GIVING BACK
"Waugh is committed to supporting and making a difference to each of the organizations he has chosen in the best way he knows how...through his art."
Waugh is the recipient of the Guinness World Record for the "Largest Painting created on canvas by one artist". 41,400 sq. ft.
The following is a list of just a few of the charitable organizations that Eric has helped through his art over the past 28 years.
Musicounts
The American Heart Association
Pink in the City
S.A.V.E.
Strangers in the Night Foundation
Camp Heartland / One Heartland
Camp Hometown Heroes
Starlight Children's Foundation
The Larry King Cardiac Foundation
The Boy Scouts of Brooklyn
The Multiple Sclerosis Society
Unicef
Gilda's Club
Meals on Wheels
Give Kid's the World
Camp Oasis
The Just For Kids Foundation
Crohns and Colitis Foundation
The American Cancer Society
Project Angel Heart
Emunah Women of Montreal
Miriam Foundation
100 Club of Chicago
EDIN-The Eating Disorders Information Network
Cleveland Scholarship Program
Atlanta Zoo
SOS-Share Our Strength
Alliance of AIDS Services
Montreal Jewish General Hospital
Montreal Children's Hospital
The Kids Help Phone Organization
Montreal Hope and Cope
Prevent Blindness Georgia
Mercy Foundation
Cosumnes River College Foundation
Elk Grove Community Services
Wood's Home Foundation Calgary
Reach for the Rainbow Foundation
The McGill University AIDS Center
Dolphin Aid Canada
The Mack Belson Foundation
Leukaemia and Lymphoma Foundation and many more International and local charities in his community.
Eric Waugh is committed to making a difference
Overwhelmed by his increasing popularity and the consistently growing appreciation of his artwork, Eric has always felt the need to give something back. As a father of three sons, Alex, Andrew, and Matthew, Eric chooses to contribute to causes that are close to his heart: children.
Eric started his fine art career in 1988 but it was not until the summer of 1995 when he felt that his art could make a difference to those in need.
It was June of 1995, Waugh had seen a documentary on CBS television called “Angelie's Secret”. This inspiring story was of a young girl infected with AIDS who found the courage to reveal her secret to the community in which she lived. She was able to make this difficult step with the help of “Camp Heartland”. Founded by a then 22 year old, Neil Willenson in 1993.
Camp Heartland is a summer camp solely devoted to children and their siblings who are affected if not infected by HIV and AIDS. Waugh was so impressed by Neil Willenson's efforts that he decided to support Camp Heartland in any way he could.
The next day, Waugh contacted Top Art Inc. to discuss the possibility of publishing a special work of art into a fine art poster with all of the proceeds going to Camp Heartland. Top Art was behind the idea 100%.
On August 26, 1995, Waugh visited Camp Heartland in Wisconsin to meet Neil and his supporters and of course the children. Eric presented Neil with a check and an original painting dedicated to Neil’s efforts and to establish the beginning of a hopefully long relationship between Camp Heartland and Eric Waugh.
When Waugh returned to his studio after an unforgettable weekend at the camp, he proceeded to create a special painting titled “Hero”. This unique embracing image was published in Italy and was launched in March of 1996 in New York City at the Top Art and Progressive Editions booth at the New York Art Expo. It was being distributed throughout the World by Top Art Inc. but has since been discontinued.
In April of 1996, Waugh had an idea to create “The World’s Largest Painting” to bring attention to the “Hero” poster. After working on the 41,400 Sq. ft. painting for five years, Eric unveiled the Massive work of art on World AIDS day Dec 1st, 2001 at the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Since that inspiring night back in June of 1995, Eric has donated his time or art to dozens of other children's charities including, Reach for the Rainbow Foundation, Camp Oasis, The Just for Kids Foundation, The McGill University AIDS Center and numerous local charities in his community.
Recently Eric was honored by the state of New York with a proclamation. The city's of Brooklyn and New York City also presented Eric with a special proclamation dedicated to his fundraising efforts on behalf of children in need.
Waugh is committed to supporting and making a difference to each of the organizations he has chosen in the best way he knows how...through his art.