the mission

The Art of Saving Humanity procures resources and opportunities for globally displaced artists in an effort to prevent cultural loss.

the problem

Over 120 MILLION human beings are displaced from their homes right now due to wars, acts of terror, ethnic cleansing, and other persecution.

This is the highest number in recorded history.

Refugees spend an average of 10-20 years stuck in refugee camps and emergency housing.

Upon resettlement, lives are inexorably altered. The struggle to become self-sufficient in a foreign land is met by barriers of communication, acceptance, and understanding. Talent and skill are rarely utilized, as labor is often menial and opportunistic by necessity.

In a generation's time, arts practices can vanish.

Without the arts, cultures die.

the goals

Starting locally as a pilot program in 2017, the Art of Saving Humanity collected art supply donations, ran art workshops for King County refugees of all ages, and created a permanent studio space for locally resettled refugees to gather for healing through art and freedom of creative expression. We promoted resulting artwork through our online gallery and social media, local art walks, and public art exhibitions.

In 2024, our efforts have focused in on the conservation of threatened arts practices. Artists conscripted, exiled, oppressed, imprisoned, displaced and resettled can hardly consider making time or space to create. We are losing potential art in a way that cannot be quantified, with repercussions that can never be qualified. It is an invisible crisis within a crisis. Our goal going forward is to seek out funding and create opportunities for artists whose spirits are in danger of being dimmed; to discover and elevate the unrecognized and underserved artists in danger of being lost in the senseless shuffle.

The sum of these efforts will work toward the following goals:

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the motivation

To hand someone a blank canvas is to invite them to share their mind, their heart, their soul. It is a profound validation. To experience their resulting art is a profound honor.

I think that is why this project ignites such a passion in people. There is something special about feeling personally connected to your neighbors, sharing stories and experiences through an open invitation.

Intolerance starts as a small seed of fear. If fed, it grows in strength, depth, breadth and reach. We are living in unprecedented times, with historic numbers of innocent people violently displaced from their homes and from their countries, only to be turned away by more fear and intolerance in a new country. Communication has ceased. Instead of sharing blank canvases and free expression, we are blocking one another with walls and weapons. It is impossible for civilization to progress in this manner.

While this project was borne out of a feeling of hopeless frustration, it immediately blossomed into a source of hope, optimism, and proactive support of and by the community. By simply facilitating an opportunity for people to help, an entire community sprung into action with eager enthusiasm. That positive energy and excitement has boomeranged from long-time resident to welcomed newcomer and back.

This started as a livelihood program first and foremost, intended to repurpose old art supplies and equipment as an opportunity for self-sufficiency and preservation of arts practices. Helping artists sustain themselves and building community relationships as a side effect. In 2024, after a pause caused by the disruption of a pandemic, we are focusing in on the conservation of threatened arts practices.

Art is a medium so powerful that it enables communication without boundaries. If anything can repair our diminishing humanity, it will be a deliberate, shared expression of our collective hearts and minds.

My goal is to reach out to every entity I can think of for collaborative assistance to grow this program and its impact as big as it can possibly get. There has been an overwhelming groundswell of support for this program, and I am far from acting alone in these efforts. The donors page lists many of the generous people in this community who make this project possible, though it leaves out many other sources of support. I ride on the coat tails of unsung gentle giants.