Our Mission

CommUNITY Arts STL a 510(c)3 nonprofit organization that mobilizes the local arts community and their resources to aid

Saint Louis's anti-violence efforts

from tradegy to unity

On February 6, 2017 a local dancer, Rain Stippec, and a local fighter were ambushed by two gunmen in Soulard, Saint Louis. The firefighter withstood gun wounds to the arm while Rain took eight bullets in the back. Just in the first week following the shooting, Rain underwent seven surgeries, most lasting upwards to 5 hours at a time.

In response to this tragedy, Rain's closest artistic friends decided to create a small concert to help offset the climbing medical costs. The concert to grew, to their surprise, to a two-weekend festival in Grand Center featuring local arts organizations such as The Big Muddy Dance Company, MADCO, and Saint Louis Symphony players. In addition to the performance, local organizations such as YogaBuzz, Alive and Well STL, Angel Band Project, Victim's Advocacy Center provided workshops at the festival.

Due to the overwhelming response of the arts community the team of artists vowed to continue using the arts to aid Saint Louis..

Our Catalyst

Our Team

Board of Directors

Paige

Walden-Johnson

Saint Louis, MO

Founder

Executive Director

With a BFA in Modern Dance and a minor in Psychology from Webster University, Paige believes in the power of the arts as a communicator, educator and healer. She has performed with Collective Motion and Karlovsky and Company Dance as a company member, and in collaborative freelance work in the Saint Lou Fringe Festival. Her choreography has been featured by Ashleyliane Dance Company, St. Lou Fringe Festival, Leverage Dance Theater, American Dance Troupe, as well as a dance-for-film, To Cause a Dream, presented in Editions Futura gallery in Paris.

After experiencing the violence public health crisis in her city through her friend's tragic shooting, Paige decided to refocus her artistic career for the community. While working with the Violence Prevention Commission, hospitals, law enforcement, and community agencies, Paige to shows Saint Louis how impactful an artist can be.

You can find Paige dancing throughout Saint Louis creating collaborations between the arts community and the city's anti-violence efforts.

I am always looking for partnerships and collaborations, feel free to contact me to connect.

Email:

communityartsstl@gmail.com

Phone:

(513) 482-0931

Kessha Edwards

Treasurer

Artist and mentor

Natalie Cooper

Co-secretary + Marketing Team

Hungry Planet

Emily Herman

Co-secretary

Emerson

Lionel Christian

Board Member

York City Dance Alliance

Allyson Ditchey

Board Member

Connect The Arts

Sarah Diaz

Board Member

Jane McKibben

Board Member

SLMPD

US Army

Rachel Brown

Board Member

Central Studio

Tippi Toes

Laurie Ritchey

Board member

Whole Arts Connection

Volunteer Team

Interested in joining our team?

Become a volunteer

Marcus Johnson

Young Artists Rehearsal Director

Renee's Dance Floor

Cassidy Cole

CommUNITY Volunteer

US Bank

Tonya Reed

Director of LouKidz

B. Elite

Bishoppe Kamusinga

CommUNITY Volunteer

Principia School

Lydia Wood

CommUNITY Artist

St. Louis Children's Hospital

Rain Stippec

Survivor, CommUNITY Artist

Movement Arts Center