
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. Rain took eight bullets in the back and in 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 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 and community organizations
Due to the overwhelming response of the arts community the team of artists dared to continue using the arts to aid Saint Louis.
Our Catalyst
Listen
Listen to founder, Paige Walden-Johnson's personal storytelling session with Campfire at Home Podcast on how CommUNITY Arts came to be
More media
Follow our timeline of media from the beginning to our present
Our Team
Paige
Walden-Johnson
Saint Louis, MO
Founder
Executive Director
I am always looking for partnerships and collaborations, feel free to contact me to connect.
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Email:
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Phone:
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. Her choreography has been featured by Ashleyliane Dance Company, St. Lou Fringe Festival, and Leverage Dance Theater, 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 second-hand, Paige decided to refocus her artistic career for the community. While working with the Violence Prevention Commission, local hospitals, law enforcement, and community agencies, Paige to shows Saint Louis how impactful an artist can be.
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In addition to her work with CommUNITY Arts, Paige is currently a dance educator and Director of CS Academy at Central Studio, a company dancer with Collective Motion Dance Company, and teaches virtual dance classes with Pianos for People.
Board of Directors
Emily Herman
Co-secretary
Emerson
Bishoppe Kamusinga
Board Member
Principia School
Laurie Ritchey
Board Member
Whole Arts Connection
Allyson Ditchey
Board Member
Connect The Arts
Jane Orr
Board Member
SLMPD
Raymond Palmer
Board Member
Wells Fargo
Volunteer Team
Interested in joining our team? connect with us on Slack
Marcus Johnson
Young Artists Rehearsal Director
Renee's Dance Floor
Jessica Epperson
CommUNITY Volunteer
St. Louis Children's Hospital
Tonya Reed
Director of LouKidz
B. Elite
Sarah Diaz
CommUNITY Volunteer
Barnes Jewish Hospital
Rain Stippec
Survivor, CommUNITY Volunteer
Movement Arts Center
Emma Weidman
CommUNITY Volunteer
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Lydia Wood
CommUNITY Volunteer
St. Louis Children's Hospital
Megan Melville
CommUNITY Volunteer
YAW Choreographer - Rehearsal Director