In part one of our two-part story with the Stone Fishes, Spectrum News 1's Kevin Hayes took a look at a homecoming for a family using arts and positivity to overcome the side effects of a war overseas. 

Fighting hate and antisemitism across platforms is not derailing that mission.

When Hughie and Avery Stone Fish come home to New York, it is rarely just for some rest and relaxation.

"Now we're fortunate to have the platform and the influence that whenever we come to town, we also have events that center us and that we get to share our perspective with people who, like the young Jewish teens in Syracuse need some positivity in some light," said Avery.

Part of their homecoming has been hijacked by the Israel-Hamas war and how it's exposed waves of hate towards Jews around the globe and in the United States. That includes talking to local Jewish students or continuing their work with The Arts Project Syracuse.

"We're just filled with gratitude around the idea that we get to come back to the place that we live that gave us so much," Avery added. "We're both just so grateful that we get to from L.A. and still have a connection to our hometown."

They recently filmed some of the last scenes of a music video for Hughie's new solo album, andw went to a familiar well of talent and inspiration.

"It's not just about having these kids become artists," Hughie said. "It's about having them live a life that's enriched by the arts, and it's about us building long-term connections with these kids. And by building long-term connections with them, we are instilling in them a lifelong space for themselves in the art."

In most of the music videos Hughie and Avery have produced over the years, there are some familiar faces and part of what keeps them going through troubled times on this trip.

"We get to see these kids grow up because we have taken action to bring arts education to the town that we grew up in, and to try to actually make a difference in the lives of these kids who, as you can see, they're just like deserving of so much," said Avery.

"So getting to be a continuous part of these kids' lives and being a continuous source of art for them is what we strive to do," Hughie added.

Despite successful album listening party, music video shot and speaking engagements, the work continues.

"No matter what's happening in my own heart, in my own sadness, like we're here, making art with these kids who don't deserve to not have art because things are happening in the world," noted Hughie. "They deserve to have every beautiful experience in life. And getting to come here and work with them and bring them that art makes everything a little bit easier."