Local artist Smriti Sangal, is on a mission to build local relationships through art.
Local residents get to know each other and are able to connect across cultures and generations at their area libraries. In the Burlington County Library System, local artist Smriti Sangal, is on a mission to build relationships through art. A multimedia artist and art educator, she hosts workshops that cover art mediums from painting to printmaking. Â
“In every class or workshop, I begin with a simple belief: Everyone is artistic,” Sangal explained. “Technique, to me, is not a measure of talent or ability, but a pathway into creativity. I design each project, so participants learn essential fundamentals – such as color, composition and material handling – while still having ample freedom to explore, experiment and make mistakes along the way.”
The space Sangal creates is a “low-pressure environment where curiosity is encouraged, questions are always welcome, and personal stories can naturally weave into the work,” she says. That’s how confidence in one’s artwork is built, Sangal believes, and offering workshops in local libraries is key.
“Libraries were a very intentional choice for us,” she acknowledged. “They are inclusive, trusted community spaces where people of all ages already feel comfortable. We believe art should be accessible, and libraries allow us to reach individuals who may not otherwise seek out an art studio or formal class.”
Sangal limits her workshops to 20 people in order to create a supportive environment where each participant gets attention. She describes her workshops as beginner friendly and engaging, with a focus on “self-expression rather than technical perfection.”
Workshop participants, Sangal shared, are typically seeking a creative outlet or a way to manage stress.
“What often surprises them is how quickly the act of creating unlocks something deeper – confidence, calm and genuine connection,” she pointed out, “along with the pure joy of learning how to work with new materials and techniques.”
Participants leave Sangal’s workshops “feeling lighter, more grounded and proud of what they’ve created.” In the past couple of years, she has held regional library workshops with titles like “Watercolor Florals,” “Relief Carving” and “DIY Printmaking.”
A native of India, Sangal has a bachelor’s in fine arts from Delhi University there and a masters from Wimbledon College of Art, University of the Arts London. She has led art programs connecting global audiences to contemporary art in effort to foster community engagement.
Sangal, along with her mother, founded an arts and culture blog in New Delhi in 2015. Culture Chauraha – at culturechauraha.com/about us – grew from the artist offering articles, recipes and stories, and now includes workshops and classes covering a wide range of art mediums.
“The word ‘Chauraha’ means ‘crossroads’ in Hindi,” Sangal pointed out, “reflecting our mission: connecting ideas, people and cultures through art.”
Sangal recalled that her mother, a longtime art educator, was her first art teacher.
“She always gave me the freedom and space to explore my creativity,” Sangal added, “and growing up in her studio, I had access to all the art material I could dream of.”
Since moving to the U.S. in 2023, Culture Chauraha has grown throughout New Jersey and New York.
“My teaching is grounded in the belief that creativity is for everyone, regardless of age, background or experience,” Sangal stated. “I like to foster inclusive, process-driven environments where students are encouraged to experiment, reflect and grow at their own pace.
“The classes/workshops aim not only to build technical skills, but to nurture confidence, curiosity and joy in creative expression.”
