Culture Chauraha

At Culture Chauraha, we believe art is not just about making things — it is about creating connection and community. The word “Chauraha” comes from Hindi and refers to a village Choupal, a landmark in Northern India: often under a large tree, in a courtyard, where people gathered to exchange stories, news, ideas, and moments from everyday life. That spirit of community and shared experience sits at the heart of everything we do.Culture Chauraha was founded in New Delhi in 2015 by artist and educator Smriti Sangal alongside her mother, an art teacher of over 30 years and Smriti’s very first creative influence. Rooted in a family lineage where artistic knowledge passed from grandmother to mother to daughter, our work is deeply connected to heritage, storytelling, and the belief that creativity should be accessible to everyone. Smriti is a graduate of University of the Arts London, where she earned her MFA before expanding Culture Chauraha’s programming internationally. Since moving to the U.S. in 2023, Smriti has continued building welcoming, beginner-friendly creative spaces across New Jersey and New York through workshops in libraries, community centers, and cultural institutions. Through painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and mixed-media workshops, the studio aim to create spaces where people of all ages can slow down, reconnect with creativity, and build meaningful community through art. At Culture Chauraha, we foster inclusive, process-driven environments where participants are encouraged to experiment, reflect, and grow at their own pace. Our classes and workshops aim not only to build technical skills, but to nurture confidence, curiosity, and joy in creative expression.