I am really excited to share this incredible site with you today (thanks to a reader who gave me the heads up about it!). Art Lifting is a curated art site, but with a purpose. It empowers homeless and disabled people by selling their works online (where 55% of the profits go to the artists themselves). There are originals, prints and even cell phone cases. Founded in Boston (yay!) by Liz Powers, a Harvard graduate who received a grant to create art groups in homeless shelters and through that saw the amazing talent of the people she was helping. But the art they produces was tossed or forgotten- so Liz decided to start this company. I absolutely LOVE this concept and wanted to share with you some of the work I thought was great in hopes that we can all spread the word about this resource and help get more art groups for those struggling across the country!!
Mike Gosbee creates his collages at Hospitality House which serves homeless and poverty stricken individuals in the San Francisco area. As someone who worked in collage in college I happen to think he is insanely talented!
Lindsay Abromaitis-Smith has ALS and uses her feet to paint after losing the ability to use her arms and hands to the disease.
Tim Strouss has partial paralysis from complications from a surgery, but that has not limited him from creating incredible abstract pieces.
Judi has struggled with bi-polar disorder for many years and finds success, energy and hope through painting.
Elizabeth Belstraz gives talks for the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance.
Grace Goad was diagnosed with autism, intellectual disabilities and a speech disorder at age 2. She is a very successful painter and has even been on The View!
Shannon’s fascinating work is also created at Hospitality House in San Francisco.
Christine Nelson experienced a stroke that limits her ability to speak and finds are to be a way to communicate without words.
Susan Brandner is currently homeless and struggles with PTSD, depression and anxiety but says that when she’s making art she is able to forget for a moment about her struggles.
Andrew Weatherly has Downs Syndrome and loves painting and photography.
David McCauley suffered an accident which left him paralyzed from the waist down and with limited use of his hands. His photographs and paintings helped him heal.
Cameron Meek has been battling mental illness and paints at a therapeutic residential community.
[…] place, and it connects people. Last week, we came across a very inspirational company (thanks to Elements of Style for sharing). We wanted to help spread the word about this company with a great mission and also […]
Erin,
Thank you for sharing – truly amazing pieces. There is true and genuine talent behind every piece – much better than art I have seen from artists represented from traditional galleries.
Thank you for sharing this cause! Great pieces of art!
This is an amazing organization (and art!) and thank you for sharing.
Along the same lines, in Boston, you will enjoy Artists for Humanity. https://afhboston.org/aboutus.html
This special art center in South Boston, is a nonprofit that employs at risk teens from the lowest income sectors in Boston after school. Artists for Humanity provides these teens with a mentor, a safe place to go after school, a venue for selling art and instills an incredible sense of purpose and self-worth. To get the best sense of the organization, it is well worth a visit to the center to meet with the amazing Director and see the teens at work. The art that is produced is wonderful and the spirit throughout the organization is inspiring. I wish they had their art posted online!
Beautiful pieces! Thank you for showcasing their works of art – I will be sharing this!
SmART ART!!! franki
Thank you for sharing this site. Beautiful.
Looking forward to checking out the artists’ work.
What a great art resource, and what an important cause to support – thank you for sharing!
You rock!!! Such a great post. Thank you for sharing!
These works of art are beautiful! What a wonderful cause. Thank you for sharing this!
How beautiful! What a wonderful way to help others… Thank you SO much for sharing.
This is what a great blog should be all about…..
Promoting those who’s own efforts can’t reach the audience that you have.
Great job, Henry’s mom!
Love love LOVE this post! What talented people. I want to get back into art myself but I have self doubts. I just love seeing people be able to dig deep to create these beautiful pieces. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing!
Awesome post! The pieces are amazing!! I am going to explore further!
Thanks for sharing Erin!!
What great pieces – I just ordered one! Thank you for sharing.
This is amazing!!! Crying out loud, more people should share this….
Dear Erin,
Bless you for doing this. The Cause and the Art are both amazing! I will pass on the link to everyone I can think of that will appreciate both.
Love this!! There is such healing power through art.
AMAZING and INSPIRING! Thank you for sharing!
What a great website. That Winter Worlds by Andrew Weatherly is stunning. Love them all. Thanks.
WOW!
I am so impressed. These are all gallery quality pieces. Thank you so much for sharing!
I will spread the word!
Stunning pieces. Great use of your blog to promote this wonderful program and showcase some amazing art.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
I just clicked on several artists and am even more blown away. Please everybody, go take a look!