About Proud Art STL
Creating safer spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth through art, connection, and community.
Who We Are
Proud Art STL (PASTL) is a nonprofit built around creativity, connection, and care. We create safer spaces where LGBTQIA+ middle and high schoolers can explore art, meet others like them, and feel truly welcome.
Why We’re Here
We started Proud Art STL because too many LGBTQIA+ teens didn’t have spaces where they felt fully safe, supported, and free to express who they are.
Art has a way of opening doors. It brings people together, helps us communicate without words, and creates room for connection. We saw that potential — and built a community around it.
✨ Because when art meets acceptance, pride becomes power. ✨
Proud Art STL is a safe, supportive space where young people can connect, create, and celebrate their individuality through art.
One Mission
To create safer, welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth through art, where creativity builds confidence, connection, and a strong sense of belonging.
Infinite Creativity
Exploring painting, photography, music, games, and more, discovering new ways to express themselves while learning, experimenting, and having fun.
Growing Every Year
With more workshops, more artists, and more teens joining in, our community continues to grow stronger, more connected, and more creative each year.
How It All Began
PASTL began as a shared idea between artists, mentors, and community members who believed that creativity could help teens feel less alone.
What started as small gatherings and big conversations grew into workshops, events, and collaborations across St. Louis.
With every session, more teens showed up, and stayed. Over time, Proud Art STL became a place where creativity and community grew side by side.
Using Art to Build Connection
Art has a way of bringing people together naturally.
It opens conversations, builds trust, and helps people express things they may not yet have words for. From the beginning, we saw creativity as a bridge. A way for teens to connect, collaborate, and feel less alone.
Building the Organization
Turning this idea into reality took time, care, and dedication.
Through many hours of planning and collaboration, Proud Art STL grew into an organization focused on intentional programming, thoughtful workshops, and meaningful experiences for LGBTQIA+ youth.
A Community That Continues to Grow
Today, Proud Art STL is rooted in care for the LGBTQIA+ community and continues to grow through every workshop and event.
Each gathering strengthens connections, expands support networks, and adds to a community built on creativity, safety, and belonging.
Where It All Started
Proud Art STL began with a shared belief that community matters deeply, especially for LGBTQIA+ youth.
A small group of people noticed how hard it could be for teens to find spaces where they felt safe, supported, and truly welcome.
They believed something better was possible.
Using Art to Build Connection
Art has a way of bringing people together naturally.
It opens conversations, builds trust, and helps people express things they may not yet have words for. From the beginning, we saw creativity as a bridge. A way for teens to connect, collaborate, and feel less alone.
Building the Organization
Turning this idea into reality took time, care, and dedication.
Through many hours of planning and collaboration, Proud Art STL grew into an organization focused on intentional programming, thoughtful workshops, and meaningful experiences for LGBTQIA+ youth.
A Community That Continues to Grow
Today, Proud Art STL is rooted in care for the LGBTQIA+ community and continues to grow through every workshop and event.
Each gathering strengthens connections, expands support networks, and adds to a community built on creativity, safety, and belonging.
Donate Today
Your donation makes a direct impact. Every dollar helps us provide artistic supplies, rent safe workshop spaces, and cover essential costs like insurance — so we can keep growing this community.
Proud Art STL is a public charity recognized as tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3).