Connecting people in our desert community through artful and fun experiences.
Escape Station started as a collaboration between two friends living in Phoenix – Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker and Eric Torres.
Our group provides opportunities for the public to interact through art and gameplay. Our focus is on activities which foster a sense of discovery and promote togetherness.
For example, we support interactive public arts projects. This may involve producing art/design materials, managing installations and logistical planning. We organize tabletop gaming events to connect local gamers and also offer workshops, Q&A sessions and presentations highlighting the business of game design.
Each day, we see examples which highlight the importance of connection in our community. With Escape Station we provide opportunities for people to connect to content, products, experiences and most importantly – each other.
To discuss an event opportunity, please contact Eric here.
Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker
Kevin was born in the mountains of Colorado, but raised in the sonorous Sonoran Desert, with brief stops in Washington, Hawaii and Australia. A poet, musician, writer, actor and artist, Kevin seeks to foster a creative life in his home of Phoenix, Arizona and beyond.
His credentials include a BA in English from University of Puget Sound, an MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University, a 20-plus year career as an arts administrator and for most of his adult life he's been performing spoken word, storytelling, playing in bands or as a DJ.
Kevin has banked a wealth of wisdom regarding writing, performing and visual art projects, either on his own, through collaborations or by managing projects for others. He developed his project management skills working for organizations such as the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Derix Art Glass Consultants, Scottsdale Arts, Shemer Art Center and Mesa Arts Center, and cultivated knowledge in others through teaching for University of Arizona Global Campus and University of Phoenix.
Kevin collaborates on Escape Station projects with his friend, Eric Torres, in an effort to create meaningful and mindful public art and gaming experiences for his fellow humans.
Eric Torres
Eric specializes in visual communication, game design and illustration. Recent work includes projects with non-profit organizations, creative agencies and most currently W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc as a Design Director.
Eric brings a multi-disciplined approach to his creative process. His experience as a visual communicator, as well as creative writer and world-builder, allow him to create immersive stories. It’s these stories which inform much of his efforts as an entrepreneur. He’s spent years exhibiting his wares at pop-culture conventions, design industry events and pop-up shows throughout the valley.
As part of ongoing personal growth, Eric participates as an active member of the Phoenix design community. He volunteers on behalf of organizations such as AIGA Arizona, Phoenix Design Week and local universities. As a small business owner, Eric publishes original design merchandise through his creative studio Eric Imagines.
Through these endeavors and those of Escape Station, Eric seeks to support, encourage, and learn from fellow creatives throughout our desert community.
Christopher Bouthner
Chris is a game designer and owner of a publishing company. He has successfully launched multiple tabletop games and has many projects currently in active development. His focus is on creating family-friendly products that are easy to learn but engaging to play.
Chris has been creating things since he can remember starting with hand drawn comics as a kid to writing screenplays as a teenager and now creating games as an adult. He has always had a passion for storytelling and making things that bring others joy. He also enjoys fostering and supporting that same kind of creativity in others.
While he operates his publishing company, Chris draws inspiration from his three young sons, often incorporating their ideas and input into projects. It is his objective to not only fulfill his passion for creativity but also encourage young ones to do the same.
As part of Escape Station his objective is to help create and facilitate fun events which bring people of all ages together for shared experiences.