Our Difference

At Elisa Tucci Contemporary Art, we choose to represent art and artists who do not fit into any particular current trend or fashion, but who are exploring various media, techniques, materials and ideas about humanity and our world that are timeless and transformational.

We believe that art is a gift to be shared, to be given and received with appreciation, respect and awareness. For that reason, we also believe in sharing the profits from the sale of works of art with philanthropic organizations that are dedicated to the healing, enriching and changing the lives of those in need—or those in underserved communities—through experience and engagement with contemporary art.

Currently 5% of the sale of each work of art is donated to supporting the work of the following organizations:

Beyond food, clothing, and shelter, Free Arts NYC believes that children deserve the opportunity to express themselves creatively with the help of a supportive mentor.

Free Arts NYC is a volunteer-based nonprofit established to bring the healing power of the arts to children and families who face poverty, homelessness, and other risk factors. At no cost to the children, families, volunteers, or our collaborating social service agencies.

Free Arts NYC provides programs that are mobile, making it possible for our volunteers to bring creativity and hope directly into the communities where there is the greatest need. Free Arts NYC provides under-served children and families with a unique combination of educational arts and mentoring programs that help them to foster the self-confidence and resiliency needed to realize their fullest potential.

Our core programs use painting, dance, drama, writing, music, sculpture, photography and other creative outlets to help children express themselves and gain confidence and self-esteem. Working with trained volunteers and professional facilitators, Free Arts programs allow young people to gain self-confidence and strengthen their relationships with their peers, parents, guardians and mentors.

Since 1998, founding Director Liz Hopfan has taken the nonprofit from a budget of $100,000 to over $1,400,000. Free Arts NYC volunteers have now served over 22,000 children and families.

For more information about Free Arts NYC or if you would like to become a member, volunteer or donate directly, visit Free Arts NYC.

Transforming the future for Guatemala’s forgotten children

Located in an inspirational setting overlooking Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan Highlands, Niños del Lago is a non-profit humanitarian project designed to transform the lives of Guatemala’s neediest children by providing a creative and educational camp experience.

The goal is to help at-risk children stay in school and succeed in school by extending the work of overburdened orphanages, rural schools for indigenous youth and other institutions that are often unable to provide the motivational and inspirational support these children need to imagine and work toward better future.

Niños del Lago was founded in 2004 to support and extend the work of privately-funded, not-for-profit educational programs created for children who are too poor or have too many special needs to attend/afford government-run schools.

Niños del Lago is a community of support offering healing and hope for children whose daily struggle for survival has robbed them of the ability to learn, play and dream. Niños del Lago takes children out of their stressful and bleak surroundings and transports them to a safe, serene and creative environment for an intensive week of one-on-one mentoring, creative recreational activities and self-esteem building.

Children who demonstrate promise and stay in their school program are invited to return year after year, and are given additional incentives to stay in school and off the streets. Niños del Lago children who demonstrate potential can become camp counselors and will have an opportunity to earn a University Scholarship.

The educational and recreational programs are based on research conducted with at-risk youth which have demonstrated that organized camp experiences help develop a child’s positive self-image and lead to improved attitudes, social skills and behavior.

Ninos del Lago is currently in the development stage.

With the generous support of donors and grantmakers, the camp is scheduled to open to the first group of 100 children in the Summer of 2009.

Nine acres of land have been secured and leased, water wells have been dug, architectural plans have been designed by Holland-based architect, Maarten Van Der Breggen, electrical power lines have been installed, and road construction and landscaping is currently underway as of Summer of 2008.

Fundraising efforts in the United States, Holland and Central America, spearheaded by founder Arlaine Cervantes, are focused on acquiring the capital funds needed to complete the final construction stage of the camp. Once construction complete, resources have been identified to ensure that the camp is self-sustaining.

Joan Tucci Daidone of Elisa Tucci Contemporary Arts serves on the Advisory Board of Ninos del Lago and visited the construction site in the Summer of 2007 to survey ongoing development. She is scheduled to revisit Guatemala at the end of 2008. For additional information on Niños del Lago, and how to make a donation
or volunteer as an Ambassador in your community, visit www.niñosdellago.org