The Catharsis Conferences


Jasmine Edwards (February 2025)
Samora Pinderhughes (January 2025)
Our Belmont Preparatory students (February 2025)
Claude Grunitzky moderating a talk
Each conference features a Q&A session...
...and embraces a participative, community-driven format
@Qori Camargo

The Catharsis Conferences are monthly gatherings organized by the Catharsis Arts Foundation at Atelier Jolie

These events serve as a platform for conversations centered on our shared humanity—bringing together artists, scholars, and activists in dialogue that reflects our commitment to amplifying diverse voices and lived experiences.

Together, we explore the many dimensions of catharsis:

How can art catalyze healing?
How do empowerment and transformation come together within transcultural creative practices to shape new forms of expression and understanding?

Hosted in Atelier Jolie’s iconic graffiti room at 57 Great Jones Street in New York City, the conferences are rooted in intersectionality and intention. In Jean-Michel Basquiat’s former studio, we aim to create a safe, expansive space for dialogue that transcends boundaries, invites vulnerability, and inspires critical reflection.

Each Catharsis Conference is an opportunity to share, care, and create in community. Through these gatherings, we nurture a growing network of people committed to building virtuous circles for collective uplift.

The Catharsis Arts Foundation is immensely grateful for the participation of each speaker: your passion, insights and generosity are what make our gatherings special.


Interested in learning more? Get in touch!


Claude Grunitzky, Shirin Neshat and Angelina Jolie (March 2025) @Argenis Apolinario



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Copyright © 2024-2025 Catharsis Arts Foundation. 
Catharsis Arts Foundation is a charitable organization regulated by articles 140 and 141 of the French law dated on August 4, 2008.