About Us
Founded in 2022 by Ari Wolff and a small group of 3rd–5th graders, Citation Needed began as an experiment in publishing. Since then, it has grown into a multigenerational art studio, workshop series, and independent small press. Ari serves as Founder and Director, overseeing and collaborating on Citation Needed’s artistic direction, arts-based literacy pedagogy, editorial work, staff training, and family engagement.
In 2024, Citation Needed expanded to work with multiple teaching artists, editors, designers, and volunteers, taking on a more formal structure as a workshop series and small press. Cristina Ferrigno supported this process and now serves as Citation Needed’s Studio Director, offering her expertise as a facilitator, curriculum designer, organizer, and place-based learning specialist. Cristina also oversees our multifaceted print, design, and studio operations.
Despite still being a mostly two-person team, Citation Needed is actively expanding to become a robust network of teaching artists, volunteers, designers, writers, children, and families. We have been and continue to be fortunate to partner with incredible teaching artists including Kevin Quiles Bonilla, Stephanie Alvarado, Isa Dorvillier, Pau Tiu, and Natalie Raskin.
We are so grateful for our Volunteer and Fairs Coordinator, Helen Yang, who joined us as a volunteer designer in 2025. She officially joined the team in early 2026, helping coordinate and organize our volunteer opportunities. You can sign up to volunteer with us here.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create liberatory learning environments and publications that prioritize joy, creative exploration, and multigenerational dialogue. We view publishing as a tool for self-expression, literacy development, and the exchange of ideas, strategies, and resources. Through our workshops, we engage this tradition by inviting children, artists, and communities into collaborative authorship.
We are committed to creating spaces that prioritize unlearning systems of oppression and honor the humanity of all people. We recognize the potential of creative writing, drawing, and bookmaking as vital pathways for education, intergenerational organizing, and youth justice.
Contact us.
citationneededpress@gmail.com
@citation_ needed_ press