Support a Painter and He will Teach Art Therapy

Hello, my name is Liezel, a college lecturer teaching Reading Visual Arts. I have created this campaign to help my artist-friend, Sherwin Paul Gonzales, put up an art cafe-gallery where he could hold free art therapy classes and also sell his paintings so he could earn continuous transportation funding to art exhibits in Hongkong and Europe where his art works are featured.

It was one mundane afternoon when my friend Sherwin sent me a private message on Messenger, showing a photo of his art works that are displayed in a French exhibit. I researched on the photo source and I found out that he has an artist-friend who is helping him get recognition in the field of visual arts in Europe, introducing the Filipino art called "Tareptepism."

My heart was broken upon seeing his comment on the original Facebook post that if only he had the money, he would like to go to Europe so that he could physically participate in art exhibit where his paintings are displayed and admired by art enthusiasts and fellow artists.

Whenever I look at Sherwin and his magnificent paintings he temporarily shelf at my house, I feel sorry for him that despite the fact that he is an outstanding painter and an intelligent person (he is a registered nurse, a psychologist, a teacher, and a sociologist) rolled in one, he is not translating his artistic and intellectual capabilities into a decent financial stature. He is an epitome of a "starving artist" here in the Philippines.

I thought of starting a campaign for Sherwin to help him generate funds so that we could build an art gallery for him, where he can display and sell his art works. And eventually, he could also have a more consistent income source so that he can fly abroad whenever and wherever his paintings are featured.

To pay forward, he shall be holding FREE ART THERAPY CLASSES since he is a psychologist and a teacher. Art therapy improves the mental health of people who are dealing with addictions, anxiety, attention disorders, grief and loss, dementia, depression, eating disorders, physical illness, PTSD, trauma, relationship issues and much more.

I have created a simple blogsite for Sherwin a few months back to help him promote his art works and hopefully sell as well. Should you donate, I will be updating the blogsite of the status of this campaign so that you can also see where your money goes. To check his sample works, you may visit: https://sherwinpaulgonzales.wordpress.com/

To show our appreciation to those who would donate for this cause, we are contemplating on providing you the following perks:

Bundle 1: 100-500 USD

- 3 e-passes for a free art therapy session with Sherwin (no expiration date)

- Thank You e-mail

Bundle 2: 501 - 1000 USD

- a handmade postcard from Sherwin

- 5 e-passes for a free art therapy session with Sherwin (no expiration date)

- Thank You e-mail

Bundle 3: 1001 USD & above

- a handmade postcard from Sherwin

- a painting (freight to be shouldered by the donor/pick-up at the gallery)

- unlimited e-passes for free art therapy sessions with Sherwin (no expiration date)

- Thank You e-mail