Founded in 2011 by Wendy Ingram, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and an artist, Art Connection-RI is a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization located in Pawtucket Rhode Island. It is unique in New England. Our Mission is to enrich the lives of underpriveleged individuals and families, largely minorities, living in Rhode Island through original art. We do this through our "Connecting Lives with Art" program, in which we provide nonprofit community service organizations in Rhode Island with access to ownership of original works of art at no cost, thereby creating warm and inviting spaces for the benefit of the disadvantaged men, women, children, adolescents and teenagers of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds and abilities who these organizations serve.  Local community service organizations such as hospitals, health clinics, child protection agencies and shelters provide vital services to low income, disadvantaged individuals and families, often in premises which are stark. Art Connection-RI believes that beautiful art displayed in an organization’s public spaces provides warmth, comfort and a welcoming environment for an organization's patients or patrons and helps to make some of life's difficult moments easier to endure. There is evidence that art helps to improve the physical and mental health of individuals. From the beginning of our operation through December 31, 2023, we have provided 110 nonprofit service organizations around Rhode Island with 1,832 works of art at no cost, and 116 artists have provided their artwork to us. A second aspect of our Mission to enhance the quality of the lives of Rhode Island's low income, disadvantaged residents is to provide art workshops after school and during school vacations for children and adolescents who are largely from the low income, minority communities around our state. Our goal with this program is to introduce children and youths to the world of art and hopefully stimulate and inspire them while they are having fun. We have sponsored this program since 2017 and have supported these workshops in Providence, Pawtucket and Newport.