Giving Back
From ME to WE
Art can make people look.
Creativity can make people connect.
And when you put the two together, something good can happen.
The Jamie Carragher Disruptive for The Owen McVeigh Foundation, Liverpool
Dollarsandart began as my own creative outlet during a pretty challenging chapter of my life. Art became my salvation — a way to make sense of things, find purpose and, eventually, build something of my own.
But somewhere along the way, the journey changed.
ME became WE.
I realised that the energy, creativity, connections and opportunities that had helped me could also be shared with other people, communities and causes.
Sugar Ray Leonard Disruptives for Kidneys for life in Chester, U.K
So giving back has become a big part of the Dollarsandart story.
Not because I have a grand plan for changing the world. Simply because if you have something that can help, why wouldn't you use it?
Art with a purpose
Over the years I've donated artwork, created fundraising pieces, supported golf days, delivered creative workshops, introduced people and organisations, spoken at events and helped turn ideas into experiences.
The John Terry disruptive for The Red Eagle Foundation
Sometimes the artwork itself has raised money. Sometimes it's been the conversation around the artwork. Sometimes it's been about getting people together. And sometimes it's simply been about giving somebody a reason to have a go.
The Sugar Ray disruptive part 2 going to Derek Redmond for Cure Leukaemia
That's where my Engage : Create : Facilitate philosophy really comes into its own.
ENGAGE
People. Causes. Communities. Companies.
Find the common ground, make the connection and get people involved.
CREATE
Artworks, stories, experiences, workshops and ideas that give people something to connect with.
FACILITATE
Bring the right people together, create the environment and help turn an idea into something real.
That's Dollarsandart giving back.
Some of the causes along the way
My charitable work has taken many forms and supported a wonderfully diverse collection of people and causes — from children and families to veterans, health, disability, animal welfare, community projects and wellbeing.
❤️ Health & wellbeing
North West Cancer Research
Art donations and golf day activation supporting cancer research across the North West.
North West Air Ambulance Charity
Art donation and golf course activation as part of a fundraising golf day.
British Heart Foundation
Creative workshops with students and staff at Coleg Cambria, helping create the Best of British collection and exploring how the resulting artwork could support fundraising.
Joining Jack
A particularly important early Dollarsandart relationship. A percentage of artwork sales supported the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, contributing around £2,500 to the cause.
CHICS – Children with Cancer Support Group
Donated a limited-edition Superman print which was auctioned at Carden Park, raising £800 to support families affected by childhood cancer.
Finding Your Feet
Created a dedicated piece within the Heroes & Villains collection inspired by the incredible story of quadruple amputee Corinne Hutton. Fundraising activity around the work raised £1,500.
Kidneys for Life
Supported fundraising activity through art and creative collaboration, including a disruptive artwork created for a great cause.
Children, young people & families
Red Eagle Foundation
Art donation and golf day activation supporting its work with children.
Amy and Friends
Ongoing artwork donations, including work donated for the Azure Valerie's Summer Ball.
Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs
Creative and fundraising activity supporting children with special educational needs in Dubai.
Laureus
Fundraising support and creative contributions, including a James Bond-themed golf activation.
Acts of Kindness UK
Supported fundraising activity and helped promote a charity poker event digitally, with Dollarsandart artwork involved in the fundraising.
Community, inclusion & recovery
HMP Berwyn, Wrexham
Perhaps one of the most important chapters in the Dollarsandart story.
Over eight workshop weeks, I worked with residents and staff to create a collective community artwork exploring identity and values.
The experience became the Dance of Life collection and helped reinforce something that has stayed with me ever since:
Self-worth isn't exclusive to any one group of people.
The project became a pivotal moment in the journey from ME to WE, and ultimately helped shape the direction of my work around Art for Wellbeing.
Dollars and Art +1
Rotary International
Guest speaking and creative engagement in Dubai, including the Deira branch.
Carly Booth / British Learning Disability Powerlifting
Supported Carly's golf day through artwork and fundraising activity.
Greatwood Charity
Fundraising consultant supporting Art & Golf Days for an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people through its work with horses.
And the journey continues...
The list above is only a snapshot.
Over the years there have been artworks donated, golf days supported, workshops delivered, introductions made, causes championed and plenty of conversations that started with:
“I've got an idea...”
Some became paintings.
Some became events.
Some became partnerships.
Some simply became good memories.
And that's exactly how I like it.
Because Dollarsandart isn't really about giving art away. It's about using art, energy, creativity, relationships and a little bit of madness to help good people do good things.
From ME to WE
My own journey with art started with simply trying to find my way.
Today, I'm fortunate enough to use that experience to help other people find theirs.
Whether that's through an artwork, a creative workshop, a fundraising activation, a golf day, a community project or simply connecting the right people at the right time...
I'm still creating.
I'm still connecting.
I'm still facilitating.
And hopefully, along the way, I'm making a little bit of a difference.
ENGAGE : CREATE : FACILITATE
That's Dollarsandart.
Art with a story.
Creativity with a purpose.
And a belief that when ME becomes WE, everybody can win. ❤️💰