looking forward to gaining technical experience regarding filmmaking, but I left with so much more than that. I gained knowledge and experience that will definitely contribute to my personal and professional development.”

- Sebastian Sepulveda

Filmmaker, January 2019

“Shantigar was a life-changing experience because of the friends I made, the art I got to create inspired by the land, meditation techniques I learned to help manage stress, and the wonderful organic food and beautiful lodging provided to us.”

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- Aldo Ortiz

Filmmaker, June 2019

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“I am grateful to Shantigar for who I am now. This short moment as a participant made me a better person and gave me a family I can rely on. It will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you Shantigar and Michael for helping me find peace within myself as both an artist and an individual.”

- Kiara Luna

Actor/Director, June 2019

“Being at Shantigar was an invigorating experience. It was great to be a part of a program where we created art and spent all day in nature. It was an honor to be part of the program.”

- Adam Basco-Mahieddine

Actor, June 2019

“The experience that I had at Shantigar was life changing. The main lesson that I learned was to take care of myself, and slow down...I was also thankful to be surrounded by incredible artists. I felt inspired during my time there.”

- Kristina Graham

Filmmaker, January and June 2019

“My overall experience was extremely positive. I was able to learn and grow as an artist and a person, and I made bonds with my fellow artists that I imagine are going to last for quite some time. I deeply enjoyed the landscape and appreciated the peacefulness of Shantigar.”

- Elysia Padilla

Filmmaker, June 2019

“Shanitgar is a peaceful environment. I found it a perfect place to grow as a person and an artist, and to make friends with other interesting and passionate people.”

- Elizabeth Scott

Photographer, June 2019

“My experience was amazing. I learned so much about how to breathe properly, taking the time to slow down, and feeling the energy of the environment.”

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- Julian Mejia

Filmmaker, June 2019

“Being at Shantigar gave me time to self-reflect. I found peace of mind in the early morning hours before the sun started to reflect off the snow cover on the grassy hills of Shantigar, hearing the birds chirp, and over meals with good people who I can call friend. That peace of mind is hard to find when I’m bombarded with the fast pace of the world around me in the city. At Shantigar, I found it. The experience is intangible. It is something that comes from within, and that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

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- Matthew Wilson

Filmmaker, January 2019

“Being at Shantigar helped me slow down, breathe more deeply, and enjoy smelling the air. It made me want to work hard on my craft as an actress. I just left and I want to come back.”

- Niemina Burns

Actor, June 2019

“Ten days at Shantigar introduced me to the greatest friends and teachers I've ever had in my entire life. I went up one way and came down different. Ready to be an artistic warrior.”

- Nicholas Alexander Goldman

Filmmaker, January 2019

“My experience was all that I was looking for and more.”

- Andrew Espinoza

Musical Therapist, June 2019