Creativity + Positive Social Action

Art4All Pittsburgh started with a conversation . . . 

. . .  between the executive directors of Artsmiths of Pittsburgh and Handmade Arcade. Both Kate McGrady (Artsmiths) and Tricia Brancolini-Foley (Handmade Arcade) felt a deep sense of loss in their creative worlds as social distancing, closed businesses and schools, and canceled events became the new normal during the COVID19 shutdown.

As they thought more about families confined in their homes, they wanted to find a way to help these kids manage and express their feelings by creating art. Together they decided to start the Art4All movement where volunteers can create craft kits that can be distributed through organizations that are serving lunches or working with kids. 

Together Kate and Tricia designed easily replicated kits and safety procedures allowing others to create and distribute kits. Working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, the first distribution of 190 kits were given to families in Carnegie, PA on April 15, 2020. On May 4, more than 100 journal kits were distributed during lunch pickup to elementary school students in the Brentwood Borough School District.

The goal of Art4All Pittsburgh is to create a process whereby not only will we create and distribute kits, but others will be able to duplicate the process and serve their own communities. Through donations of materials and time and a safe handling process, Art4All Pittsburgh hopes to encourage creativity through making art. Art4All craft kit making and distribution will continue after life returns to “normal,” with the goal of inspiring creativity through art and making.

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” – Albert Einstein