#givingtuesday

Giving Back this Season

This year, we continue our tradition of making a donation to a non-profit within the art industry on #givingtuesday.  We were so inspired last year by the Artworks Foundation that we chose them again this year.  The work they are doing to enrich the lives of pediatric patients through the arts is life-changing, and we hope you will join us in supporting them!

Founded in 2002, ArtWorks, The Naomi Cohain Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the healthcare experience of pediatric patients through the arts. ArtWorks provides children and young adults starting from birth to age 24 facing chronic and life-limiting illnesses, and their families, access to creative and performing arts programs that serve as a vehicle for healing, communication, self- expression and personal development.

Isabella and Dylan began creating with ArtWorks when Isabella was admitted to St. Barnabas Hospital at the young age of 3½. Isabella is now 8 years old, and Dylan 6 years old, and they continue to make amazing masterpieces and collaborate on pieces to submit to ArtWorks’ Express Yourself showcase!

“I first saw the ArtWorks art carts while I was in St. Barnabas Hospital when I was 3½ years old. I loved making art in the hospital! It was so much fun, and it helped me forget how much I missed my brother and how badly I wanted to go home. My brother and I have been making art and performing in ArtWorks Express Yourself every year. Next year, I want to volunteer to help!”

Isabella, Artworks Young Artist

ARTWORKS PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

  • Teaching Artists Program invites Teaching Artists into the hospital setting to offer our Young Artists workshops and one-on-one sessions.
  • Surprise!Supplies brings art supplies and craft kits to our Young Artists through specifically designed mobile art carts, providing opportunities to create throughout the day, especially for our Young Artists who are not able to leave their beds.
  • Express Yourself is a biannual creative and performing arts exhibition in New York and New Jersey inviting our Young Artists to take part in a program of awe-inspiring performances and a gallery exhibition.

Sometimes, you feel like you’re all alone in the world. That there are other people there, but either they don’t listen to you, or you just feel like they can’t understand you, what you’re feeling, or what you’ve been through. That’s what motivates and inspires me to make art, since art is the universal language.

-Daniel, Artworks Alum