RefugArt

Building on the success of the first RefugArt event, students continued their work in 2017 with a new theme “Create Your Footstep: A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”. The idea symbolized the different journeys that refugees take to improve their lives. The event raised money for Water for South Sudan and the Za'atari Refugee Camp, the world’s largest refugee camp for Syrian refugees. 

In 2018, students chose to support A Drop in the Ocean, an NGO that works to improve the daily lives of refugees by distributing items such as food, clothing, and hygiene products. Under the theme “Eye to Eye”, students and ASB community members painted eyes on small stones using nail polish and other materials. ASB was proud to partner with the global brand, Natura, to display and sell the stones in stores across Barcelona.  

An evening event was held on campus with an art exhibition, auction and honored guests from the UNHCR, and the American, Greek, and Austrian consuls.

In 2019, ASB students embraced the theme "Move to Evolve" for their flagship event, Refugart. The event featured a symbolic path created by all ASB students, representing the journey of a refugee. Butterfly-themed art pieces were created and sold to symbolize the dignity and resilience of migrants. Local artists also contributed art for a silent auction. The event concluded with speeches from guest speakers and ASB event coordinators. Proceeds from the event were donated to Books for Africa and UNHCR.

While the initial challenges of virtual school made organizing RefugArt impossible in 2020, the students did not disappoint in 2021. Uncertain of the restrictions they might face, they prepared for every contingency - a live event, a hybrid event, or a virtual event. In the end, students held a hybrid event, under the theme “Equally Different, Together”, to great success. The event included interactive activities for students during the day, followed by a virtual auction in the evening.

RefugArt 2022 developed around the theme “Different Trees, Shared Roots”, representing how each individual may have their own unique experiences and beliefs, but there are always shared aspects that tie us together. Students were responding to a world that seemed to highlight our differences, rather than cherish our similarities. Despite the ongoing challenges that Covid presented, students organized another amazing day-long event culminating in an auction to raise money for refugees. 

The 2023 RefugArt event focused on how the effects of climate change are one of the main causes of forced migration for millions of people around the globe. Students chose the theme "We're Going to Need a Bigger Boat", referencing the classic 1975 Jaws film, to show how the number of climate migrants has been growing exponentially. It was another successful RefugArt event, raising money for refugee causes. .

For the 2023-24 school year, RefugArt will focus on the importance of sport and play for refugees, under the theme “Refugees and Play, Refugees and Sport”. Before the big fundraising event, the ASB girls soccer team will participate in an off-campus friendly training session with a female refugee team. This will be followed by an evening event with a round table discussion about issues relevant to refugees.