Past Projects and Events
Proud of our past. Looking toward our future.
On July 2, 2019 we brought Broadway to campers at Camp Sunrise including performers like Jena VanElslander (King Kong), Thayne Jasperson (Hamilton), Chloë Campbell (King Kong), Gabby Sorrentino (Hamilton) and Taylor MacMahon. The day was filled with workshops, teaching the campers everything from Hip Hop to Team Building! Camp Sunrise is an amazing organization that allows kids with cancer and their siblings to experience the joys of summer camp.
To round out a great year, on December 14, 2018 we released our very first holiday album, “The Best Time of Them All”. Produced by Katie’s Art Project Board Member, Marcus Paul James, featuring an original song by him as well. The album also featured each of our singles released in 2018, and a cover of “Deck the Halls” featuring Javier Muñoz, Antuan Magic Raimone, Chloë Campbell, Rickey Tripp and Brandon Schneider.
In the Fall of 2018 we began offering 1-on-1 Projects to pair fine artists with patients to create last legacies through art. These projects allow the patient and artist to meet on multiple occasions to work on a project that results in a piece of artwork made with the patient. We have been fortunate enough to have Roddy Wildeman and Amanda Hawthorne work with patients at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
During the Summer of 2018, Jimmie “JJ” Jeter and Gabriella Sorrentino of Hamilton met patient, Elena at La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago. They quickly wrote “It’s Beautiful (Elena’s Song)” to capture the beauty of the day, inspired by Elena’s positivity. The song was released featuring Elena’s voice on September 16, 2018.
Visit our Music is Medicine page to listen to the single and watch the music video.
Throughout the month of August 2018, Philip Markle (Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Comedy Collective), met with teens at New York Presbyterian’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York to teach a three week series of improv acting. It was clear that the teens loved every minute of the workshop, and we are excited to expand upon this collaboration in the future.
In 2017, Clara Thomson, our Campus Chapter Director, met patient Charlie Thomas via Skype. It was then that she learned about his love of wolves, and his strength which inspired her to write a song, Strong Like Me. The song and album artwork capture Charlie’s spirit, and we are so happy to be able to share Clara’s song with the world. We were fortunate to collaborate with Grammy Award-Winning Producer Derik Lee and his friends at Likeminds Studio. The song was released on August 12, 2018 in honor of Charlie’s Birthday. In addition, thanks to our partnership with Grant a Guitar, we were able to surprise Charlie with his very own acoustic guitar!
Visit our Music is Medicine page to listen to the single and watch the music video.
In March of 2018, Janet Krupin (If/Then, Bring it On, Hands on Hardbody) met patient, Rose at a hospital in New York City. They spent the day together; singing, dancing, banging the drums, and Rose was filled with energy. On July 25th, 2018 ‘Go’ was released to spread Rose’s positive and colorful message with the world.
[the art project] 2018
On July 23rd, 2018 over 200 patrons of the arts came together in Tribeca at the beautiful new venue Town Stages to support Katie’s Art Project. We had over 36 pieces of art on display and for sale, a silent auction featuring the work of renowned set designers David Korins, and a wide gamut of raffles available. The event featured a VIP reception keynote and choreography of Marinda Davis, performances by Casey Jamerson and Dariel Cadette, a viewing of Jon Rua’s Found Tonight, Keynote by David Korins, and our founder Stephanie Klemons.
Following [the art project] 2017, Casey Jamerson (Bring It On) and Lea Beiley met patient Adeswa Alekwe at Stony Brook University Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital on Long Island. Together they wrote a song, and captured Addy’s voice to be incorporated into the recording. On January 12, 2018 we released ‘Home’, which was Addy’Although Addy is no longer physically with us, her voice was captured and her words live on through the music. In the words of Addy we ask that you, “Be who you are. Be yourself, and never underestimate yourself.”
Visit our Music is Medicine page to listen to the single and watch the music video.
[the art project] 2017
On July 23rd, 2017 nearly 100 creators of art gathered on the Lower East Side at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture to celebrate the creation of art. The event allowed 10 young artists to display and sell their work. We had 18 pieces and serval of them have found new homes. All proceeds from this event benefitted our new partnership with Music is Medicine.
Gallery Night
In collaboration with “The Active Theater” a non-profit supporting the creation of new theater and new careers in theater in NYC, Katie’s Art Project produced a one night art gallery, after which [the art project] is modeled.We raised $3000 from the sale of art and sponsorship and half of that money was returned directly to the artist community in New York by paying the artist and still allowing them to give back through donation. The event was held in the now defunct 2nd floor restaurant on the Lower East Side. We look forward to creating a legacy that lasts by bringing [the art project] to New York twice a year and then to other cities as we expand.
Broadway Week at Sunrise
Along with Broadway in South Africa and R.Evolucion Latina, Katie’s Art Project brought Broadway performers to Sunrise Day Camp, a camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. For two consecutive years the performers and kids spent a week creating dances and performing songs to make memories that will last a lifetime. Funding for the program came in part from the Broadway Broadcasts Hope benefit and Sunrise sponsors.
