“My mask needs all the darkest shades—deep red, dark blue, violet…” shares 9-year-old Olia (name changed), describing her artistic vision. Today, her assignment was to create a carnival mask. After quietly watching the educator and carefully asking the other children about their ideas, she made a thoughtful decision:
“My best friend Ana (name changed) loves the color blue. I like it too, but my favorites are pink and black! But Ana would really love blue…” Olia said aloud, then painted her entire mask in bold blue strokes. For the past few months, Olia has been coming to Artscape’s Creative Missions workshops every Tuesday. Like the other children she’s met at the Refugee Reception Center, she never expected to find a safe space after school—a place where she can create, explore, and feel free to be herself.
Olia and her family are among the many displaced by the war in Ukraine. Forced to leave their home, they started over in Vilnius. The first days were hard—new language, unfamiliar faces, the ache of everything left behind. But through creativity, Olia found an anchor. She met new friends, built her confidence, and—guided by professional artist-educators—got to laugh, play, and express herself in a space where there are no wrong answers.
Creative Missions by Artscape
Artscape’s Creative Missions program has been bringing professional art into social spaces since 2015. Its goal: to empower children from vulnerable communities through creativity. Led by professional artists and educators, these workshops help kids express themselves, manage stress, boost self-esteem, and build communication skills.
“It’s beautiful to watch,” says Vladimir Ionov (Vova), an artist and educator with the program for two years. “At first, the children are focused, choosing materials, observing. Then you see them start to relax. One girl, silent for nearly 30 minutes, suddenly burst into questions: ‘Vova, when’s your birthday? Have you ever been on a bus? Do you have a cat?’ That moment—when a child feels safe enough to just be curious—is the real magic.”
Each session is different. Vova plans the workshops ahead, but the children often change the course with their energy, curiosity, and joy.
“Sometimes ten kids rush in full of energy, ready to splash paint everywhere and create five new works in two hours,” Vova laughs. “And even if I had other plans, I follow their lead—that’s where the real connection happens.” Creative Missions workshops range from clay modeling and textile art to theater improvisation, photography, and dance. Through these forms of artistic expression, children discover talents they didn’t know they had, and begin to heal.
Art Brought Olia’s Childhood Back
“Look—my nose is blue!” Olia shouted with laughter after catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. “I have to show Ana! I’ll be right back!” she called out, dashing out of the room, leaving behind a group of giggling kids. In that moment, surrounded by paint and brushes, Olia wasn’t a refugee. She was simply a child—curious, joyful, and wide open to the world. Stories like Olia’s remind us: every child deserves the joy of childhood, no matter their circumstances.
Donate today. Help us bring the light of creativity to those who need it most.With your support, we can continue to give children like Olia the chance to dream, laugh, and create again.
