ArtRay Collective

Turning Art into Pathways for Wellbeing

About Us

ArtRay Collective is a nonprofit organization based in La Jolla, California, bringing arts experiences to older adults through community collaboration. We bring together artists, community partners, and perspectives from public health to create welcoming opportunities for artistic participation.

Our approach is informed by arts-based social prescribing: connecting people with creative activities that reflect their interests and support wellbeing. We focus on the relationships and practical support that help people take part and stay connected.

  • Artistic Excellence: Thoughtfully designed arts experiences that value artistic quality and individual expression.

  • Intergenerational Connection: Bringing generations together through shared creative experiences that encourage mutual learning and belonging.

  • Wellbeing with Purpose: Arts participation guided by clear wellbeing goals and shaped around participants’ interests and needs.

Our Programs

“A Splash of Color”

A watercolor series at the senior living community, Chateau La Jolla

Our first program is a five-session watercolor series for residents of Chateau La Jolla, led by artist and instructor Olga Monico and supported by a dedicated ArtRay team of facilitators. Participants explore color and painting through step-by-step guidance in a welcoming group setting.

Informed by arts-based social prescribing, the program is designed with participants’ health and wellbeing in mind. It aims to support emotional wellbeing, strengthen social connection, and encourage a sense of belonging through meaningful creative participation. Activities are adapted to participants’ interests, comfort, and pace as the series develops.

Our Team

Euna Cho

Euna is an arts administrator and researcher focused on arts engagement for wellbeing, particularly creative aging and arts-based social prescribing. As the founder of ArtRay Collective, she draws on community practice to inform research and create meaningful opportunities for arts participation. She is a PhD candidate in Arts and Cultural Management at Hongik University, where her research explores how local arts resources can support wellbeing in senior living communities. Her background also includes more than 12 years as an equity analyst. Her broader vision is to extend this work to South Korea.

Founder & Executive Lead

Olga Monico

Olga Monico is a local La Jolla resident and artist with a lifelong love of painting and creative expression. She has pursued extensive artistic study, including courses at the New York Academy of Art, and regularly participates in La Jolla’s Art Walk. She primarily works in oil painting and is inspired by the beauty of nature, the California coast, and the simple moments that bring joy and connection. Olga loves sharing her passion for art with others and believes that creativity is for everyone. She especially enjoys creating a relaxed and encouraging environment where people can explore their creativity, learn something new, and simply enjoy the process of making art.

Visual Art Program Lead
Archive & Communication Lead

Wanya Korn

Wanya supports ArtRay through photography, visual documentation, and communication. Her work helps build the collective’s visual archive and share its activities with the wider community.

Health & Wellbeing Lead

Deepa Mandyam

Deepa brings a public health perspective to ArtRay Collective, helping shape programs that consider participation, social connection, and well-being in the design and delivery of arts experiences. Her work is grounded in a holistic approach to health, with a focus on how arts engagement can contribute to positive outcomes for individuals and communities. She brings prior experience in healthcare, including roles in program development and administration.