SAN DIEGO–ARTS – A Reason To Survive, a San Diego based organization that provides, supports, and advocates for arts programs that heal, inspire, and empower youth facing adversity, is hosting a free open house on March 22.

The 1 to 4 p.m event will allow the public and community to view the facility and student artwork from last semester.

“The goal of this Open House is twofold; it gives students a chance to showcase their most recent art and allows the public to learn more about the work we do” said Matt D’Arrigo, founder and CEO of ARTS. “The goal is that the event will inspire others to get involved with ARTS.”

The ARTS facility will be open to the public to tour and learn more about their programs and enrollment. There will also be a gallery show featuring student artwork from last semester including visual arts, ceramics, photography, words on clay, bike rack project, urban planning and more. There will be performances by ARTS Record Label, Advanced Ensemble, Empower Music and Sonic Exploration, which are all comprised of ARTS students. The ARTS Record Label will also be releasing their CD, which will be available for purchase at the Open House.

“The students are eager to show off the artwork they have worked so hard on these past few months,” said D’Arrigo. “These kids serve as examples of the ability of art to transform lives.”

The ARTS facility in National City consists of visual arts, media arts, dance/theater and music departments and more, each of which strives to create positive transformations in youth facing adversity. The space encompasses two buildings and has over 20,000 square feet of creative space, including a new industrial arts room, resource library, and performing arts building.

For information on ARTS or the March 22 Open House, visit www.areasontosurvive.org.