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.

Memorial Crutches

Crutch Painting Helps to Heal HeartaChE from Great Personal LossES


Ashley Eckstein tries to paint with a brush in her mouth while Skylar Marsh looks on
The Crutches & Colors curriculum field test at Lorena Elementary School had a surprising result in helping to heal heartache following the recent deaths of a custodian's son and of friend of a Lorena Elementary School student.

Vicki Ash, a custodian at Lorena Elementary School, lost her son Matt on December 3, 2009. Matt was attending ATI trade school to pursue a career in HVAC, and he was at the top of his class.  Matt loved sports and recently made 1st string running back on the Texas Twisters semi-pro football team.  He also loved video games and anything outdoors.

A crutch was painted in honor of Matthew by fellow custodian Kathy DeWitt and two students, Brycen Marberry and Zachary Stabeno. Said Vicki about the crutch painted in her son's honor, "He would’ve really been proud of this honor, and we as his family are grateful for this.... May God bless the one who receives the crutch."


Pictured above, from left to right, are Kathy DeWitt, Dr. Fred Sorrells, Brycen Marberry, Vicki Ash and Zachary Zabeno.

Ashley Eckstein tries to paint with a brush in her mouth while Skylar Marsh looks on
Braedon Herbelin, pictured right with Dr. Fred Sorrells, lost his close friend Nick Bolin to complications from H1N1 on Monday, December 14, 2009.

Braedon was so traumatized by his friend's death that he could not participate in the crutch painting that day. He was having trouble controlling his grief, so his teacher Ella Snodgrass directed Braedon to a book while the class continued with the crutch painting project.

Later the same day, Kathy DeWitt brought the crutch painting that had just been completed in memory of Matt Ash into the classroom for the the class to see, including Braedon.

On Tuesday Braedon came to school completely changed and with a mission to do a crutch painting in memory of his friend Nick.  Braedon started working on decorating a crutch immediately and created a beautiful piece with Nick's name adorning the bottom.

Said Braedon's teacher Ella Snodgrass, "Painting the crutch gave the child a tangible way to handle his grief and to do it in a positive way so the legacy of his friend could live on.  In doing so, Braedon also blessed another person, the recipient of crutch."