FOTWA : Who We Are

Art Refuge began in 1999 by Friends of Tibetan Women’s Association, five years after the first Painting Club at Tibetan Homes Foundation in Mussoorie, India. Art Refuge is featured in a traveling museum exhibit (in New Zealand for 2003); a book entitled Art of Exile: Paintings by Tibetan Children in India and a short documentary film: Dance of Young Nomads.

In addition to Art Refuge, FOTWA oversees sponsorships of Tibetans in India and projects at various settlements. The Cross Cultural Exchange Program aims to improve international understanding and compassion. This lively project includes the sharing of photography, poetry, artwork, essays, video-conferences, storybooks and a pen pal exchange between American schools, Tibetan Homes Foundation and the orphanage in Sri Lanka. FOTWA also supports emerging Tibetan artists through the Friendship Painting Organization.

Art Refuge is a pilot project for other communities with displaced, orphaned or homeless youth. Karuna Arts supports Art Refuge by offering stunning Gifts that Make a Difference.

Art Refuge
Friends of Tibetan Women’s Association
P.O. Box 31307
Santa Fe, NM USA 87594
505 988-1938 tel/fax
Website: www.fotwa.org

Sarah K. Lukas, President, fotwa@yahoo.com
Frances Fox, Art Refuge Coordinator, tenzinfox@macunlimited.net
Ann Maxwell, Public Relations, annmaxwell@worldnet.att.net
Ama Adhe & Dolma Tsering, Art Refuge, Dharamsala
Kyiso & Yangchen, Art Refuge, Kathmandu
Ogyen Dorje, Cultural Exchange/THF, kongpo55@yahoo.com
Sonam Choephel, Friendship Pntg Org., fpomie@yahoo.com