About SOHO

We all need a place where we can feel safe and valued in our community. We need positive role models and opportunities to use our hands to create. We are never too young or too old to explore and dream about what we can become in life. SOHO is transforming the lives of women and girls—inside and out.

SOHO’s mission is to give each participant unique, hands-on art experiences in order to cultivate a positive view of her future along with the motivation and ability to be strong, confident and creative leaders.

SOHO’s purposeful program design provides meaningful leadership development for women and supports some of Richmond’s girls most in need. Twelve women and twelve 6^th grade girls living in Richmond’s public housing learn how to lead through the complexity and uncertainty of life. By experiencing leadership and life training through hands-on learning, art exploration, and creative mentoring, SOHO women and girls expand the way they see and engage in relationships.

SOHO culminates with a bedroom make-over for each girl that incorporates all the art projects created in SOHO. Together, they transform bedrooms into positive, colorful, inspiring spaces where girls can study, rest, and dream. Art-making becomes life changing when each girl has an inspiring friend who has made the commitment to listen and encourage her dreams. These relationships continue on after the conclusion of the program.

The first SOHO: Space of Her Own program at VisArts began in the fall of 2008. Since that time the program has affected the lives of over 100 women and girls.  Many mentors have remained close to their "little sister" and continued supporting them through high school and even college.



SOHO was generously funded in 2013-2014 by:

Lipman Foundation
Luck Foundation
Human Diagnostics Laboratories
Golden Rule Foundation

Thank you to our 2013-2014 in-kind sponsors:

Space of Her Own: SOHO is an affiliate member of the Virginia Mentoring Partnership