Our Difference

At Elisa 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 a portion of sale of each work of art is donated to supporting the work of the following organizations:

Free Arts NYC

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.

quote by Lisa Cooper

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 32,000 children and families. Nearly 50% of those served are currently living in a shelter.

During this recent, COVID-19 Pandemic, Free Arts NYC is working with 13 New York City partner sites and shelters to deliver art supplies and engaging interactive activity packets for kids and families through June.

For more information about Free Arts NYC or if you would like to become a member, volunteer or donate directly or to learn more about their Annual Benefit in April, visit Free Arts NYC.

The Art Therapy Project

The Art Therapy Project is dedicated to helping trauma survivors through the creative process. Centered around challenges of Family, Violence and Health, we are the only nonprofit in New York providing guided art therapy at no cost. We go beyond traditional talk therapy. Our clients and art therapists work together to turn negative energy positive.

Art therapy is the process of transforming traumatic energy through the creation of art. It uniquely combines art and psychology to explore problems and potentials of individuals and provides an opportunity for an individual to “revisit” rather than “re-live” traumatic experiences. Art therapy can be an effective treatment for reaching traumatized individuals, many of whom have been unable to progress with traditional talk therapy. It uses the power of the creative process as a vehicle for healing, communication, self-expression and personal development.

At the heart of The Art Therapy Project’s mission is the desire to dramatically improve the quality of lives for people who have experienced trauma. The Art Therapy Project provides hope for what many consider to be the most difficult populations to treat.

The Art Therapy Project offers its services to marginalized populations including women and men veterans and sexual assault survivors as well as at-risk youth including those who are in the foster care system, court-involved and growing up in violent, underserved communities.

Since 2012, The Art Therapy Project has provided free art therapy to more than 4,000 clients. Program Partners include:

PROGRAM PARTNERS include:

  • Arab-American Family Support Center
  • Avenues for Justice
  • Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture
  • Bronx Vet Center
  • Children’s Village
  • Crime Victims Treatment Center
  • CUNY
  • Educational Alliance
  • Gay Men's Health Crisis
  • Good Shepherd Services
  • Graham Windham
  • Harlem Vet Center
  • John Jay College for Criminal Justice
  • Manhattan VA Hospital
  • Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center
  • Mount Sinai Beth Israel Chemical Dependency Program
  • Mt. Pleasant Blythedale UFSD
  • New Alternatives for Children
  • New Destiny Housing
  • New York Presbyterian Hospital
  • NYU Military Family Clinic
  • Publicolor
  • Rachel’s Place
  • Riverside Coming Home & Xavier Mission
  • WTC Environmental Health Center at Bellevue

  • During the COVID-19 crisis, The Art Therapy Project moved quickly to help their clients navigate the stress and uncertainty around the pandemic as socially isolated people are less able to handle stressful situations and are at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse and cognitive decline. They currently have five weekly groups running online. These 90-minute tele-art therapy sessions serve some their highest risk clients including veterans, survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence and the LGBQT community

    You can learn more about The Art Therapy Project’s work and how you can help at thearttherapyproject.org