In a world where young people face countless challenges—from economic hardship to social isolation—the transformative power of creativity can literally become a reason to survive. At Fervor & Zeal, we’re honored to partner with A Reason to Survive (ARTS) and the talented artist Andrew Thompson to create designs that celebrate the life-saving potential of arts education while supporting one of San Diego’s most impactful youth organizations.

When Art Becomes Survival

The story behind A Reason to Survive (ARTS) began with profound personal loss. In 1992, when founder Matt D’Arrigo was facing the devastating reality of his mother and sister battling cancer, painting and music became his lifeline—literally his “reason to survive.” After losing his mother, he transformed his personal healing journey into a mission to provide that same life-saving opportunity to other youth facing critical challenges.

What started as therapeutic arts programming has evolved into something even more powerful: a place-based, creative youth development organization that lifts young people in South County San Diego to become confident, compassionate, and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity.

The Challenge in South County

South County San Diego, where ARTS is headquartered in National City, faces significant challenges. This community of diverse, hardworking families has historically experienced disinvestment, creating a scarcity of high-quality after-school and arts programming for young people. In neighborhoods where poverty rates are high and opportunities can feel limited, ARTS provides something invaluable: a space where creativity flourishes and young people discover their potential.

Each year, ARTS serves over 600 youth ages 6-24 through comprehensive programming that goes far beyond traditional arts education. Their approach recognizes that creativity and community health are deeply interconnected, addressing the social determinants that profoundly affect the lives of low-income communities and communities of color.
More Than Art Classes: Building Community Leaders

ARTS doesn’t just teach artistic skills—it develops whole human beings. Their programs include:

Community ARTS: Creative art and community design classes for youth ages 8-18, where relationship-building with teaching artists goes hand-in-hand with artistic skill development.

ARTS on Campus: Bringing visual and media arts education directly to school campuses through community-focused creative projects and workshops.

ARTS@Work: A youth workforce development program connecting 16-24 year-olds with meaningful exposure to creative careers through internships and hands-on experience.

ARTS 4 Justice: Integrated creative projects with a healing-centered engagement lens for justice-impacted youth ages 14-19, delivered in partnership with the Juvenile Court and Community Schools district.

What makes ARTS particularly special is their commitment to working at the intersection of creativity and community health. They understand that arts education isn’t just about individual expression—it’s about building the skills, confidence, and vision needed to transform entire communities.

Our Collaboration with Andrew Thompson

When we set out to create a design that would capture the essence of ARTS’s mission, we knew we needed an artist who understood both the power of design and the importance of community impact. Andrew Thompson, known professionally as atslopes, was the perfect partner for this meaningful project.

Andrew brings impressive credentials as a multi-talented art director with experience spanning web design, television, and branding. Based in Atlanta but with a national perspective, Andrew has worked with major brands while maintaining a commitment to authentic, story-driven design that creates genuine connections with audiences.

What drew us to Andrew wasn’t just his technical skill, but his approach to design as storytelling. His ability to distill complex ideas into clean, impactful visuals aligned perfectly with our vision for representing ARTS’s life-changing work.

The “A.R.T.S.” Design: Simple Truth, Powerful Message

The design Andrew created for ARTS is deceptively simple yet profoundly meaningful. The “A.R.T.S.” typography treatment captures the organization’s name while making a powerful statement about the role of creativity in young people’s lives.

As the product description states: “The name says it all. The arts are a reason to survive, to keep fighting, to never give up.” This message resonates on multiple levels—acknowledging both the challenges that South County youth face and the hope that artistic expression provides.

The clean, bold design works beautifully on our organic cotton tote bags, creating a piece that’s both functional and meaningful. When you carry this tote, you’re not just making an environmental choice by avoiding plastic bags—you’re carrying a message about the life-saving power of creativity and supporting an organization that makes that power accessible to those who need it most.

Why This Partnership Matters

Working with ARTS has reinforced our belief that art has the power to transform lives and communities. This isn’t just about providing after-school activities—it’s about giving young people tools for survival, growth, and leadership in a world that often overlooks their potential.

When you purchase our “A.R.T.S.” products, 25% of the profits go directly to supporting ARTS’s programming, helping fund the comprehensive services that make their impact possible. Another 25% supports Andrew Thompson, enabling him to continue creating meaningful design work that tells important stories.

ARTS has already demonstrated the power of their approach through countless success stories, including supporting the journey of Inocente, a formerly homeless teenager whose artistic talents were nurtured at ARTS and whose story became the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary. But beyond individual success stories, ARTS is working to transform entire neighborhoods through public art projects and community engagement initiatives.

The Ripple Effect of Creative Investment

What makes ARTS’s work particularly powerful is how it creates ripple effects throughout the community. Young people who find their voice through arts programming don’t just develop personal skills—they become advocates, leaders, and change-makers in their own neighborhoods.

By supporting ARTS through our partnership, you’re not just helping individual young people discover their artistic abilities—you’re contributing to a vision of South County where creativity is celebrated, where young people have the resources they need to thrive, and where entire communities are strengthened through the transformative power of art.

Carrying Hope Forward

We hope this design resonates with you as powerfully as it does with us. When you carry the “A.R.T.S.” tote bag, you’re carrying more than just your daily essentials—you’re carrying a message of hope, resilience, and the fundamental belief that every young person deserves access to the life-changing power of creativity.

Every time someone asks about your shirt or your hoodie, you have an opportunity to share ARTS’s story and spread awareness about the vital work happening in South County San Diego. You become part of a community that believes art isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity, a tool for healing, and yes, a reason to survive.

Explore the “A.R.T.S.” collection and join us in supporting both Andrew Thompson’s meaningful design work and ARTS’s life-changing mission. Together, we can ensure that more young people have access to the transformative power of creativity.

When we support the arts, we support survival, growth, and hope.