OUR MISSION

The Global Art Initiative's mission is to break the poverty cycle for disabled artists in Third World Countries. We are a non-profit focused on education and the sale of original artwork to benefit handicapped artists globally. We engage children and adults in art projects geared to developing an understanding of disability and the awareness that artistic ability is not limited by a disability.  Our hope is that through their experience with the Global Art Initiative, participants will take compassionate action, becoming donors in the larger shared humanitarian project.

Global Crutch Project Launched

Dr. Fred Sorrells with Rose Adolphe on new crutches

New Major Initiative

During a recent Global Art Initiative (GAIN) art exhibition at The Gables in downtown Dallas, GAIN announced the launch of a major new initiative – the Global Crutch Project.  The initiative will provide artistic mobility to handicapped residents of Third World Countries while growing empathy and providing community building and service opportunities in the United States.  Children attending the exhibition painted donated crutches.

GAIN coordinates efforts in communities to collect used or new metal crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.

 Children painting a donated crutch

GAIN partners with the Boys and Girls Clubs, Schools, Courts, Sports Clubs and other youth organizations to turn the crutches into works of art. Children view pictures and DVD’s of those in need to grow empathy and gain a vision for their art.  They paint the crutches with colored markers. Organizers number and catalog the children’s work.

Amputee soccer players using forarm crutches

GAIN partners with organizations such as Rotaries, Kiwanis,  American Youth Soccer Association and other service organizations to transport the crutches, sending representatives to meet the shipment and distribute them to those in need. Forearm crutches are distributed to amputee soccer teams.  Photos are taken and recipients are photographed and recorded. Pictures are sent to children whose artwork will now provide mobility and walk the streets of foreign countries.

GAIN and partners collect the old broken crutches and utilize them as support for canvases paintings created by handicapped artists. Sale of these crutch paintings further support GAIN’s programs.  Crutch paintings from around the Third World will tour the country speaking of the struggle, need, and testifying to the human spirit at its best.

 Segment of a painted metal crutch

Colorful works of art providing mobility for daily life and sport, created in love by American children in the hands of the disabled around the world. A beautiful sight!

At the upcoming Kids Day Out program on Saturday, September 12, in Burnet, Texas kids can get involved with the Global Crutch Project. They will ask neighbors and relatives for crutches to bring to the program.  After painting the crutches, they can exchange them for a free print done by a GAIN disabled artist.

For more information on Kid's Day Out in Burnet, TX, call Dr. Fred Sorrells at (214) 674-6196.