Today we’d like to introduce you to Maureen And Katie
Hi Maureen and Katie , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Best friends, Maureen Sullivan and Katie Carr co-founded a non profit 501c3 called Everyday Art. After Katie, an abstract oil painter, suffered a traumatic near death experience in January of 2024, resulting in the loss of her left leg above the knee, Maureen shared with Katie she had an idea where Katie could always have a place to do her art. From there, Everyday Art was born.
They currently have an online art gallery where they continuously add art from the “Everyday” Artist. Someone that is not a professional, but someone who creates. They host their pieces online and split the proceeds when a sale occurs. In addition, Everyday Art hosts art classes and workshops where Katie takes an hour showing everyday people how you can create abstract artwork using plaster as a technique for texture. They have a Doctor of Psychology, Morgan Weatherly, assisting with workshops to narrate the class with techniques for mindfulness and using art as therapy.
The third part of the mission is funding art kits. Maureen and Katie assemble and deliver, free of charge, to surrounding hospitals, outpatient facilities, places of rehabilitation, and anywhere patients can explore creatively while receiving care.
These art kits consist of a box including paint brushes, paints, and a canvas. They include a card with the option of having Everyday Art come and teach a class, complimentary, or offer the ability to handle in house through OT, PT or whatever vehicle is appropriate
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everyday Art was born out of tragedy. On January 8th, 2024, Katie suffered an unexpected trauma when she went into surgery for a robotic hysterectomy. Upon entry, the surgeon cut her vena cava vein and that led to an 11 day coma. Ultimately, the damage led to compartment syndrome and sepsis. This resulted in an amputation of her leg, above the knee.
The idea of Everyday Art stemmed from Maureen when Katie was in the coma. She wanted to create something where Katie could always have a place to do her art. Katie is a self taught abstract artist in her spare time and loves to create. Maureen shared this idea with Katie and the brainstorming began, they then created Everyday Art.
The challenges that we have faced include the formation of Everyday Art as a non profit organization. Better known as, a 501c3. Paperwork and the time it took to fill out the paperwork were the biggest hurdles.
Surprisingly, this endeavor has been a smooth road. Not including the massive paperwork that entails starting a non-profit.
As you know, we’re big fans of Everyday Art. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
In addition to the beginning description, we are always looking for artists! We encourage people to visit our website and contact us with information and/or to schedule an art workshop! We have three different tiers of our non profit. In order, and not in any specific order, we have an online art gallery which supports artists who may not have a gallery. They are prominent in their craft, have unique stories and an interest in philanthropy. We split the proceeds with these artists if a piece sells on our online gallery.
The other aspect that makes up Everyday Art is our art workshops we offer to various entities. We hosted an event at a local elementary school recently that provided funds for the next piece of our mission.
The online gallery sales, coupled with the proceeds from art workshops, ultimately go towards the philanthropy piece of Everyday Art. We assemble art kits that contain a canvas, paints, paint brushes, and a card that describes our mission to local rehabilitation centers/hospitals that can distribute art kits to those in need of creative art therapy. Maureen and Katie believe, wholeheartedly, that everyone is uplifted by an arts and crafts experience – something patients can be proud of and show off to their friends and families. And art kits are not limited to patients; a mother of a teenage MS patient may want a moment to herself to unwind and create. A sister of an autistic child may need a retrieve in their otherwise chaotic life.
What matters most to you?
Our mission is to enrich and uplift the community by providing a space for diverse artistic expression. We are dedicated to supporting emerging artists as well as individuals with various diagnoses and disabilities that turn to art for recovery and rehabilitation. Everyday Art will support emerging artists and community workshops that encourage creative expression. By making art accessible, the community will have a place to purchase art and support the Every Day Artist.
We are proud to offer various outlets for the Everyday Artist to thrive, resulting in funds to distribute art kits that can change the mood of someone’s day, maybe even their outlook on life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.everydayartgallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayartgallery?igsh=OGFyaDUxOTJjaXE1&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AzHfWiBqw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@everydayartgallery?_t=ZP-8uPHVK2DV8x&_r=1
