Art Workshops with Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society is a non-profit organization in Victoria, BC. VIRCS focuses on connection and community building for newcomers in Canada.
Every year, over 3,000 newcomers from all over the world find their footing here, supported by a team that genuinely understands what it means to start over somewhere new. Offering free and accessible services all the way from English classes and legal guidance to employment programs and family support.
For younger newcomers, they offer programs like art therapy, music workshops, and youth nights offer something just as vital: a safe space for youth to make friends, express themselves, and feel like they belong.
About the Art Workshops
In December 2025 and January 2026, I had the privilege of working with youth night at VIRCS by facilitating art circles. Within these workshops, we explored painting, drawing, and vision boards. These art circles help youth cultivate community, creativity and imagination.
Youth Night
In April 2026, I led an art workshop for the Newcomers Women’s Project at VIRCS. The Newcomers Women’s Project is an initiative that aims to support immigrant and refugee women through collaborative and creative art programming.
For our first session, we crafted lanterns using tea bags, bamboo sticks, and natural elements like pressed flowers and leaves.
The workshop offered women and children a welcoming space to explore a new craft with open hearts. By repurposing tea bags and saving the loose leaves for future use, we also highlighted the importance of sustainable, mindful crafting.
Newcomer Women’s Project
