The Importance of Being Thankful

I’ve written in a previous blog post about the importance of saying THANK YOU, but I feel the need to address the subject again.

I have donated 10 paintings to The Art Connection since 2006, when I first learned of this worthy cause, and the reactions (and non-reactions) to my donations from the non-profit organizations that have selected my work have been varied and revealing.

The Art Connection recommends to these recipient organizations, in writing, that they send a thank-you note to the artists whose work they’ve selected. Here are the various responses I have received from the 9 agencies that have received my artwork over the years:

5 of the organizations never contacted me at all
1 organization asked me for a(nother) donation for a fund-raising event (!!)
2 organizations sent me hand-written thank-you notes (way to go, Ronald McDonald House and Harbour House Family Center!)

And the winner of the Mother Raised You Right Award goes to the Mattapan Community Health Center, which not only sent me a lovely thank-you letter but also held a party for all of the artists who had donated work to their facility!

Now I’m not expecting anything fancy, like a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers. And I know people are very, very busy; I’m sure most of the folks at these non-profit organizations are overworked and underpaid, or they may even be volunteers. BUT a simple two-sentence note, even in an email – “Thank you so much for your donation. We really appreciate your generosity” – goes a long way in the good will, good karma department. And after all, isn’t that what a human service organization is supposed to be about?

Image shown above: "Sunset Web," a new artwork I've just donated to the Art Connection.

ETA: Upon reading this blog entry, Sarah Berry, the Art Connection's Program Manager, updated me with the following information:

"As you noted we do alert agencies that sending a thank you note is a critical step in the process. In fact, we do so three separate times:

1) At their preliminary site visit
2) In their confirmation packet

And starting in July (when I came on as full time program manager), I added it to the agency Six Month Report, a third reminder. We mention an agency art reception all those times as well, though I suspect many of our agencies don’t have it in their budget."

A chance to brighten the walls

Excellent -- my painting "Butter" (acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 28" square) has been chosen to belong to REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, a Waltham-based organization that acts as center for refuge, education, advocacy and change. This is a donation I have made through the Art Connection in Boston. I hope it brightens someone's day!

"Parade" finds new home at homeless shelter

My painting "Parade," below (acrylic and spray-paint on canvas, 28" square, 2003) has been chosen by the Harbour House Family Center to hang in their New Bedford facility. Prior to installation in its new home, the painting will be exhibited at the Artworks! gallery in New Bedford as part of a show of other art selected for Harbour House, a family homeless shelter. For more information, please click here.

This is a donation I have made through the Art Connection, a Boston-based organization that places artworks in non-profit settings.

I hope the painting helps bring cheer to its new surroundings!

"Wrap" selected through the Art Connection

I am delighted to report that my painting, "Wrap" (pictured below), has been selected by the Boston Ronald McDonald House to decorate their Teen Room. This painting has been donated through the Art Connection. I'm so glad to think that my artwork may brighten someone's day, especially someone who might be going through a tough time and need the inspiration of some cheering color.

A worthy recipient

I dropped off my painting "Presto" (acrylic and spray-paint on canvas, 28" square) at the Art Connection this week. It will be donated to the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights at the Boston Medical Center, an organization that "strives to create a healing environment where refugees and torture survivors can connect, feel safe, and renew their lives."

I am honored that my artwork has been chosen by such a worthy recipient, and hope that my painting will brighten the Center, and provide interest and inspiration to the patients and employees.

I love the Art Connection! Working with them always reminds me of the power of art to bring good to the world.

Art making a difference

I have had another painting placed by the Art Connection, the third piece I've donated through them so far. This one is will go to Victory Housing on Warren Street, a new residential program in Boston for adults who are homeless.

I believe the Art Connection to be a most worthy organization. I see so much need around me, locally and globally. People are poor, ill, lonely, depressed, desperate, hungry, down on their luck. It can be overwhelming to figure out how to help, especially when I can just about pay my bills at the end of the month.

But if I can't help with money, I can help with art. I like to think someone who visits one of the community service organizations that has selected my work through the Art Connection might be cheered by seeing my painting, or relaxed by it, or in some way have their spirits renewed or uplifted. There is a powerful potential for good when we come in contact with a work of art that has been created lovingly by human hands, and given in a spirit of hope and sharing.

While I believe that everyone has innate creative ability, we as visual artists have been given a special kind of creativity that not everyone is blessed with. We can best give thanks for this gift by using it in service of others.

It's wonderful to help deserving public-service organizations with money, if you have it. But if you have art to give, that has the potential to be just as valuable.

My painting finds a great new home

I am delighted to report that my painting "Beam," above, has been selected by the Mattapan Community Health Center for their permanent art collection, to be displayed at their school-based health clinic, through the Art Connection.

Beam is 20" square and made of acrylic and spray paint on canvas.

Artists, the Art Connection is a wonderful way to bring your work to viewers who might not ordinarily attend an art gallery, or who otherwise might not see original art work at all -- the clients and staff of non-profit organizations in the Boston area, often health care and counseling centers. It gives me (and others I've talked to who have donated to the Art Connection) a great feeling, knowing that we are making a difference in our community, directly through our art.