Early this fall, teens enrolled in art programs through One River School of Art + Design, the first national network of contemporary art schools, created original artwork honoring women with breast cancer. The initiative, called the “Pink Art Project,” is a partnership between the art school and Chicago-based BrightPink, an organization dedicated to saving women’s lives from breast and ovarian cancer.
“One of the best moments at One River is when we teach our students the value of ‘doing well by doing good,” Matt Ross, One River founder and CEO, said in a statement. “Our students get to learn about the courage women have to command to deal with breast cancer and they get to honor them with an original work of art. It teaches the very basic lesson that art making can have an important message and you can have a voice that makes a difference via your art at a really young age.”
As part of the partnership, the One River School has selected artist Liz Luisada to make an original painting that will be celebrated through a limited edition print. The print is available at the One River School website and all net proceeds from sales will go to the charity. Various other items that benefit the BrightPink organization are available on the BrightPink website.
“When we can tie some real social value to our lessons, I know we are making a real difference with our students and our communities,” said Ross. “One of the best things of all is we are going to exhibit our students’ work in public places, so that this art project can have an even greater impact promoting breast cancer awareness.”
One River School of Art + Design currently operates eight school in five states, including schools throughout the metro New York area, Dallas, Chicago, and Portland, OR. One River hopes to expand their reach by opening a dozen new schools over the next twelve months.
